"Kusempondo Zankomo". - Sanga Collection

On image: Ryan Braude, founder of Sanga Collection.

Sanga Collection was conceived out of a project Ryan Braude completed in 2015 in Hlabisa, in KZN. He was tasked with sourcing Nguni hides for the suites of a new lodge. The hides were used as decorative rugs, chosen to compliment the interior decor of each room with an array of colour distinctions and patterns. It was during this project that he developed an appreciation for the beautiful multi-coloured hides of the Nguni cattle. He started to research their significance in history and discovered the rich influence they had on South African culture.

"In 2015 I relocated to the Cape, with my move, I brought my passion for the Nguni and started Sanga Collection, offering my product to local interior designers and tourists. Back then I only supplied cowhides but the idea of making shoes and bags slowly developed".

Please share the meaning of the word Sanga: "The name ‘Sanga’ is the collective name for indigenous cattle of sub-Saharan Africa. The breeds of the Sanga Cattle include: the Abigar; the Red Fulani; the Nguni and the Ankole-Watusi to name a few".

The term ‘Nguni’ comes from the groups of Bantu speaking pastoralists who over a period of a few hundred years migrated from the north to the southern parts of Africa. These Nguni people moved with their cattle spreading across southern Africa integrating their culture with others. The Nguni people as we know them today are distinguished by three large subgroups, the Northern Nguni, the Southern Nguni and the Ndebele.

Lastly - what is unique about your shoes? "Each pair of our shoes are unique because no two cowhides are alike. I believe in making things to last, every product is slowly made, hand crafted and made with premium materials. This means that when you choose a pair of shoes, bag or any of our products, the cow hide pattern is completely unique and individual, just like a personality. Our brand is boldly African and those that buy our goods wear them with African pride".

Website: www.sangacollection.com

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