The Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) represents a vision that aligns deeply with Uzwelo’s heart and mission. At Uzwelo, our journey isn't just about bags—it's about people. Each bag tells a story of resilience, growth, and empowerment, sewn by the hands of incredible people who started with little and, through hard work, have built brighter futures for themselves and their families. Many members of our team come from underprivileged backgrounds, but they carry extraordinary strength and dedication. Their work with Uzwelo has given them the skills to not only craft beautiful, functional bags but to uplift their communities. For them, it’s not just about earning an income—it’s about dignity, independence, and creating a legacy they can pass on to future generations. Our work with IRFA and The Conference Company means so much. By choosing Uzwelo bags for their conference, IRFA is not just supporting local artisans—they are supporting a movement of change, one that ensures Uzwelo's beautiful team can look forward to retirement with pride. They work tirelessly, knowing that their efforts today will pave the way for a secure and meaningful future, both for themselves and their loved ones. At Uzwelo, every bag we create isn’t just about empowering people—it’s about protecting the planet. Made from waste and recycled fabrics, our bags reduce environmental impact by preventing textile waste from ending up in landfills. These materials, once discarded, are now transformed into beautiful, functional products that not only uplift communities but also contribute to cleaning up the environment. With every bag, we make strides toward a more sustainable future for both our people and the planet. Institute of Retirement Funds Africa and The Conference Company's commitment to community upliftment aligns perfectly with Uzwelo’s values. We believe that every person deserves the opportunity to build a future they can be proud of and a clean and safe environment. IRFA's support reflects the impact that thoughtful choices can have on real lives. With every bag sewn, we’re not just creating a product—we’re creating futures full of hope and possibility. Thank you, IRFA and the Conference Company, for believing in the workers of Uzwelo, their skills, and their dreams. Together, we’re weaving a brighter, more sustainable future—one bag at a time. #Empowerment #CommunityUpliftment #IRFA2024 #Sustainability #HandmadeWithLove #IRFAfrica #TheConfrenceCompany
Uzwelo Bags
Retail Apparel and Fashion
eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal 588 followers
Unique, Stylish & Functional Bags that Uplift South Africa
About us
Uzwelo and Expand a Sign have partnered with everyday local heroes to provide a range of bags that are not only functional and stylish, but change lives. It all started by realising that we can only make a real difference when we focus on what we can do, instead of what we can't.... Real change is hard, and change in South Africa is no exception. Crime, poverty, corruption, litter, poaching, mindsets, speedo’s… The need for change is everywhere but maybe one of the reasons it isn’t happening fast enough is because we don’t always believe we can help. Expand a Sign decided to change that and formed Uzwelo Bags, to focus on what we can do instead of what we can’t. We asked ourselves what our beautiful country could look like if we worked together, building opportunities not just for ourselves, but for those around us and their communities. We dreamed and spoke about how lives could change, how families could be empowered and how communities could be uplifted and brought out of poverty through skill development, entrepreneurship, education and giving people real hope. We looked at our own lives, businesses and communities and slowly, an idea dawned…
- Website
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https://www.uzwelo.co.za/
External link for Uzwelo Bags
- Industry
- Retail Apparel and Fashion
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
- Type
- Privately Held
Locations
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Primary
38 Buro Cres
eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal 4091, ZA
Employees at Uzwelo Bags
Updates
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Stay cool this summer with our stylish, eco-friendly beach cooler bag! Whether you’re planning a beach day or hosting an outdoor event, this cooler bag ensures you’ll have everything you need—ice cold and ready. Customize it with your logo today and make your brand the ultimate summer essential! 🌞❄️ #StayCool #CustomCoolerBag #BeachReady"
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One of Uzwelo’s core pillars is skills development, and today, we celebrate a shining example of that success. Ntombi Masondo, who after years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, is climbing even higher. Ntombi has worked her way up from the factory floor, to quality control, and eventually became our floor supervisor. While we're sad to see her go, we are equally thrilled to have been witness to her growth and now well-deserved onward journey. We are beyond proud of her growth and the journey she’s about to embark on as a floor manager at a major retail firm. Well done, Ntombi, we're so proud of you and wish you nothing but success on your new adventure! #Empowerment #NewBeginnings #NewRole #SkillsDeveleopment #Progress
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Uzwelo Bags reposted this
Join us and Spar Salta THIS SATURDAY for another morning of community fun and coastal care! 🌊 Let’s keep our coastline clean with the next Litterboom Project Beach Blitz - Saturday, 19 October, 7-9 am. We're meeting on North Beach Road in front of the Lazy Lizard. Be part of something bigger!
