The African Soul project is rooted in a heart for the people of Thembalethu community, outside the town of George in the western cape. With a creative idea and a view to job creation and empowerment of the women of this community, Jan & Chireze Hoogendyk started upskilling women to weave handbags and beachbags out of strapping.

It started with one young girl with a dream to be a fashion designer, and has grown to 10 active weavers, each with their own story and struggles, each already benefiting from a project that aims to bring hope and change where before there was despair.

The main aim and focus of African Soul is the upliftment of the disadvantaged women in Thembalethu. They are provided with training and materials to weave the bags and participate in the entire manufacturing process.

the partners have a vision to expand the project into a business that continues to provide even more opportunities within this and possibly other needy communities and to raise awareness around the need for clever and unique job creation opportunities among women.  

the bags are made in a variety of colours with matching ribbon detail. Click on the products below to see more images of different bags.