Most African expats living in the UK have grown used to two things: it being dark by 4pm in winter and the annual pilgrimage home for the Christmas holidays. There has been one thing that has been a little harder to grow used to though, the baggage allowance for most flights to and from our homeland – 20kg is not a lot (believe me, I’m the one in the queue at Johannesburg Int. pleading ignorance and usually end up paying out my ear for excess baggage), so stricter protocol at the airports means stricter protocol at home: if you can’t wear it 3 times, eat it, wash your hair AND body with it as well as use it as a moisturizer…it ain’t coming! I’m still getting used to the “pack 3 pairs of shoes” rule. Pack light at all times and ban friends and the family sending reciprocal Christmas gifts.

It left us thinking that if we are so taken with the idea of surrounding our home with all things African, from artwork to necklaces, from linen to crockery, from music to books…then there must be others like us in the UK with the same passion (be they South African or not). After chatting with some British and French friends it was concluded that they too loved our dark wood carvings, brightly coloured cloths, beaded cutlery and our passion to take ordinary everyday material (like recycled tuna tins and paper Mache) and turn it into something so different and functional.

We are so proud of our African heritage and fiercely proud to be South African and love sharing that with others. Be it in the type of gifts we give or the food we prepare when entertaining. The UK is our home now but we don’t ever want to forget the love we share for the bush, our passion for crafts and uniquely different gifts and the artists that make that all possible.

So in late 2007 after paying not once but twice (twice!) for excess baggage, Ryan and I decided to embark on this journey of bringing products that you can’t eat (although I hear Rooibos Shea Butter taste lovely), or drink into the UK. Homegrown and made in South Africa; the “non touristy” type goods (aka anything with the Big Five depicted on it) that are really hard to find in the UK. In time we will venture past our borders and will introduce other products.