The world is still battling with a pandemic, however, this does not mean that all things are all doom and gloom. This September started on a high note for some of our very own South African brands.

September marks the beginning of a new season in South Africa, Spring. Spring is a season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again.

It is also our South Africa’s heritage month.

This year, we are seeing South African brands, who are custodians of rich heritage and authenticity rising to the occasion of what this month is about. Household names such as Tastic Rice, The Lazy Makoti, Boity, Skinny Sbu, and MoFaya have announced their milestones this past week.

Each of these brands represents what it truly means to be South African – a people who remain authentic, fearless, knowing no bounds in order to fulfill one’s purpose and tying of that to South African roots.

1. Tastic launches their heritage month campaign with world-renowned designer, Laduma Ngxokolo.

An advocate of the Xhosa culture in South Africa and the globe, Laduma Ngxokolo’s famous Maxhosa design print inspired this year’s Tastic Rice exclusive packaging for heritage month.

Laduma Ngxokolo is one of Africa’s finest knitwear designer & innovator of the Xhosa (one of the South African dominant ethnic group) inspired knitwear brand MAXHOSA BY LADUMA. Laduma continues to capture the hearts of many fashion lovers and media from South Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo, Berlin and New York. He is one known to consistently embrace his heritage through his fashion designs.

2. The Lazy Makoti partners with Woolworths

“Woolies and Woolworths TASTE Magazine are very happy to say @thelazymakoti is officially joining us as a Creative Collaborator. That means you’ll see a whole lot more of Mogau’s magnificent cooking, from heritage icons to easy bakes and budget-friendly dinners.”, Woolworths mentioned on Instagram.

Mogau Seshoene, also known as ‘The Lazy Makoti’ is a trained chef and award winning cookbook author.  She founded The Lazy Makoti in 2014 after leaving the corporate world to focus on her love for food. What began as lessons for a friend, a bride-to-be who was afraid of being labelled “The Lazy Makoti” (the lazy daughter-in-law) because she couldn’t cook, evolved into a business, and inspired its name. Mogau has a diploma in Culinary Arts from the Chefs Training and Innovation Academy in Centurion and completed the industry training under Chef Werner at The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg.

Her passion for South African culture and heritage is the inspiration behind how she continues to  demonstrate easier and healthier ways to prepare African and South African cuisine.

3. Boity Thulo announces her new Boity Pink Sapphire perfume.

South African television personality, rapper, entrepreneur, and luxury style enthusiast Boity Thulo is securing the bag with her latest passion project, a perfume for the ladies to dress themselves in and feel like royalty.

The Boity Pink Sapphire eau de parfum is proudly South African, premium, first-of-its-kind eau de parfum developed in collaboration with Halo Heritage.

Halo Heritage and Boity worked closely with French perfumer, Emilie Bouge, who brings over 22 years of experience in the art of perfumery. Pink Sapphire is best described as an ode to powerful, modern, African queens. “It’s a powerful but elegant fragrance. The top notes that you smell at first are the sugar, the fresh tangerine and wild marigold. After a few moments, you’ll smell the amber, jasmine, and French lavender and finally, the heavier base notes of ambroxan, moss and cedarwood bring that incredible depth – they balance out the sweeter notes perfectly. I just love it!”, Thulo expresses.

4. Skinny Sbu opened his first independent store in Maboneng, Johannesburg

In Sibuso Ngwenya’s world, this month is not September. It is Sbutember, meaning that this month belongs to him.

“Thank you very much to each individual that has been dropping a bag full of money at Skinny Sbu store in Maboneng, Johannesburg.” Sibusiso, tweeted.

Sibusiso Ngwenya who is popularly known as ‘Skinny Sbu’ is a Sockprenuer who’s success story is known to many. He started Skinny Sbu Socks, in April 2013 and has since gone from leaps and bounds to give men exclusive stylish socks to dress with.

He decided to start his own sock line when he realised there was a lack of South African designers specializing in socks for men.

5. MoFaya launched its new soft-drink range.

Sibusiso ‘DJ Sbu’ Leope broke the internet on the morning of the 1^st of September when he announced the expansion of his brand MoFaya with a new range of soft drinks. What makes these “Khondrinks” unique is that each flavour has its own vernacular name.

The new soft drink range, includes: Cola – Sash Mnyamane, Crème Soda – Nomalizo, Ginger Beer -iGemmer, Granadilla – Slay Queen, Grape – Tjovitjo, Iron Brew – Intsimbi, Lemon – Boss Zonke, Lemonade – Botsotso, Litchi – Akekhugogo, Orange – Mzekezeke, Coco Pine – Yellow Bone, and Raspberry – Isichomanis.

The soft drinks will be sold through existing wholesale and retail channels nationwide.

We love it when proudly South African brands win and showcase their heritage in different ways, be it through food, fashion, beauty, or luxury.

A huge Pat on these brands!