Handstitched.  Handmade.  Handcrafted.

We want to share the leather bound Tsonga African story with you.  From their passion for design creativity and fashion, to their rich African heritage and the people who transform 100%, soft, genuine leather into the finest collection of footwear, handbags and accessories for you to enjoy… Kwasukasukela (listen, the story is about to start).

 

The journey began in the late 1990’s when cheap imported footwear flooded the South African market, forcing many shoe manufacturers to close doors.  Tsonga’s founder, Peter Maree, embraced the challenge.  He saw an opportunity for a niche market in high-quality leather footwear with a uniquely African style and the comfort that only hand-stitching can provide. 

 

With a team of top international designers and skilled technicians already in place, Peter set out to find the unique hand-stitching skills that would be the signature of Tsonga footwear for years to come… 

 

“I wanted to create a range of shoes and handbags, inspired by Africa.  The hand-stitching skills of the women of the village of Lidgetton, close to my home in South Africa, are renowned.  I thought that together we could create something quite unique and wonderful” – Pater Maree, the founder of Tsonga.

 

Today, in the foothills of the kingdom of the Zulu in South Africa, a story of hope quietly unfolds.  Transformed from an old abandoned school building, The Thread of Hope farm is home to Tsonga, a place where ladies gather and gentle conversations in Zulu and Sotho follow the rhythm of the work, hands meticulously wielding the simple tools of their trade, a needle and thread.

 

Individually hand-stitched with passion from a nation known for its vibrancy and creativity, Tsonga footwear, handbags and accessories have become renowned for comfort and quality with a unique European infused and African inspired style.  Together with concept stores throughout South Africa, in France and Australia, Tsonga adorns the shelves of fashion and style conscious boutiques and prominent retail stores around the world.