| If your idea of a great vacation is a shop-till-you-drop | | | | which are of the highest quality. Some of the most |
| spree in the stores, then a visit to South Africa will | | | | colourful ones are made from telephone wire. Other |
| not disappoint you. Retail outlets here range from | | | | great souvenir items are grass brooms, woven beer |
| busy, modern shopping malls; to quaint boutiques and | | | | strainers, pots, shields, and drums. Brightly painted |
| out-of-the-way family operated businesses that offer | | | | wooden bird and animal figures are also very popular. |
| a wide range of goods; and fascinating flea markets | | | | At Gazankulu and Venda you can find the best |
| where you'll find everything from the commonplace | | | | quality pottery. The artisans here are famous for |
| to the exotic. | | | | their distinctive angular designs in silver and ochre. |
| From Baskets to Diamonds | | | | At the Botshabelo Museum and Nature Reserve near |
| Shoppers in South Africa can buy jewellery made | | | | Fort Merensky you can get the very best of Ndebele |
| from locally mined gold, and inset with genuine South | | | | handicrafts. These people are known for their bead |
| African diamonds. In the colourful street markets you | | | | blankets, belts, aprons, and dolls. A Ndebele nguba |
| can have your choice of the exquisite work of South | | | | (marriage blanket) would make a truly unique |
| African artisans: beautifully intricate beadwork, | | | | wedding present. Knysna is another of South Africa's |
| colourfully woven rugs and carpets, uniquely | | | | craftwork capitals. This is a major timber centre, and |
| decorative baskets, and traditional stone and wood | | | | is the best place to buy furniture and smaller artifacts |
| carvings that make excellent souvenirs and gifts. | | | | made of yellowwood and stinkwood. If a chair is too |
| From All Over Africa | | | | big for you to take home, you might like a carved |
| Craftsmen from all over the African continent are | | | | doorknob. This is also a good place to buy colourful |
| drawn by South Africa's thriving tourist industry. In | | | | woven mohair jackets, shawls, blankets, and cushion |
| the craft markets you can find ceremonial wooden | | | | covers. |
| masks, malachite bracelets, wind chimes, wooden | | | | For a truly unique South African souvenir or gift, look |
| beach chairs, wood and bone spoons, flowing African | | | | for the label "Scarab Paper". This is the name given |
| garments with geometric motifs, leather goods, and | | | | to a line of cards and other paper-like handicraft |
| painted duvet covers. Lovers of gourmet foods can | | | | items that are actually made from elephant dung. |
| buy such delicious specialties as African chilli sauces. | | | | Don't worry; they are odour free. Swazi candles are |
| Where to Shop | | | | another very popular item. They are slow-burning, |
| Johannesburg is a mall lover's mecca. This is where | | | | and give a "stained glass" effect. Gift stores all over |
| people from all over South Africa and other countries | | | | the country have rings, bracelets, necklaces and |
| of the subcontinent come for their big shopping trips. | | | | other items made from South African gold and |
| It is the best place to find wood and stone crafts, | | | | diamonds, but you'll get the best prices for this |
| though much of what is in the stores comes from | | | | merchandise in the malls. Beware of parking lot |
| Zimbabwe and West and Central Africa. You are | | | | vendors offering bargains as much of what they try |
| much more likely to find locally made arts and crafts | | | | to sell is fake or stolen. Enjoy shopping South Africa. |
| in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Look for Zulu baskets, | | | | |