Shoes are a classic sweatshop product and yet in South Africa local shoe manufacturing is related to employment initiatives and uplifting women from poverty.

There are two clearly visible shoe brands which manufacture exclusively locally: Froggie and Tsonga. Both use fair labour approaches and are involved in community upliftment projects. I have been buying their shoes for a number of years now. They are comfortable and last well and I regularly get asked about my pretty footwear.

Another nationally available brand, Green Cross also manufactures some of their women’s shoe styles in the country, but they import others.

Of the three only Tsonga also offers locally manufactured men’s shoes.

Beyond these nationally available brands, there are a number of smaller brands.

The Cape Town brand G-MO (Grandt-Mason Originals) offers animal friendly products. Their fabric shoes are handmade and all originals, no two shoes alike and very stylish.

Chic Shoes is a Cape Town success story of management taking over when the Olympics Shoe factory closed. They currently produce for Woolworths, although I am not sure how you would spot their range in the sea of imported shoes for sale at the retailer. Their own labels are called Bella and Bella Soulier and you can get them directly from the company, ordered via their website. Their shoes look fabulously snazzy – from the pumps to the boots!

Tarzan Shoes (how cool is that name) is a family owned leather shoe and accessories manufacturer in Tulbagh. They sell modern takes on veldskoene and traditional leather hiking boots (for women and kids, too) and a men’s casual range that looks like it can easy live up to Caterpillar designs. If you happen to pass through Tulbagh – they have a factory shop there.

Bennett & Co is a small ladies’ shoe manufacturer along the Garden Route and because their product is gorgeous looking, they usually sell out fast in the more common sizes.

Vestibull makes beautiful arty variations of leather sandals and veldskoene.

Palm Footwear is a local manufacturer of footwear in KwaZulu-Natal. They sell very comfy looking leather sandals for women under their Earth label. Their Palmello and Trustees brands of leather shoes caters for men as well as school shoes for boys and girls.

The Jonty's label makes casual leather shoes for men and boys. As you don’t want to get down and dirty in stylish leather shoes, their Fielder brand offers you three different models of Wellingtons. The ‘on-road’ variation in white with orange soles would stand you in good stead for a visit to any stylish gardening party!

Angel Footwear’s African Survivor Gear is made in KwaZulu-Natal. The company is family-owned and produces great looking outdoors and casual leather shoes that could make the Australian brands envious. They have agents in the major South African cities or you can order from them directly.

Also manufacturing in KwaZulu-Natal for the outdoor market is Crouch Footwear. You can buy their Jim Green range directly from them online.