Babazeka - A socially aware online store

This is a business which is run from Menlyn, Pretoria, by an ex-fashion designer, Ilze Reader. She needed a change from the industry, and so decided to begin a business which rather produced fashionable decor items and accessories. At first, she employed a couple of women from the surrounding townships of Pretoria. She now has given jobs to 10 previously disadvantaged women as well as 2 men.

Not only has Mongoose provided jobs for people in the Pretoria area, but it also supports different rural communities around South Africa. A number of their products have been made using fabrics which are hand-printed or beaded by rural women. Mongoose also often uses hand-printed fabrics made by young South African fabric designers, such as the Design Team.

Babazeka loves Mongoose products because of the way they shout “South Africa” in such an original and fashionable way.