Shopping in Garden Route

Arts and Crafts

Art and craft is flourishing in South Africa, and always has. South Africans are a highly artistic people and create a remarkable range of beautiful traditional handicrafts. The markets and pavements and rural enclaves are full of their wares.

That's not to say that there's nothing new on the craft scene in South Africa. The inventive artists have adapted every possible medium for their creations, catering to local as well as international buyers. Talented craftsmen are constantly expanding their range of offerings which include things big and small - from Christmas tree decorations, exquisite tableware, and fabulous embroidered fabrics to key chains and candle holders.

Shopping along The Garden Route, travellers will find markets, shops and collectives that stock African crafts. These are an important source of employment and income for various communities in the country. There's the Fugitive's Drift in KwaZulu-Natal, with its huge collection of basketry, and the Northern Cape Schmidtsdrift community consisting of displaced San people who produce imaginative paintings that remind one of ancient cave art.

From Traditional to Commercial

African society has always had highly skilled artisans. The famous South African bead-work, which was once monopolised by tribal royalty, is now used to make beautiful covers for all kinds of items from bottles to matchboxes. Zulu bead-work known as Zulu love letters spread awareness about AIDS with the typical red ribbons representing this disease.

The coveted creations of the masters of traditional basketry and ceramics grace gallery plinths, and also the shelves of suburban supermarkets.

Amidst the plethora of creative offerings, you will find styles from across the continent, whether they are masks, carved chairs, embroidered fabric, or applique work. So much here vies for your attention. Many merchants and organisations have also taken to selling their crafts online.

South African Shopping

Not only do South Africans like to create and sell their creations, they also love to shop. You can find large shopping centres in all the towns and cities of South Africa. These South African shopping centres are packed with a huge range of shopping outlets - from giant chain stores to small speciality boutiques, and you are sure to find anything you want. However, these huge malls have not edged out the street shops in South Africa's suburbs, or the flea markets found in all major centres.

Even the streets and pavements offer a varied and interesting South African shopping experience. Hawkers and craftsmen sell their wares at traffic intersections, minibus taxi ranks, along the main thoroughfares, and inner city pavements. On offer are items like sweets, fruit, home furnishing, and elaborate sculptures.

The selling does not stop in the cities and towns. The country's rural regions have their farm stalls, arts and crafts markets and more.

In short, South Africa is a great place for shopping, especially because of its favourable exchange rate.

Crafty Buys

Garden Route shops offer many local arts and crafts and will be your best buys in South Africa. You can pick up beautiful basket ware, bead-work, pots, as well as embroidered and carved goods from art and craft centres and roadside stalls everywhere.

For community arts and crafts, head for the Eskom Due South Craft Route which has on sale goods from all parts of the country. It is also a valuable source of information about places in South Africa that are off the beaten path.

Fashion and Finery

South Africa's modern clothing industry manufactures high fashion garments as well as fine safari clothing and sportswear. What's more, all the clothing is reasonably priced.

If you're looking for high fashion, designers here tend towards a fusion of classical European, and African trends. There are designs that have a subtle African touch and others that are more pronounced in their native look. Some of these are highly unusual, even odd, and you could take home something very exclusive.

South Africa is the best place to buy essential safari gear before you make for the bush. The fact that safari clothing is made with an eye for farmers and game rangers (rather than for the passing tourist) adds to the durability of the garments.

For those who have a weakness for precious jewellery, South Africa is the ideal place to shop. The country contributes a large share to the world's collection of gold, platinum, and diamonds, and you can get a piece of jewellery custom-made for you.

At the jeweller's, the designer will present you with various sketches for your jewellery, while you sip some sparkling wine and gaze out over the mines where your treasure came from.

Flea Markets, Factory Shops

Try the little craft markets (every town has one), and the city flea markets where you can find unusual garments, some even handmade, various crafts, jewellery,knick -knacks for your home, and all sorts of collectibles. And when you're exhausted and famished from all that shopping, there's always delicious deli food at cut rate prices nearby.