DESIGN AFRIKA

DESIGN AFRIKA Beautiful baskets from across Africa. Visit our Cape Town shop: 42 Hares Ave, Woodstock. Wholesale enquiries welcome. [email protected] | +27 21 448 9761

We source, design and wholesale African baskets from all over the continent. In Southern Africa we play an active role in keeping alive traditional basket weaving skills through training and by facilitating contact between remote rural areas and the city based world of contemporary interior design.

New from Zululand, our black and white baskets are back in stock.I’m so happy to have these back. Woven in Zululand by t...
03/09/2026

New from Zululand, our black and white baskets are back in stock.

I’m so happy to have these back. Woven in Zululand by the Alpha Weaving Group and Mphakathi Weaving Group, these baskets are made for everyday living, but bring so much warmth and character to a space.

The oversized linen baskets, swimming pool baskets, planters and my favourite tall skinnies have all just arrived.

I love the simplicity of the black and white, the beautiful traditional weaving and, most importantly, knowing the stories and hands behind each piece.

Come and have a look. They’re even better in person.

I found these beautiful woven straw lids at a market while I was in Ethiopia, and I couldn’t resist bringing them home.T...
01/09/2026

I found these beautiful woven straw lids at a market while I was in Ethiopia, and I couldn’t resist bringing them home.

They’re traditionally made to fit the clay coffee pots known as jebena, which are at the heart of Ethiopia’s beautiful coffee ceremony. Coffee in Ethiopia is so much more than a drink. The ceremony is a time for gathering, sharing stories and welcoming people into your home.

I love the simplicity of these lids. They’re woven by hand from natural straw, each one slightly different, with all the little imperfections that make handmade pieces so special.

For me, they’re a small reminder of Ethiopia, its incredible craft traditions and the people I met along the way.

I’m very happy to now have them available at Design Afrika.

A new chapter in Ethiopian textiles.I’ve always loved the simplicity and beauty of Ethiopian cotton and I was pleased to...
27/08/2026

A new chapter in Ethiopian textiles.
I’ve always loved the simplicity and beauty of Ethiopian cotton and I was pleased to discover the introduction of Ethiopian silk into the collection through our collaboration with Sabahar.

They are a remarkable textile studio rooted in Ethiopian tradition. Their name comes from ‘Saba’, the legendary Queen of Sheba, who is believed to have travelled from Ethiopia to visit King Solomon with treasures beyond compare. ‘Har’ means silk in Amharic, a beautiful reflection of the work they create.

They remain a pioneer in Eri silk production and processing in Ethiopia, with more than 90% of their textiles hand-spun and woven on traditional looms.

I love that these are not just beautiful textiles. They carry the hands, skills and traditions of the people who make them.

Pieces shaped by skill, made by time and now proudly being shared with the world through Design Afrika.

Available from September at both our showrooms and at the OZCFarm market.

The crosses of Ethiopia.One of the things that moved me most during my time in Ethiopia was seeing how present the cross...
25/08/2026

The crosses of Ethiopia.

One of the things that moved me most during my time in Ethiopia was seeing how present the cross still is in everyday life. They are everywhere, carried by people, held during processions, displayed on stands and beautifully handmade in countless different forms.

I was there towards the end of Lent, and it was incredibly moving to be surrounded by such ancient religious traditions. There was a feeling of witnessing something that has been carried through generations and continued for centuries.

I loved seeing how these aren’t simply historical objects, they are still very much part of daily life and faith in Ethiopia.

It was a beautiful reminder of how deeply craft, culture and tradition are intertwined.

One of the pieces that really caught my eye in the market was the traditional Injera table. They’re beautifully large, p...
20/08/2026

One of the pieces that really caught my eye in the market was the traditional Injera table. They’re beautifully large, practical pieces, traditionally used as the dining table.

The most intricately woven baskets come from Harar - a city famous for its master basket weavers. And for its ancient culture.

I loved seeing how much care and attention goes into the market stalls themselves. This particular stand was beautifully decorated with grass and natural materials. There’s such a deep appreciation for grass and natural fibres, not only in the baskets but in the way they create and style their spaces.

We’re looking forward to the arrival of our shipment - having been delayed many times owing to the war.

It is now expected at the beginning of September.

A look into Ethiopia’s incredible design heritage.Visiting the Ethnographic Museum in Ethiopia was such a wonderful remi...
18/08/2026

A look into Ethiopia’s incredible design heritage.

Visiting the Ethnographic Museum in Ethiopia was such a wonderful reminder of something I’ve always felt about Ethiopian craft. They make beautiful things, but more than that, they make everyday things beautifully.

The museum holds an incredible record of Ethiopian craftsmanship and the skill of its artisans. From headrests and baskets to objects used in daily life, everything is considered, decorated and made with such care. I was particularly fascinated by the headrests, as different regions have their own distinctive styles and forms.

The museum itself is also fascinating. It is now situated within the grounds of the university, in what was once one of the palaces. Walking through the grounds, you can feel the layers of Ethiopian history all around you, from the palace steps and stories of the rulers, to the legends surrounding the Queen of Sheba and her meeting with the King.

It was a beautiful reminder that Ethiopia’s design traditions are inseparable from its history, culture and everyday life.

Visiting the Basket Market in Addis was such a heartwarming experience. It’s a traditional, bustling market where the ma...
13/08/2026

Visiting the Basket Market in Addis was such a heartwarming experience. It’s a traditional, bustling market where the majority of the customers are Ethiopian locals. It really is a market for the people.

What struck me most was seeing how deeply woven these baskets are into everyday life. They weren’t just being sold as beautiful handmade objects, they were being used. In almost every home I visited, I saw baskets in kitchens, living spaces and throughout the home.

There was something so special about seeing these pieces in their natural context, being lived with and used every day.

It reminded me that basketry isn’t simply a craft or a design tradition here, it’s part of everyday Ethiopian life.

Beaded Throw Pillows.A collaborative range by Sidai: Beaded jewelry & home decor handmade in Tanzania and Design Afrika,...
11/08/2026

Beaded Throw Pillows.
A collaborative range by Sidai: Beaded jewelry & home decor handmade in Tanzania and Design Afrika, continuing a partnership we’ve cherished for years.

Handmade by the talented Maasai women of Sidai, this collection features intricately beaded throw pillows in three striking designs:

- Steampunk Taupe with white beading
- Black on Black
- Classic Black and White

Look out for our new Spring Collection coming in August. Featuring Sidai’s Autumn jewellery collection using traditional Czech glass beads and semi-precious stones like tanzanite and rubies.

Available at our showroom at 42 Hares Avenue and OZCFarm, come see (and feeOZCFarm in person.

We loved seeing our wall discs featured in this beautiful Sea Point apartment by Interior Designer, Johannesburg. Though...
04/08/2026

We loved seeing our wall discs featured in this beautiful Sea Point apartment by Interior Designer, Johannesburg. Thoughtfully layered with natural wood and tactile materials, they became part of a home that feels calm and collected.
Each piece is handwoven by skilled artisans using sisal fibre. Thank you to Interior Designer, Johannesburg for including our work in this project.

Photography: Karl Rogers
Styling: Natalie Boruvka for Vignette

Address

42 Hares Avenue
Cape Town
7925

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 15:00

Telephone

+27214489761

Website

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