Handcrafted in Qwa-Qwa

Wool woven with heritage, worn with pride.

Thabonaka designs high-quality knitwear, throws, hats, wool bags and fashionable beadwork — each piece handcrafted in Phuthaditjhaba, where the Maluti mountains meet bold African colour.

100%
Handknitted
Qwa-Qwa
Proudly local
Custom
Orders welcome
Model wearing a handknitted Thabonaka wool sweater in heritage colours
Our story

Stitched from the soul of the Maluti.

Thabonaka was born in Phuthaditjhaba — a town wrapped in mountains and stories. Every sweater, throw, hat and bag we make carries the warmth of that landscape and the rhythm of the hands that knit it.

We work with bold colour, traditional motifs and modern silhouettes to design pieces that feel rooted yet contemporary. From a chunky winter throw to a beaded statement piece, our work is a quiet celebration of Basotho craft.

The collection

Pieces made by hand, made to last.

Enquire about an order →
Thabonaka signature clutchSignature

Signature Clutch

Hand-woven evening clutch with leather Thabonaka tag and gold chain.

Thabonaka crochet backpacksEveryday

Crochet Backpacks

Handknitted backpacks and drawstring bags finished with leather.

Thabonaka bucket hatsSummer

Bucket Hats

Colour-block crochet bucket hats in heritage motifs.

Thabonaka beaniesWinter

Beanies

Warm crochet beanies with a signature leather Thabonaka label.

Thabonaka fashion beadsJewellery

Fashion Beads

Statement beaded necklaces, stacked bracelets and bold earrings in heritage colour.

Thabonaka artisan handknitting wool
The maker

Every stitch tells a story.

Each Thabonaka piece is knitted by hand — slowly, intentionally and with care. We believe in slow fashion, fair work and clothing that outlives a season.

  • Premium wool selected for warmth and longevity
  • Custom colours and sizing on request
  • Made-to-order pieces from our Qwa-Qwa studio
Mampe Maria Radebe, founder of Thabonaka Wool Trend, knitting at her stall
Meet the founder

Mampe Maria Radebe

Founder & lead designer, Thabonaka

Recognised as one of South Africa's finest Arts and Culture designers, Mampe built Thabonaka into a brand celebrated far beyond the Maluti mountains.

She has carried the South African flag on her shoulders — showcasing her craft on national and international stages — and today her pieces draw tourists from around the world, each one rooted in rich culture and bold artistic expression.

Arts & Culture DesignerGlobal RecognitionProudly South African
Thabonaka stall with crochet bags, shawls and accessories
Thabonaka stall with crochet bags, shawls and accessories
Mampe Maria Radebe in traditional Sotho attire with a Thabonaka bucket bag
Mampe Maria Radebe in traditional Sotho attire with a Thabonaka bucket bag
International visitors wearing Thabonaka beanies
International visitors wearing Thabonaka beanies
Signature flame-pattern Thabonaka bucket hat
Signature flame-pattern Thabonaka bucket hat

Let's make something beautiful together.

Order a piece from the collection, commission something custom, or simply say hello — we'd love to hear from you.