SHOPPING
Celebrating Africa’ s stories
AT THE V & A WATERFRONT
AT CAPE TOWN’ S ICONIC V & A WATERFRONT, SHOPPING IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT WHAT YOU TAKE HOME; IT IS ABOUT WHAT YOU GIVE BACK.
At Cape Town’ s V & A Waterfront, retail is reimagined through an ethos called Our Better Nature – a collective call to act( and shop) with responsibility, creativity and compassion.
The idea is simple yet powerful: when we act from our better nature, nature itself improves. Every purchase, every choice and every small action carries the potential for change, whether that means empowering a rural community, celebrating Africa’ s diverse cultures or protecting endangered wildlife.
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TAUNG TRADING POST – CRAFTSMANSHIP ELEVATED TO LEGACY
Set in the historic Quay Four building, Taung Trading Post feels like a gallery for Africa’ s creative spirit. Hand-carved ostrich-egg lamps glow with heritage, bronze figurines stand as guardians of tradition, and each piece carries the imprint of generations. The store celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation through works such as the Nespresso Pod Lion and Lion Head sculptures by acclaimed artist Godfrey Dambuleni – proof that waste can become wonder. With worldwide shipping and a devotion to authenticity, Taung ensures that Africa’ s craftsmanship travels far beyond the harbour, sharing its stories across oceans.
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OUT OF AFRICA – EMPOWERMENT THROUGH CRAFT
At the heart of the bustling shopping concourse, Out of Africa draws visitors from around the world. Its shelves are alive with wood, stone, clay and beadwork, each item echoing the continent’ s living spirit. What sets this store apart is its commitment to people. By sourcing from community upliftment programmes, Out of Africa sustains livelihoods for tens of thousands of people in rural and marginalised areas. A carved bowl or hand-woven basket becomes more than a keepsake; it becomes a story of empowerment, of artisans thriving and traditions preserved. Here, art becomes both beautiful and transformative, bridging communities, people and cultures – carrying Africa’ s soul into the world.
40 | SUMMER 2025 / 26 • rovesa. co. za