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The launch of commercial radio station Kaya FM’s e-commerce platform – ShopKaya – was nothing short of elegant, delectable and initially confusing to me.
Arriving at the Gallery Momo in Parktown North on Tuesday evening, I was curious what “The home of the Afropolitan” had in store for its guests.
I mean, a radio station launching an e-commerce platform?
However, Trevor Mwale, the station’s director of finance explained: “According to research we did a couple of years ago, Afropolitans have not taken to online shopping.
“The major reason they raised was around trust. They do not trust the [online] platforms where they have to disclose some of their sensitive information,” Mwale said.
“The idea of the Kaya e-commerce platform is to change the shopping patterns of Afropolitans. [We want them] to embrace online shopping. As Kaya we are a trusted and prominent platform therefore they can trust our online shopping platform,” he said.
A large #KayaShop sign, created using brightly lit globes, greeted the guests at the entrance. Beautifully decorated with some gorgeous as well as not so attractive artworks on the wall, the interior was brightly lit with white roses hanging from the ceiling.
I walked around to look at some of the products on display – products that can be purchased on Kaya’s online store. The African theme was obvious and according to Mwale this is because the station supports small businesses in Africa.
On offer were beautifully crafted mirrors in the shape of the continent, wooden chopping boards, wooden giraffe wine holders and awkward-looking scatter cushions that I honestly mistook for rainbow-coloured hats.
My personal favourite of the night were the leather goods – aprons, wine bags and knife holders.
Everything made of leather was just mesmerising. When I finally met the creators of the elegant leather items – sisters Mpumi Mazibuko and Thembi Mazibuko-Kahimbaara – it all made sense.
They told me that, together with their mother, they own and run Leather Zulu, a company that “makes a variety of leather items ranging from handbags to homewear”.
“Our whole thing is to create a brand that has really well-made leather products that go across the spectrum but that also have a very African look and feel to them,” Mpumi said.
The evening, attended by radio and TV personality Azania Mosaka, was all in all “a celebration of art, a taste of exuberant melodies in my mouth and stunning accessories that accentuate living spaces and more.”
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