Spaza Store
SpaZa Store is a purpose-led homeware brand I founded in 2012 to design beautiful, functional alternatives to single-use and petroleum-based disposable items. The brand also serves as a vehicle for social impact by creating home-based employment for mothers and caregivers in under-resourced communities on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa.
Brand Strategy
Opportunity
At the time, South Africa offered limited modern, sustainable household products, with consumers primarily relying on low-quality microfibre cloths. Internationally, innovative solutions such as Abeego’s beeswax wraps were emerging, yet the South African market lacked accessible, eco-conscious alternatives. With my experience in traditional manufacturing and dedication to social upliftment, I recognized the opportunity to introduce practical, eco-friendly home goods while creating meaningful employment for women who needed flexible, home-based work opportunities to support their families in vulnerable, high-risk neighbourhoods.
Product Strategy
Product Development
Inspired by the knitted kitchen cloths I grew up with, I began designing products that combined nostalgic function with a modern, eco-conscious aesthetic. Each item was created to meet a real household need—replacing plastic wrap, produce bags, and synthetic cloths—while being beautiful enough to gift. Key innovations included the original hand-knit cotton kitchen cloth and breathable cotton dish covers that reimagined food storage in a stylish, sustainable way.
RETail Strategy
Impact and Outcomes
SpaZa successfully introduced an evergreen product range into South Africa’s retail landscape and expanded into international markets including Canada, the USA, and the UK. The brand’s scalable designs enabled home-based production by women in marginalised communities, creating flexible employment that offered dignity, income, and autonomy to mothers and caregivers. SpaZa has positioned itself as a pioneer in sustainable home goods in South Africa, with a growing international reputation for design-led, purpose-driven products.