At Weylandts, design is a purposeful act driven by meaning. For decades, our philosophy has championed the raw beauty of nature, the strength of simplicity, and the stories embedded in every material and maker.
This October, we celebrate that philosophy through a unique collaboration between Weylandts and Mulberry Mongoose, in support of the Kingsley Holgate Foundation.
This is more than a showcase of products. It’s a gathering of like-minded people committed to creating positive change through craft, storytelling, and conscious conservation. It’s about the power of African brands that are intentional about their influence.
Operating from the South Luangwa Valley in Zambia, Mulberry Mongoose creates distinctive jewellery using recovered snare wire – an illegal poaching method that threatens wildlife across the region. In the hands of a small team of local women, this wire is transformed into something entirely different: wearable pieces with a story of resilience, and strength. These artisans sand, hammer, and twist the found wire by hand, combining it with sustainably sourced materials like wood, feathers, and semi-precious stones to create iconic, one-of-a-kind pieces.
The brand’s ethos is grounded in authenticity and collaboration. In every bracelet and necklace lies a powerful duality: beauty born from adversity, and design underpinned by purpose. Since its inception, Mulberry Mongoose has donated over $165,000 to conservation efforts and brought global attention to the possibilities of ethical African design.
This shared philosophy is what drew us to collaborate with Mulberry Mongoose. At Weylandts, we have always believed in honouring the origin of materials and the intention behind design. Our collections are built on the principles of sustainability, design, and respect for natural form. To partner with a brand that embodies these same values, and whose every piece tells a story of transformation and hope, is a privilege.
We are also proud to support the Kingsley Holgate Foundation as part of this event. Kingsley Holgate, often referred to as “the most travelled man in Africa,” is a celebrated humanitarian, adventurer, and storyteller. For decades, he and his team have used exploration as a vehicle for social and environmental impact, leading expeditions that reach the most remote parts of the continent. These journeys are not only geographical but deeply human.
In recent years, their focus has expanded to conservation. Working closely with African Parks, Gorongosa National Park, and SANParks, they engage in community conservation campaigns that include youth education, indigenous tree planting, and biodiversity protection. Their approach is immersive, hands-on, and deeply rooted in Africa.
There’s a beautiful synergy in this triangular collaboration between Weylandts, Mulberry Mongoose, and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation. At its core is an appreciation for design with integrity, craft with purpose, and exploration with impact. But together, we form a compelling narrative about what’s possible when ideas are driven by connection.
The event at our Kramerville store will bring this narrative to life. It will be a gathering of conservationists, creatives, explorers, media, and supporters. There will be an auction hosted by leading auctioneer Joff van Reenen, featuring rare pieces like the Mulberry Mongoose bracelet worn by Kingsley Holgate during his epic 41st expedition (a 60,000 km journey across Africa in service of conservation). All proceeds will support the work of the Foundation.
Through this partnership, we honour the resilience of African creativity. We celebrate the women who turn snare wire into beauty. We stand alongside those who journey thousands of kilometres to serve remote communities. And we continue to believe that the best design is that which speaks to both the soul and the earth.
