What To Buy In South Africa

what to buy in south africa
Josiah
Josiah 
Published
| 5 min read

South Africa boasts countless attractions and many things to do. South Africa has become a favorite destination for travelers looking to relax and experience the rich African culture, especially fashion, food, and drinks. The food in South Africa is heavenly. Here you can enjoy unique cuisines that have been prepared from fresh ingredients grown in the fertile South African soil. A nice meal should be accompaniment by a special drink, and that’s why South Africa is putting a lot of effort into manufacturing drinks from scratch. There is a lot to explore here, but in case you are wondering what to buy in South Africa, read through this article to discover items you can’t miss.

1. Veldskoen leather shoes

Three's a crowd and we LOVE it!

Posted by Veldskoen Shoes on Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Have you ever been to an expedition involving a lot of strolling like in hiking or mountain climbing? Although the experience may be exhilarating, such adventures are no place for shoe failures, hence there is a need to equip yourself with the right footwear. Veldskoen is a trusted leather shoe brand that has been around for years and it is guaranteed to get you through even the toughest terrains. One place where you can get original Veldskoen leather shoes is in South Africa where the manufacturing company is based. Besides being tough, the shoe is also stylish, and it looks excellent when paired with fitting pants.

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2. Esona wine


Esona is a Xhosa word meaning “the very one” and Esona Wineries in the heart of Robertson Wine Valley lives up to that standard with its outstanding range of wines. The wines here are made with passion from fresh and locally sourced grapes. Before buying a bottle for your special occasion, it is advisable to start by sampling the variety of vintage wines at the underground cellar. The wine-tasting is accompanied by music, great foods, and a short tour of the vineyards to understand the magic involved in making quality wines. After you’ve decided on what to buy, you can now head out fully equipped and ready to make a toast with the best of South African wine.

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3. Darling Sweet toffee


Everybody needs a little sugar sometimes, and there is no better way to get your sweet fix than with Darling Sweet toffees and toffee spreads. Darling Sweet toffees are widely coveted in and beyond South Africa for their flavor, authenticity, and uniqueness. Even though there is a variety of toffees to choose from, Tannie Evita’s Classic is a favorite choice for many customers, and so you can give it a try to see if it’s the right fit for you. Alternatively, you can sample a variety of other flavors, including the honey and salt, red wine and chocolate, and the Bird’s Eye Chili if you like spices.

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4. Pienaar and Son craft gin

We’ve been running a special at the distillery that sees you pick up this beautiful family of 3 for only R 1 000. We...

Posted by Pienaar & Son Distilling Co. on Friday, 28 December 2018

Another great item to include in your shopping cart when visiting South Africa is Pienaar and Son craft gin. The distillery is found in Cape Town, just walking distance from the parliament building. Pienaar and Son’s range of spirits are smooth, high-quality, and handcrafted with science and art hence their outstanding flavors. The gins are spectacular; they are made from rectified spirits and packed with a variety of natural spices including citrus, mandarin orange, and sweet vanilla for better results. Although you can get the products onsite and online, they are still available in the local liquor stores so choose your pickup point depending on the most convenient location.

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South Africa Tour Guide

Jakes

Jakes

Jakes is registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding. He is competent to advise clients on all essential aspects of travel in South Africa having passed the SA Specialist course from South African Tourism. As a good story teller, he makes any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes him to stand out as a knowledgeable and exciting guide. “I’m always attempting to assist and improve the environment, motivating communities to protect nature in order to create a sustainable eco-system, and to protect all species for future generations. My love for nature and history brought me to the most beautiful and spectacular places in South Africa, and that is where I want to take my tourists as well.”

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South Africa Tour Guide

Thabang Molefe

Thabang Molefe

My name is Thabang Molefe, Director/ Owner of Tsalanang Travel & Tours. I’m a qualified National Tourist Guide in South Africa, born and breast fed in Johannesburg. I have worked in the sports & events industry where I discovered my passion for traveling, and later worked with some of the TOP destination management/operators in South Africa. I love meeting people, and exchanging knowledge, I’m an outgoing person who loves discovering and learning about history, culture and nature. As part of my value standard, I always try to change the way “the world” perceive certain parts of South Africa and Africa as a hole. I have traveled the southern African region extensively and speak various South African languages. Looking forward to meet you on one of my tours.

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South Africa Tour Guide

Denis Kilumbila

Denis Kilumbila

5. Indalo bags

Posted by Indalo Decor on Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Ladies love bags–and not just any kind of bag but beautiful and durable bags. In this light, Indalo presents an array of handbags, backpacks, and clutch bags that you can surprise your wife, mother, or daughter with once you come home from a visit to South Africa. Indalo Bags have great value for money; in this regard, the bags are made from some of the best leather and wood in Africa and are handcrafted from scratch to ensure the end product is perfect. You will have a wide range of bags to choose from. You can cherish this bag for years to come.

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6. Protea ring

Friday: Meadowlark ring
Source: Photo by user Sarah-Rose used under CC BY-SA 2.0

To achieve perfection in any product, you must balance aesthetic beauty, durability, and functionality. Protea’s range of rings combines these features with one of South Africa’s key treasures, the diamond. Diamond is an essential component in their manufacture because it symbolizes lifelong commitment, which is vital for any lasting relationship. In addition, the rings feature different designs suitable for various occasions such as weddings, engagements, and friendship celebrations. If the available designs are not up to your standard, they can still be customized to fit the customer’s budget and preference. So it is advisable to make your order in good time to ensure the ring is made exactly as envisioned.

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7. Shine Shine fabrics and accessories

SAWA x SHINE SHINE ?? AVAILABLE APRIL 20Th MADE IN AFRICA SINCE 2009 SUCKERS NEVER WEAR ME

Posted by SAWA SHOES on Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Are you a big fan of African fabrics and wear? Well, fabrics are not new in many parts of Africa. In South Africa, fabrics have been used for ages to tell stories, pass life teachings, and commemorate important occasions in society. One of the most reliable fabric brands in South Africa is Shine Shine. Their fabrics draw inspiration from African culture but are made using modern technologies to ensure a perfect blend of quality and beauty. Shine Shine designs are not limited to clothes alone as you can buy other fabrics and accessories, including cushions, beach towels, backpack, aprons, and caps.

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8. Rusk

Ouma Rusks bowl
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Discott used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Besides their usage as baby teething food, rusks are also great snacks that can be taken with tea or coffee. In South Africa, rusks have been around since the 1960s and the tradition continues even today with many food outlets serving these fresh-baked biscuits. Rusks are great snacks, especially when traveling long distances, as in the case of road trips because they are usually double-baked and dried to preserve them in case your refrigeration system breaks. Indeed there are different flavors in South Africa, but buttermilk rusks are more popular than the rest. Therefore, if you are planning a road trip with your family, buttermilk rusks would be the perfect treat for kids.

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9. Amarula

Amarula Gold 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bainsyrowik used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The marula trees are not common in many places around the world. Besides the soil and weather, many farmers shy away from growing the plant because it bears fruits once a year, which may not be feasible in areas without a good market. In South Africa, the plant is widely grown mainly for the production of Amarula, a refreshing drink with a unique velvety taste. Elephants love the marula tree. In fact, their ripening is marked by an increasing number of elephants attracted to the farms by their sweet aroma. This gives tourists a chance to admire and interact with elephants. So, by buying Amarula, you will be supporting a noble cause which aims to eradicate poaching and ivory trade in Africa.

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10. Rooibos tea

{ Hot tea }
Source: Photo by user •● Atelier Encant... used under CC BY 2.0

Rooibos is a plant that grows well in Fynbos. The plant is gaining popularity in other parts of the world for the numerous health benefits attributed to Rooibos Tea. According to research, Rooibos tea has a wide array of minerals that help to reduce weight, prevent diabetes, boost skin health, reduce pain caused by inflammations, and strengthen bones. Clearly, you cannot claim to have explored South Africa if you have not sampled this hidden gem. The tea is widely available in many South African shops and fast food joints. You can decide to sample the recipe in the café or buy it from supermarkets.

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Fantastic souvenirs from South Africa

Evidently, there is a lot to explore in South Africa, and with the variety of foods, clothes, drinks, and other souvenirs in the market, it can be quite confusing to decide what to buy. For starters, consider the amazing finds in this article and look out for more items that we may post in the future. Keep your eyes peeled for these great souvenirs on your amazing trip to South Africa.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Josiah Ndung'u is a Mechanical Engineering graduate and a travelling enthusiast who loves networking with new people, learning new cultures, having fun (especially at the beach), and sampling new...Read more

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