
16 Distinctively South African Things to Buy in Cape Town
1. Shine Shine Fabrics and Accessories

Shine Shine is a popular such example, and can be bought at a couple of cute shops around the city. African Image, on the corner of Church and Burg Street, stocks a range of Shine Shine products. A tray will set you back around R189, and fashionable handbags - between R310 and R365. They describe themselves as an independent, tribal art dealership, but are also known to be the first to offer many contemporary design products, including wire work, recycled craft, funky African print shirts, bags, baskets and numerous other examples of Africa's creativity. The Plush Bazaar, at the Biscuit Mill in Albert Road, also stocks Shine Shine products. If you can, go on Saturday, when the Biscuit Mill hosts a local produce market with a selection of goods fit to leave your mouth watering. Alternatively, you can also make an appointment with the designer by phoning +(27) 21 4242425.
Address: Church Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00
The Plush Bazaar at the Biscuit Mill
Address: 334 Albert Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:30
Saturday: 08:00 - 14:30
2. “Cape Town” Photography Book

A couple of books, like “Cape Town – The peninsula and beyond,” offer a collection of the best images available from well-know photographers. Usually on offer for around R200, it is available at a couple of bookstores throughout the city. Select Books in Long Street is a good option, not only because it is situated in vibey Long Street, but because the rest of the selection of books on offer are also extraordinary. They specialize in both out-of-print and new publications. The shop is open roughly from 09:30 to 17:30 on weekdays, and 09:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays, but David (the shop owner) recommends calling the shop first, as he is often on the hunt for more interesting books. You can call him on +27(0)21 4246955. It’s also available at Wordsworth Books in Main Road, Sea Point, as well as Ulrich Naumann Booksellers at 17 Burg Street (behind the Cape Sun Hotel).
Address: Long Street
Telephone: +27(0)21 4246955
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:30 - 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 - 13:00
Wordsworth Books Sea Point
Address: 395 Main Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00
Ulrich Naumann Booksellers
Address: 17 Burg Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:30
Sunday: 08:30 - 13:00
3. Boston Lager

Address: 122 Main Road Green Point
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 09:00 - 18:00, Friday: 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday: 08:30 - 17:00
Tops Spar
37 Derry Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00
4. Protea Ring

Lady Peculiar, at 3 Andringa Street in Stellenbosch, create wonderful Protea rings (photographed) and their stock ranges from R500 to R1,500 apiece. The shop is open from 09:00 to 17:00 during weekdays, and 09:00 to 13:30 on Saturdays. You can also contact them through their website www.ladypeculiar.co.za. Natasha Wood jewellery is also sold at a number of markets throughout the city, and ranges from R200 to R5000. She mostly uses sterling silver to bring her Protea designs to life. Why not make a day of it, and visit her at the weekly Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market, every Friday from 16:00 to 22:00 at 39 Albertyn Road in Muizenberg. Another is the City Bowl Market on Hope (14 Hope Street, Gardens). They trade every Saturday between 09:00 and 14:00.
Address: 3 Andringa Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 13:30
Website: www.ladypeculiar.co.za
Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market
Address: 39 Albertyn Road
Opening hours:
Friday: 16:00 - 22:00
City Bowl Market on Hope
Address: 14 Hope Street
Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
5. Rusks

6. Ajax Cape Town or Santos Jersey

The official Ajax Cape Town shop is located on the corner of Frans Conradie Drive and Bertie Genade Street in Parow. They are open from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00. The shop closes on Fridays at 16:00, and also takes a lunch break every day from 14:30 to 15:30. A jersey here will cost you between R150 and R490, but anything from caps and jeans and other choices are also available.
Santos gear can be bought at Goolam Sports, located at 95 Klipfontein Road. The shop also sells a variety of Santos branded clothes and goodies; jerseys go from R100 to R250. They are open from 08:30 to 17:00 on weekdays, but closed from 12:00 to 14:00 on Fridays. You can also visit the shop from 08:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Alternatively, visit the Sportsman’s Warehouse just across the street, open seven days a week from 09:00 to 21:00, although you are likely to find only jerseys there.
Address: corner of Frans Conradie Drive and Bertie Genade Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00, lunch break: 14:30 - 15:30
Friday: 10:00 - 16:00, lunch break: 14:30 - 15:30
Goolam Sports
Address: 95 Klipfontein Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 08:30 - 17:00
Friday: 08:30 - 17:00, but closed from 12:00 - 14:00
Saturday: 08:30 - 13:00
7. Cape Jazz Volume 3 – Goema

