Gauteng
If you're after vintage and antique kitchenalia or just plain old colourful and kitsch junk then this is the place for you. A warren of expertly…
Must-see shopping in Southern Africa
Cape Town
Capetonian interior-design adventures can be had at this place, set back from Albert Rd, where you may be able to pick up original framed Trechtikoff…
Lilongwe
At these stalls outside the Old Town post office, vendors sell everything from trinket woodcarvings, basketware and jewellery to traditional Malawian…
Cape Town
Like a mini fashion department store, a variety of mens- and womens-wear brands are showcased here – it's a good spot to browse for colourful, locally…
Cape Town
Vinyl junkies can score their fix at this small emporium run by a local record publisher – they have CDs and even a few lo-fi cassettes too. While you…
Cape Town
Overlooking Bloubergstrand, this mall is pleasant for a wander between sunbathing, with plenty of cafes for taking in the Table Mountain views. Opening…
Green Point & Waterfront
All the big names of South African retail (including Woolworths, CNA, Pick n Pay, Exclusive Books and Musica), as well as international luxury brands, are…
Cape Town
Some 14 Capetonian designers, including Ballo sunglasses, Sealand bags made from recycled materials, and Grandt Mason shoes, are stocked in this Mondrian…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This contemporary folk-art gallery is a great place to find attractive souvenirs. It stocks a range of interesting arts and crafts by local artists,…
Drakensberg Escarpment
Pick up the latest Deon Meyer thriller at this secondhand bookshop, which is one of South Africa's largest, with lots of paperback novels, a South African…
Lesotho
Built in 2012, this glitzy mall contains upscale restaurants, several banks and ATMs, a Shoprite, a Woolworths, a nightclub and even a small children's…
Cape Town
The pungent smell of over 100 different herbs, spices and incenses perfumes the air at this cornerstone of the Bo-Kaap’s Cape Muslim community, where…
Green Point & Waterfront
Pamper yourself with the high-quality, hand-made beauty and body products from this Swellendam-based company that's like a chic South African version of…
Cape Town
Specialising in prints by local artists – both established and up-and-coming – and likely to have something that is both affordable and small enough to…
Johannesburg
Occupying part of a former industrial warehouse on the western edge of downtown Jo'burg, this thriving marketplace offers mainly gourmet outlets, food…
Lesotho
More expensive than elsewhere in Lesotho, but convenient and well stocked with two floors of quality crafts from across the country. Credit cards are…
Durban
More like a museum than a bookshop, this antique-filled delight is chock-a-block with first editions and is everything an antiquarian bookshop should be…
Limpopo
In the village of Mbokota southeast of Elim, local women create stunning, colourful textiles using traditional Tsonga designs through batik, hand painting…
Cape Town
Beautiful fabrics from the ends of rolls and swatch books are used by Grandt Mason to create his one-off shoes and boots, which start at around R1900. No…
Cape Town
With more than 400 shops, 50-odd restaurants, 18 cinema screens and 8000 parking bays, this faux palazzo is one of Africa's largest malls. Entertainment…
Maun
Although it caters more to travellers who need a last-minute souvenir before catching a flight out of town, this small shop near the airport has a decent…
Harare
A small bookstore with a good collection of wildlife books, which are worth a look if you're going on safari. It also stocks a decent range of magazines…
Cape Town
Exhibition space for the nonprofit Association for Visual Arts (AVA), which shows some very interesting work by local artists. Pick up signed prints of…
Cape Town
If you’re interested in local ceramics, the date to mark in your diary is the twice-yearly Rondebosch Potters Market, held from 8am to 2pm on the second…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
The Southern Peninsula’s book lovers gather at this shop that's been dealing literature since 2006. Check the website for details of upcoming book…
Cape Town
Stocks the beautiful ostrich-eggshell-decorated accessories made by Avoova – each one is a unique piece. You’ll also find Masai beadwork from Kenya, and a…
Southern Mozambique
This place sells an appealing selection of reasonably priced handicrafts, 95% of which are made from reclaimed or recycled materials. It's on the beach…
Cape Town
A tasteful selection of fashion, gifts and homewares from South African and international designers. The choices of products reflect the owners’ travels…
Cape Town
Come here for locally made, top-quality leather and canvas bags, including backpacks, handbags and other fashion accessories.
Namibia
Take a stroll around this large market, which is one of Namibia's most sophisticated informal sales outlets. From July to September, don't miss the fresh…
Cape Town
Constantia's main shopping hub covers all the basics and more, with a couple of major supermarkets and many other stores, including an Exclusive Books…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Austrian-born Gina Niederhumer is the crafter behind this small boutique packed with appealing items, from crocheted jewellery and organic gingerbread to…
Cape Town
Olive oil and other locally sourced organic ingredients are used for the high-quality bath, body and perfumery products, including scented candles,…
Northern Mozambique
The place to buy Makonde crafts – primarily the legendary woodcarvings – plus you can see the craftspeople at work. It's located in an open compound…
Cape Town
This weekly takeaway food market is very popular with city office workers. It's held at the southern end of St Georges Mall and also includes a few craft…
Swakopmund
Baraka has a quirky portfolio that ranges from pith helmets and a handful of antique African maps to Tintin in the Congo clocks and modern versions of…
Cape Town
SMAC specialises in artworks from 1960 to the 1980s and occupies a series of roomy spaces in the Palms, where you'll find a few other, smaller art and…
Lilongwe
Selling a range of recycled mahogany and glass artworks, stylish natural-coloured linen chemises, bespoke jewellery, hand-woven throws, bags, pashminas…
Cape Town
Extraordinary repurposed furniture and lighting by Katie Thompson – think suitcases turned into chairs, crockery as lamp stands, and fridge magnets made…
Lilongwe
The best mall around for shops, supermarkets, fast-food joints, banks and other services, with a central location in Old Town. It also has branches of the…
