1. Rooibos tea

The rooibos plant grows exclusively on the slopes of the Cederberg Mountains, in the Western Cape and is found nowhere else in the world. It is naturally caffeine free and is one of SA’s best exports. It has become famous for its medicinal and antioxidant properties.

Where to buy? At a market or supermarkets, speciality & health stores

2. Arts & crafts

Classical beadwork, wire-art objects, wooden carvings, art & handmade jewellery diamond and gold jewellery. South Africa is renowned for its gold jewellery and diamonds

Must do: Explore Diamond Cutting and Polishing, Jewellery Design and Manufacturing at the Cape Town diamond factory

3. Vuvuzelas

The vuvuzela is a plastic horn, that produces a loud noise, it became the symbol of the 201 World Cup in South Africa and has become a must-have accessory for tourists and football fans worldwide

4. Veldskoen

These quintessentially South African bush shoes are made from veg tanned leather or soft rawhide uppers, attached to a leather footbed and rubber sole without tacks or nails.

Visit: Strassberger Vedskoen Factory, Clanwilliam, Western Cape. A factory that hand makes veldskoen since 1834.

5. Sheshwe fabric

Ethnic cotton print cloth introduced to South Africa by German Settlers in the 19th century. Over time, Xhosa women, who took a liking to the stiff indigo dyed fabrics, replaced their animal skin clothes with shweshwe. It has become a highly sought after fashion item and has been seen on catwalks worldwide.

6. Mohair carpets and blankets

South Africa produces around 54% of the total world production of mohair. Xhosa women produce high-quality carpets, rugs, throws, jerseys (jumpers) & scarves.

Must do: The Mohair Meander and mohair processing/factory in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

7. Leather Goods

Ostrich leather is highly sought after and is regarded as one of the most beautiful, supple & durable of all exotic leathers. Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape is home to the world’s largest population of ostriches. Visitors can experience working ostrich farms, ride an ostrich and buy painted or plain ostrich eggs.

8. Local liquor

Mampoer: uniquely South Africa, a white spirit distilled from fermented fruit – not for the fainthearted! Take a “mampoer tour” in the Groot Marico District in North West Province.

Amarula: a cream liqueur, made from the fruit of the Marula tree, indigenous to South Africa. The fruit is a favourite of elephants.

Wine: the Western Cape’s world-renowned wine industry plays an important role in attracting foreign tourists and investment to South Africa. Pinotage is a uniquely South African grape variety, created in 1925 at Stellenbosch University.

Where to buy? Local liquor merchants, duty-free stores and wine estates.

9. Sounds of Africa

Kwaito, Marabi and Bubblegum are just some of South Africa’s distinctive music genres. Take home some uniquely South African sounds.

Where to buy? The South African music store has an incredible selection of African music.