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Elevate your event planning or retail offering with custom cosmetics bags designed for your clients! Perfect for: ➡ Event planners ➡ Retailers ➡ And businesses looking to leave a lasting impression, our eco-friendly bags can be tailored with your logo and style. 💅 Whether you need them for gift packages, giveaways, or store displays, our sustainable cosmetics bags combine functionality with a personalized touch. Show your clients you care about both style and the planet—place your logo here today! #CustomBranding #SustainableGifts #EventPlanningEssentials #Retailbags #BusinessGifts
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We are thrilled to have supplied Uzwelo bags for the LIASA 2024 Annual Conference—an event celebrating the vital role of libraries in South Africa’s 30-year journey of democracy. This year's theme, "Libraries in an Age of Democracy," focuses on how libraries have contributed to social cohesion, access to information, and education. Through these bags, we’re proud to support an environment that fosters learning and connection, and we are honored to be part of an initiative that nurtures both knowledge and community development. #LibrariesInDemocracy #UzweloBags #LIASA2024 #EducationForAll
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Today, we’re sharing a story that speaks to the heart of what Uzwelo does. In many rural areas, children walk for miles in harsh conditions just to reach school—often with nothing but a plastic packet to carry their belongings. That’s where the Uzwelo Poncho School Bag steps in, providing not only a durable bag filled with books and stationery but also a poncho to protect them from the elements. It’s a simple item that changes lives—giving students a sense of dignity and teachers peace of mind. This World Teachers’ Day, we honor those who work tirelessly to give these children a brighter future. Together, we’re making sure no journey is too hard to achieve an education. ❤️ #WorldTeachersDay #EducationForAll #UzweloBags #MakingADifference
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Meet Sandile, a proud and valued member of the Uzwelo team who has been with us for 6 years. His presence reminds us every day of the beauty of inclusion and the importance of communication. We can't express enough how important it is to know basic sign language, and thanks to the e-Deaf app we now have the opportunity to learn. Helping us connect with Sandile in meaningful ways. His passion and determination inspire us to learn every day, and we’re honored to have him as part of our team. Discover more about the e-Deaf app: https://lnkd.in/eE74g7SC eDEAF #InclusionMatters #ProudTeam #SignLanguageSkills
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We’re thrilled to have supported the 10th Annual Happy Earth Festival with prizes. This event was organized in partnership with the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization at the KZN Botanical Gardens, bringing together over 40 schools and 20 environmental groups, celebrating a decade of connecting kids to nature through interactive environmental education. Uzwelo proudly contributed sustainable bags to this inspiring initiative, helping young learners engage with important topics like water conservation, biodiversity, and recycling. We’re honored to play a role in fostering a love for nature and sustainability in future generations. 🌱 #HappyEarthFestival #UzweloBags #ConservationEducation #Sustainability
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Uzwelo Bags reposted this
UPDATE: Durban World Clean Up Day Event Postponed. Due to the heavy rain forecast for Saturday morning, we’ve decided to postpone our Durban World Clean Up Day event. We’ve rescheduled it for Saturday, 28th September at 7 AM on Virginia Beach. Thanks so much for understanding! We look forward to seeing you there next weekend for a great cleanup effort! Parley for the Oceans Uzwelo Bags Expand A Sign International
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