11 Things You Can Only Buy in South Africa

The veldskoen, or vellies as they’re more endearingly known, is a staple in many South African wardrobes. From the traditional style to trendy, designer pairs, these well-made leather shoes will support feet while walking many miles. They’re durable, typical of South Africa, and suit pretty much any outfit. They’re a must-have when visiting the bush. Pick up a pair from Sapmok either online or at their brick and mortar store in Menlopark, Pretoria. The brand sells locally produced shoes for both men and women and in a few different styles and colours ranging from tan to yellow.

Sapmok, 69 Thomas Edison St, Menlopark, Pretoria, South Africa

The popular veldskoen is a unisex favourite | Courtesy of Sapmok

A holiday in South Africa is synonymous with balmy weather and loads of sunshine, so it’s only appropriate to have a fashionable hat to complete an ensemble. Simon and Mary creates hats using machinery bought in the 1960s and their range includes many different styles suitable to both men and women. Established in 1935 in South Africa, the brand is the leading wool felt hat manufacturer in the country and has a history in headwear stretching over 70 years.

SIMON and MARY, 18 Lower Germiston Road, Johannesburg South, South Africa

The brand’s hats come in all shapes and sizes | Courtesy of Simon and Mary

Visiting a South African wine farm is a must, but why not pop into a boutique wine estate next time? Taste wines not readily available in supermarkets plus meet the makers while there. Situated in the Robertson Wine Valley, Esona, meaning ‘the very one’ in Xhosa, is a young winery with lots on offer. Their beautifully labelled bottles immediately attract interest, but what fills them even more so. The first Esona wine was released in 2010 and since then, the offering has expanded to include a tasting room and deli, perfect for spending lazy days sipping on delicious wines.

Esona Wine, Route R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale, Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa

Wine tasting in the Cape is a must-have experience | © Matthieu Joannon/Unsplash

Dress up tech items with a biodegradable laptop sleeve from Wren Design. Starting off by using found materials such as coffee sacks, founder Wendren Setzer quickly became aware of incorporating a sustainable approach to her design method. Today, many of the products are made using treated paper, and the most popular are those manufactured from PPC cement bags. There are over 40 items for sale including laptop sleeves, handbags, and shopping bags.

Wren Design Studio, 10 Rhodesia Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa

Courtesy of Wren Design

Darling Sweet, most famous for their handcrafted toffee, has become a well-known brand for those with a sweet tooth. Their toffees are available in many flavours including bird’s eye chili, red wine, and chocolate and sour fig. Their range has grown to include other products such as honey and toffee spread, and none has any added artificial colourants, flavourings, or preservatives. The Darling Sweet head office is situated in Lang Street, Darling on the Cape West Coast, and is worth a visit when in the area. Alternatively, their products are found at many craft and food markets as well as online.

Darling Sweet, 7 Lang Street, Darling, South Africa

Darling Sweet on sale at the Linden Market in Johannesburg | Courtesy of The Linden Market

Pienaar and Son, a small craft distillery in Cape Town, is run by a father-and-son team who creates top quality spirits with a local twist. Their Empire gin is made from South African maize and infused with flavours of citrus while the Orient gin boasts sweet vanilla and mandarin orange notes. Distillery tours and tastings are available by appointment, so plan ahead and make sure to stop by.