Look out for the Cape Jazz series of CDs, specifically Volume 3 – Goema. They can be bought for under R100 at Look & Listen stores in the city. There is one in the Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre on the corner of Charl Cronje Drive in Tygervalley (open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00 and 09:00 to 17:00 on Sundays). Other options are the ones located in Century City, Milnerton at the Canal Walk Shopping Centre (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 22:00, Saturdays from 08:30 to 22:00 and Sundays from 09:00 to 22:00) and in the Cavendish Square, Claremont on the corner of Vineyard Street and Main Road (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 8:30 to 19:00 and Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00). Look and Listen is one of the country’s biggest music chain stores, and they stock a wide range of local and international artists.
Address: corner of Charl Cronje Drive in Tygervalley
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00
Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
Century City, Milnerton at the Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Address: Canal Walk, Century Boulevard
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 22:00
Saturday: 08:30 - 22:00, Sunday: 09:00 - 22:00
Cavendish Square, Claremont
Address: on the corner of Vineyard Street and Main Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 8:30 - 19:00, Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
8. Hip Hop Fashion

Hip Hop stores are located in the following shopping centers: Cavendish (Cavendish Square Dreyer Street) in Claremont Road (open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17.30, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00); The Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century City (open seven days a week from 09:00 to 21:00); The Tyger Valley Shopping Centre at the corner of Bill Bezuidenhout and Willie van Schoor Streets (open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00) and Sundays from 09:00 to 17:00); The Factory Boutique in Buitenkant Street (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00) and Access Park in Chichester Road, Kenilworth (open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00). Photographed is the iconic Hip-hop blossom maxi-dress that retails for R1,995. Hip-hop clothing can set you back anything from R500 to R5,000.
Address: Dreyer Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17.30
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00
The Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Address: Century Blvd
Opening Hours:
Every Day: 09:00 - 21:00
The Tyger Valley Shopping Centre
Address: corner of Bill Bezuidenhout and Willie van Schoor Streets
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00
Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
The Factory Boutique
Address: Buitenkant Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 13:00
Access Park
Address: Chichester Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00
9. Groot Constantia Wines

You can visit Groot Constantia seven days a week. The shop is open from 09:00 to 18:00, and the tasting room from 09:00 to 17:30. While on the Constantia wine route, you can also visit a few more wine farms in the near vicinity. A pleasant option is Constantia Uitsig in Spaanschemat River Road. Their shop is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekends and public holidays. Buitenverwachting in Klein Constantia Road is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 and from 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
Address: Groot Constantia Road
Opening Hours:
Every Day: 09:00 - 18:00
The Tasting Room: 09:00 - 17:30
Constantia Uitsig
Address: Spaanschemat River Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
Buitenverwachting
Address: Klein Constantia Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 15:00
10. Waterblommetjies (Pondweed)
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Canned waterblommetjies can be picked up at some Pick ‘n Pays, Woolworth, Checkers or Spar stores for about R23.99 a can. Pick ‘n Pay in Constantia at the corner of Spaanschemacht and Main Road (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 09:00 to 13:00), as well as the branch in Plumstead in Gabriel Road (open from 07:45 to 20:00 from Monday to Saturday, and from 9h00 to 20h00 on Sundays) stock them. So does the Checkers in Plumstead on the corner of Cecil and Kennith Roads (open from 09:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, and from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and 09:00 to 14:00 on Sundays).
Address: corner of Spaanschemacht and Main Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 09:00 - 13:00
Plumstead
Address: Gabriel Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 07:45 - 20:00
Sunday: 9:00 - 20:00
Checkers
Address: corner of Cecil and Kennith Roads
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00
11. Amarula

Try Midmar Liquors in Strand Street (open from 08:00 to 20:00 Mondays to Fridays, and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays), where you will also find a huge variety of other alcoholic beverages, including local wines. Or, if you feel like a road-trip while on the lookout for your bottle of Amarula, try Blue Bottle Liquors. Travelling down the Main Road, there is one located in surfing hub Muizenberg (165 Main Road) and travelling further down, in quirky Kalk Bay (138 Main Road). Both of these stores are open from 09:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, and from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturday.
Address: Strand Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday, Sunday: 08:00 - 17:00
Muizenberg
Address: 165 Main Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
Kalk Bay
Address: 138 Main Road
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
12. Cape Malay Spices

A popular choice is the Atlas Trading Company at 94 Wale Street in the Bo-Kaap. This spice shop really gives you a taste of the Cape Malay culture itself. Popular choices include the 100g packet of leaf masala (consisting of twelve different spices) for R5.14. Atlas is open from 08:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Fridays (but closed from 12:00 to 14:00 on Fridays) and from 08:30 to 12:45 on Saturdays. Alternatively, try the Woolworths Cape Malay Curry Cook-in Sauce (R24.95) or their Cape Malay Curry Powder (R12.95). Both are available at the Woolworths food courts in Cavendish Square (open from 09:00 to 18:00 seven days a week) located in Dreyer Street, Claremont and the Canal Walk Shopping Centre (open from 09:00 to 21:00 seven days a week) in Century Boulevard, Century City.
Address: 94 Wale Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 17:00 (closed from 12:00 to 14:00 on Fridays)
Saturday: 08:30 - 12:45
Woolworths Food Courts in Cavendish Square
Address: Dreyer Street
Opening Hours:
Every Day: 09:00 - 18:00
Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Address: Century Boulevard
Opening Hours:
Every Day: 09:00 - 21:00
13. Beaded Necklace

