Gifts for Africa

Even though our editorial team didn’t cross many borders this year, we still managed to get outside, explore, and have some fun. Here’s our wish list for Christmas – mostly local products perfect for having a good time inside and outside in 2021!

1 EcoNation car bin

The inside of your vehicle tends to get messy on a road trip.

Keep things tidy and save on the use of plastic with this bin. It’s locally made from upcycled and re-covered advertising billboards and comes in a variety of colourful prints like shweshwe, as well as plain leatherette. Each bin has an adjustable strap and buckle clip so you can attach it to a headrest or gear lever. It’s 22 cm high with a circumference of 47 cm.

When you stop to refuel at a filling station, simply empty your car bin and give it a wipe with a damp cloth, if necessary.

R150 econation.co.za

2 Bird Nerd notebook and pencils

This softcover notebook set is just the thing for the twitcher in your life to record that special bird sighting or to use as a journal. Add a personal touch by having the recipient’s name embossed on the 12 pencils and notebook. R275 lovelettersstationery.co.za

3 The Wren Design travel folder

Keep your money, bank cards, passport and cellphone together in one beautiful pouch. This product is made from reclaimed cement-bag paper, fused onto cotton to strengthen it, and treated to make it water-resistant.

It’s durable and won’t let you down at the border post.

The travel folder (19,5 cm x 11 cm) can hold six bank cards, has two large, flat pockets for notes, and one semi-open pocket for your passport or cellphone. A hidden magnet closure keeps everything secure.

It’s available in various designs – from natural paper and abstract prints to leaf motifs and plain colours. Keep an eye on the website for limited-edition wallets and folders, illustrated by local artists.

From R380 thewrendesign.com

4 Vegepod

If you want to grow your own vegetables and herbs but your home only has a balcony or a small stoep, container gardening is the way to go. The Vegepod is a small greenhouse with built-in mist irrigation and a permeable mesh canopy to protect your crops against pests. The pods are made from food-safe plastic and you can buy a stand to raise them to waist height. Available in different sizes. R2 799 for a small Vegepod

(1 m x 0,5 m) vegepod.co.za

5 Mungo South Kikoi

A kikoi doesn’t take up a lot of space in your travel bag and is handy and versatile: Wear it as a sarong or a scarf, drape it over your shoulders like a shawl when it’s cool, or use it as a towel. This colourful wrap is made from 100 % cotton and is designed and woven right here in South Africa by the

Mungo textile company in Plett. It’s 90 cm x 190 cm and available in a range of colours.

R375 mungo.co.za

6 WaddleOn by Marts socks

Whoever decided that socks are a bad gift has never put on a fun, funky pair of penguin socks! WaddleOn by Marts founder Martine Viljoen is a biologist, SANCCOB first responder and an animal keeper at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. The penguins in her care inspired the four sock designs currently available. R3 of every pair sold goes to SANCCOB in Cape Town. Do it for the penguins!

R120 per pair waddleonsocks.com

7 Catan board game

In Catan, the players are settlers who must grow their villages into cities while expanding their presence on the map. You must trade resources like wood and bricks with your fellow players in order to build things. The negotiations provide heaps of fun: What do you mean you want two bricks for that sheep?! Be warned, though: The game will test relationships between family and friends…

R1 250 takealot.com

8 Skinny laMinx reversible bucket

I keep forgetting to water my plants, but somehow they still manage to look good in these fabric plant holders available in different designs and colours. R200 – R260 skinnylaminx.com

9 Pentel Aquash Brush

I love to paint during the holidays, but it’s a pain to lug paintbrushes around and then have to look for a water container.

Drop one of these cute brushes into your resident artist’s Christmas stocking: It works well with watercolours – just fill the brush with water and start painting!

R84 each (available in different sizes) deckleedge.co.za

10 Everdure portable braai

This beautiful and portable charcoal braai designed by British chef Heston Blumenthal is at the expensive end of my wish list. Not only can I braai my chop on the balcony of my flat, but I can also use it for a weekend away or a picnic. It comes with a built-in chopping board and a storage tray for cutlery or food.

R2 999 yuppiechef.com