Shopping in Africa
-
A
Artisant El Koutoubia
Mood lighting is a Moroccan specialty, and here you have it: turquoise tadelakt (polished plaster) table lamps to brighten end tables, wall sconces for dramatic entrances, and grand pierced-metal chandeliers to add dazzle to dining. Shipping is tricky, but Aziza will pack purchases for your flight home.
reviewed
-
B
Sun Goddess
The inspiration for Sun Goddess’ range is traditional African culture, but the daring design combinations with modern fabrics and embellishments make them fun and contemporary. The clothes are mainly for women, but there are also some surprisingly groovy, beaded kaftan-style garments and T-shirts for men.
reviewed
-
C
Mouhassin Epices
Take home your own Moroccan culinary and cosmetic secrets from this sweet, straight-dealing merchant of spices and natural remedies. Mouhassin sells good-quality saffron, ras al-hanout spice mix, amber perfume, rosewater and more at reasonable prices - shop here first before you get rooked in the Rahba Kedima.
reviewed
-
Malindi Handicrafts Cooperative
A good place to buy handicrafts is this community project on the outskirts of Malindi. It employs numerous local artisans, and the woodcarvings are of a high quality. To get there, turn off the main road to Mombasa near the BP petrol station; the centre is 2km along a dirt road, opposite the community clinic.
reviewed
-
D
Tawfiqiyya Souq
For fresh fruit and vegetables try Tawfiqiyya Souq. It's open late, and there's an exceptionally good dairy store for ricotta-style cheese and rice pudding (around the corner on Sharia Talaat Harb) plus numerous ba'als, the all-purpose grocers where you can stock up on yogurt, crackers and drinks.
reviewed
-
E
Heartworks
Browse Heartworks’ varied range of crafts, including Wola Nani goods, Mielie bags made in Hout Bay, telephone-wire baskets from Natal, and Mustardseed and Moonshine ceramics. There are also branches in the Gardens Centre and at the Old Biscuit Mill.
reviewed
-
F
Woodwork Shop
One of the last craftsmen left who works entirely by hand (and foot), this elderly gentleman produces cedarwood and thuja boxes often inlaid with lemon wood, photograph frames and games such as dominoes and chessboards. He's particularly proud of his puzzle-boxes - see if you can find out how to open one.
reviewed
-
G
Mademoiselle Ibtissam's Original Design
With handcrafted table accessories this glamorous, you could order takeaway and still wow your guests: rocket ship-red tagine presentation dishes, linen tablecloths with playful pompoms, twin mini-tagines for salt and pepper, tasselled silk napkin holders and more. The fixed prices are already a bargain.
reviewed
-
H
Bachir El Meski
Coin purses, wallets and handbags in all colours abound in this shop (from around DH5). Sandals and round-toed Berber slippers cost around DH30 to around DH100. There are pouffes from around DH55 to around DH300: goatskin is at the upper end of this price range, while tooled camel- and goatskin is Dh150.
reviewed
-
Woza Moya
This centre supports people in nearby local communities with HIV/AIDS. Among its many initiatives (that includes a feeding centre) is an income generation scheme – a wonderful craft shop selling contemporary bead work, Christmas decorations, embroidery and other knick-knacks at reasonable prices.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Sunset Boulevard Shopping Complex
This shopping complex is home to chic boutiques including knitwear specialists Floreal, Maille St and Shibani; Harris Wilson for menswear; and Hémisphère Sud for fabulous leather goods. Cheaper clothing stores, such as Red Snapper and IV Pl@y, concentrate in and around the Super U Hypermarket.
reviewed
-
I
Coin De Henne
This tiny shop stocks medicinal herbs and spices, essential oils, flower waters and perfumes. Si Mohammed el-Amrani sells good honey from the south, and tubs of argan oil-based cream for wrinkles. There's also traditional incense, including gum arabic, sandalwood and frankincense. And wonderful clocks!
reviewed
-
Mwenge Carvers’ Market
This market, opposite the Village Museum, and just off New Bagamoyo Rd, is packed with vendors, and you can watch carvers at work. Take the Mwenge dalla-dalla from New Posta transport stand to the end of the route, from where it’s five minutes on foot down the small street to the left.
reviewed
-
J
Fedac
If you're after local handicrafts, visit the small Fedac shop located with the Cabildo tourist office. Fedac is a government-sponsored nonprofit store, with prices and quality that are a good standard by which to measure those of products sold elsewhere. You'll also get a guarantee with your purchase.
reviewed
-
K
Hassan Fouad
This tiny and incredibly tidy market offers beautifully displayed produce, like grapes from Lebanon and tasty Egyptian mangoes, and a good selection of imported staples like digestive biscuits. There’s no sign in English, so look for the place with artfully stacked fruits and a bright-red sign.
reviewed
-
L
Wola Nani
Wola Nani, Xhosa (isiXhosa) for ‘we embrace and develop each other’, is an NGO that assists those infected with HIV and AIDS. Products on sale here (its head office), and at many other Cape Town craft shops include its label-covered picture frames and papier-mâché bowls.
reviewed
-
M
Boekehuis
A fantastic independent bookshop in an old house with polished wood floors, fireplaces, a garden coffee shop, oh, and a wide range of tomes on literature, politics, history and art including the largest selection of Afrikaans books in Jo’burg. It holds regular readings, book launches and discussions.
reviewed
-
N
Yuba-Cyn Spa
A bit of Bangkok recreated in the centre of Fez, Yuba-cyn has become known for its blissful Thai massages (it was the first spa to offer these in Morocco). There are aromatherapy massages as well. It also offers aromatherapy treatments, hairdressing, manicures, pedicures and waxing for men and women.
reviewed
-
O
Oum El Dounia
At a great central location, Oum El Dounia sells an attractive range of locally made glassware, Bedouin jewellery, cotton clothes, bags, embroidered shawls and light fittings. It also stocks a small range of maps, postcards and English- and French-language books about Cairo and Egypt, as well as CDs.
reviewed
-
P
Iziko Lo Lwazi
What began as an adult literacy program has morphed into a craftwork collective producing creative recycled-paper products from, among other things, elephant, horse and camel dung! The Uxolo range of beaded cards is delightful. You can also see the work at the Hout Bay Craft Market.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Q
Brassware Shop
There are several small metalwork shops in this area. Ali Benjelloun has some good Hand of Fatima doorknockers in the shape of a hand, as well as a flat stylised version. There's another shop (54 Talaa Kebira) that has shiny silver-plated teapots and orange flower water shakers and incense burners.
reviewed
-
Akamba Handicraft Industry Cooperative Society
This cooperative employs an incredible 10,000 people from the local area. It's also a nonprofit organisation and produces very fine animal woodcarving. Kwa Hola/Magongo matatus run right past the gates from the Kobil petrol station on Jomo Kenyatta Ave. Many coach tours from Mombasa also stop here.
reviewed
-
R
Rhubarb Room
Cute gifts – including linen, picture frames, storage boxes, and French and Italian women’s and children’s clothing – plus a café can be found in this Provence–meets–Cape Town boutique on the service street, overlooking the main Buitengracht St.
reviewed
-
S
Fergiani's Bookshop
This terrific bookshop has an excellent selection of Arabic- and English-language books, coffee-table books, fascinating travel literature, modern studies of Libya, a smaller number of books in French and Italian and excellent postcards. This is a good place to pick up your copy of The Green Book.
reviewed
-
Clean Ocean Project
Stop by the Clean Ocean Project with its cool surf wear in soft greens and blues. The business donates a percentage of all profits to beach-cleaning days and anti-pollution awareness. There are branches in Menorca and Barcelona; check the website for more info about this cool ecofriendly company.
reviewed