OUR STORY

My name is Sarah Lederman. I am the founder of BAMBA ZONKE.

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I was born and raised in France. Both my parents worked in fashion managing a 'Pret-a-Porter' and my mother designed and made theatre costumes. So the love of design and fashion has always surrounded me.

 

I started my career as a Graphic Designer and Stylist and have been fortunate enough to travel extensively to Asia and the Pacific Ocean islands. This is where I was first inspired by the diversity of the local fabric: woven (ikat), Hand-printed (Indonesian Batik) and the colourful fabric of the Polynesian women.

 

I moved to Cape Town from Paris about 20 years ago. People are always shocked by this asking me: "How can you leave the city of love?"

But Cape Town is beautiful and it really stole my heart. I had been traveling a bit before deciding to settle here, so I really mean it when I say it's one of the most gorgeous cities in the world.

The surrounding beauty, the warm smiles of the local people, the beaches and great weather - there is so much to love". 

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WHY START A BUSINESS DESIGNING BAGS?

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For me, bags are an essential fashion accessory. I love to travel and needed somewhere to carry my adventure keepsakes in. I was looking for the perfect holiday bag but could not find what I wanted. So I decided to create it myself.

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Cape Town is my source of inspiration: from the turquoise seas, & endless sport, to fashion, forests, open spaces & wild, natural, outdoor living - I wanted to create something practical. A strong, colourful, trendy bag. And so I did.

 

And that's how, in 2014,  Bamba Zonke was born. 

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The name Bamba Zonke  in Zulu means:

"to hold in your hands".

Quite fitting I thought, considering a bag is what you hold...

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