Look out for the Pan African Market, comprising 33 stores and stalls representing at least 14 countries of Africa. As a meeting place for African migrants and visitors from around Africa and the rest of the world, PAM now houses a dynamic market place where traders from all over the continent make and sell their art and run small businesses. Beaded necklaces go for anything between R120 and R360. The market is open on weekdays from 08:30 to 17:30 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:30. The Greenmarket Square, just around the corner on a cobbled square between Short and long Market Streets, is also well worth your time.
14. Fynbos Products

The Kirstenbosch Shop at the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (recently voted the best picnic spot in the world) sells Fynbos bath salt at R25, and also stocks the Cape Fynbos range of oils at R50 each. It comes in two varieties, ‘Wild’ and ‘Dream’. The shop is open seven days a week, from 09:00 to 19:15. You don’t have to enter the garden the visit the shop, but a walk through the botanical gardens itself is a truly magical experience. You can also visit the Wellness Warehouse at 50 Kloof Street, where they keep a small variety of fynbos soap for under R20 (Monday to Friday 08:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00). Kloof Street itself is lined with quirky shops and restaurants, and you can easily while away the afternoon here.
Address: Rhodes Drive
Opening Hours:
Every Day: 09:00 - 19:15
Wellness Warehouse
Address: 50 Kloof Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 - 15:00
15. Rooibos Tea

Almost available around every corner, why not visit the Pick ‘n Pay in the V&A Waterfront for your purchase? Here, Eleven O’ Clock can be picked up for R15.49. In the same shopping centre you can also buy your tea at the Woolworths, or visit Melissa’s. This food shop sells rooibos leaf tea at about R36 for 250g. You can tie the occasion up with a trip to the City’s working harbor, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. All shops in the Waterfront are open from 09:00 to 21:00. Enjoy a cup of tea (or just about anything else you can imagine) in one of the 80 or so restaurants and watch the ships go by while the majestic Table Mountain looks on.
16. Sea-Salt Products

Another brand is the Oryx Dessert Sal products (from R24) available at the Wellness Centers in Kloof Street (Monday to Friday 08:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00) and Cavendish Mall (Mondays to Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00). Pick ‘n Pay also stocks a product range of plain, fine and course salts, as well as seaweed, tomato and olive and garlic and herb flavors. These are stocked at, among others, the Camps Bay Pick ’n Pay in Victoria Street (open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 07:30 to 19:00 and Sundays from 08:00 - 17:00). You can also visit the Food Lovers Market at the corner of Loop Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue (open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 18:30 and Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00) for the Khoisan range of plain, flavored and African range of products.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 - 15:00
Cavendish Mall
Address: Dreyer Street
Opening Hours:
Mondays - Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Camps Bay Pick ’n Pay
Address: Victoria Street
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 07:30 - 19:00, Sunday: 08:00 - 17:00
Food Lovers Market
Address: corner of Loop Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 07:00 - 18:30
Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00
Other Interesting Souvenirs from South Africa
If traveling to South Africa is not an option for you right at present, or you simply can't afford extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting South African souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the top South African products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Wire Art - Exquisitely hand-crafted sculptures of animals, cars, motorbikes, birds, etc., made using beaded wire, as well as tin and other recycled materials.
3. Carrol Boyes -Handmade kitchen utensils and home accessories created by the avant-garde South African artist and designer Carrol Boyes, who draws inspiration from the human form and beauty of nature.
4. Rhino Force Bracelet -Buying this bracelet you buy life for rhinos, as profits from its sales are used to fight rhino poaching in South Africa, home to more than 90% of Africa's total rhino population.
5. South African Food -Traditional food unique to South Africa and local culture, boasting great ethnic flavor, requiring no refrigeration, and thus representing excellent snack and trail food. This includes Droewors (Dried Sausage) made from lamb and beef, fully cured and ready to eat; Beef Biltong Sliced, a popular snack produced from game or beef, fully cured and ready to eat; and Ouma Seed Rusks, a crunchy snack meant to be dipped into coffee or tea, made with pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seed.
Walking Tours in Cape Town, South Africa
Create Your Own Walk in Cape Town
Cape Town Introduction Walking Tour
In 1652, the Dutch East India Company settled a way-station here for ships traveling that route. Cape Town's natural harbor and strategic position made it the perfect location.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Bo-Kaap Quarter Walking Tour
Slaves came from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Africa. Many of these slaves were Muslim, and this area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Cape Town Shopping Tour
Pan African Market is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles