- Various small businesses are now making fabric face masks, after the health ministry called on South Africans to wear face masks in public.
- We have identified some of the coolest masks currently on offer.
- For more stories go to the Business Insider South Africa homepage.
Various businesses have resorted to making fabric face masks after a call by health minister Zweli Mhkize for South Africans to wear cloth masks to help limit the spread of Covid-19, rather than using medical masks reserved for healthcare workers.
"Wearing masks is important. We want to recommend widespread use of masks. We are recommending that people use cloth masks and just make sure there's a three-layer kind of thing," Mhkize said during a briefing last week.
Here are some of the coolest fabric masks you can now buy:
Mzansi Masks
Mzansi Masks is selling masks retailing between R90 and R100. You can order their masks online.
The masks are available in child and adult sizes in a variety of fun designs and colours.
Delivery: Yes. Delivery charges between R60 and R175 may apply.
Delivery time: Between 1-4 days.
N'waMburhi Accessories
Originally a maker of wedding accessories and gifts, N'waMburhi Accessories now also makes customised masks that retail at R50 a piece.
The masks are made from various traditional Tsonga material and can be ordered via Instagram direct message or Whatsapp (078 177 6627).
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: Dependent on number of units.
Sexy Socks
Founded in 2014, the sock and jock maker now sells cloth face masks retailing at R55 a piece. The masks can be bought from their website.
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days.
House of Hohwa
A fashion line founded by Zimbabwean-born designer, Kuda Matiza, the company is currently working in partnership with the Newtown Junction Mall, in Johannesburg, to make cloth face masks for the public.
The initiative was started to create awareness and teach people about staying safe.
The masks retail for R100 on House of Hohwa's website.
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: Please select Aramex PnP as your delivery option when placing an order for a face mask on the website. This will be dependent on Aramex PnP.
Ballo
Ballo, a Cape Town company known for making sunglasses, clothes, hat hangers, and even pots from recycled materials, has also joined the call to make cloth face masks.
The masks are made from discarded pieces of material at R150 per unit. They are also giving away 1 mask for free, to someone in need, for every mask purchased on their website.
The masks feature a pleated double layer cotton cloth construction and easy to fit elastic-over-ear design. You can order the masks online.
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: Delivery times may vary, but allow for 1-4 working days.
Zana
Cape Town-based fashion brand, Zana is making adjustable cloth face masks that retail between R270 and R1,050.
Sue Britz, the company's co-founder makes the masks in isolation and they can be ordered from their website.
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: Allow for 5-7 days for production and two days to courier.
Mia Melange
Mia Melange, based in Stellenbosch, andcrafts interior decor and lifestyle products predominantly from 100% rope. They are currently make masks that retail for R75.
A portion of the masks's sales will be donated to Stellenbosch Unite, a collaborative aid action for the support of vulnerable communities during the pandemic.
Delivery: Yes.
Delivery time: Allow for 5 to 7 working days before despatch.
#MasksforGood
#MasksforGood, an initiative by Exemplar REITail and the Youth Employment Service (YES), are supplying free cloth face masks to shopping centres in townships and rural areas across the country.
The masks are made by local seamstresses and are distributed free of charge at shopping centres owned by Exemplar's McCormick Property Development group.
McCormick owns centres in townships and rural areas across the country. They are the developers of the new Mall of Tembisa to be completed at the end of 2020.
Speaking to Business Insider South Africa, Jason McCormick, Exemplar CEO, says they hope to make supplies for as many people as possible. The project, which piloted at Alex Mall will be rolled soon be rolled out to the company's various malls across the country. Though masks are free, donations can be made at the shopping centres.
Donation details are available at the various centres.
Receive a daily update on your cellphone with all our latest news: click here.
Get the best of our site emailed to you daily: click here.
Also from Business Insider South Africa:
- The design of SA’s first ventilator for mass production is expected within days
- Meet Quintin the robot, who's doing ward rounds in a Cape Town hospital during Covid-19
- Here’s how South African interest rates compare to the rest of the world
- Wanted: 72 million more sets of gloves, and 82 million more masks, for SA’s Covid-19 crisis
- Gold now costs R1 million a kilogram - and could climb even higher
- SA companies asked to pay suppliers by 20 April
