Tourvest’s “Out of Africa” honoured with Social Impact Award

Out of Africa, a flagship brand within the Destination Retail Division of the Tourvest Group, has been honoured by the V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards with the Social Impact Award. It recognises the company’s commitment to empowering local artisans, preserving South African crafts and skills, and transforming local community development.

The award reflects Out of Africa and Tourvest’s continued investment in people, purpose and place, underpinned by the group’s belief that commerce can be a catalyst for social good. To this end, the work done by Out of Africa shows how that belief can create real change for communities and individuals.

As part of the award, Out of Africa received a voucher from the V&A Waterfront, which it is giving to Relate Bracelets, a social enterprise that creates earning opportunities for “gogos” in Khayelitsha with hand-beaded bracelets whilst raising funds for numerous social causes. To deepen the gesture, Out of Africa has matched the value of the award to ensure the impact is felt within the community which inspired the win.

In the spirit of the festive season, Out of Africa will extend this goodwill through a joint initiative with Relate Bracelets at the V&A Waterfront. Using the donated vouchers, the team will assemble and deliver grocery parcels for the “gogos” who create Relate’s iconic bracelets, turning this recognition into an early festive celebration of gratitude.

‘Our partnership with Relate Bracelets is one of shared purpose and dignity,’ says David Brenner, Chief Executive Officer of Tourvest Retail. ‘It’s proof that when commerce and compassion work together, every transaction can become a part of transformation. Out of Africa’s award sits at the heart of what the Tourvest Group stands for – a commitment that “wherever we are, we are always local”, which means a connection to people, to their stories and to their communities.’

Relate is just one of many initiatives driven by the brand and the impact is clear and impressive. Since the start of Tourvest’s relationship with Relate in 2011, the company has helped sell more than 1 066 000 bracelets and raised R10.5 million for charitable causes. The partnership has also created R2.28 million in earning opportunities for more than 400 elderly artisans, with a total social impact valued at R14.4 million.

These initiatives echo the voices of the Relate artisans themselves. ‘It makes you forget your problems,’ one “gogo” shared. ‘It keeps your mind going and gives you purpose.’ Another added, ‘We’re getting paid for doing something we love – it keeps us young!’

Building relationships and partnerships is central to Tourvest’s vision, and its supply chain policies present an ideal methodology to actualise this vision.

To this end, the Destination Retail Division has developed a loyal supplier network of over 1000 SMME’s across South Africa, working together to ensure that the talent inherent in the underlying entities is proudly reflected in Tourvest’s retail footprint. This enhances the sustainability of both Tourvest’s retail outlets and the businesses supplying it – securing thousands of valuable jobs in the process.

‘Out of Africa is a living example of how retail can uplift,’ adds Brenner. ‘It connects people through craft, culture and compassion and turns every purchase into a story of possibility.’

For Tourvest, Africa’s leading integrated tourism group, rooted in Africa, with an expanding global presence, this recognition reaffirms its vision of purpose-led growth and community connection, where every brand contributes to building a stronger, more inclusive society.