Must Visit Places – Tsakani Silk
When staying at our Mbombela accommodation, you’ll never find yourself short of things to do and places to go. One place you simply have to make a turn at is Tsakani Silk.
Just off the R40, about 5km from Mbombela, on the Mpumalanga University Road, you’ll find Tsakani Silk. Pioneers in the development of silk products in South Africa, this company was privatised in 1994 and since then the Tsakani trademark is its natural products that are made from both cultivated and wild silk.
The wild silk comes from the Gonometa Postica, a moth species that is found in the Kalahari region. Harvested on a sustainable basis, the cocoons are de-gummed and processed in Botswana, Nambia and South Africa. The silk from these moths are fawn coloured and it is slightly textured with a soft sheen.
The other silk used, is cultivated silk, one of the most sought after types of silk in the world. Discovered in China 2000 years ago, this silk is the well-known Mulberry silk, from the “Bombyx Mori”, that we all grew up. Those silkworms you fed with Mulberry leaves as a child are the worms which produce this silk. The Mulberry silk drapes beautifully and is yellow/white in colour.
Today Tsakani Silk no longer farms the silk but rather focuses on the creation of unique quality products. From developing the first silk filled duvets, they have come a long way over the years and are now responsible for the manufacturing of a range of Wild African Silk Products. These are some of the products you can buy:
- Clothing
Tsakani Silk today has a wide selection of both men and women’s clothing. After the silk has been dyed, beautiful dresses, tops and jackets are created. Hand dyed exquisitely woven silk scarves and beautifully draped stoles, will add a touch of style to your attire. For the men, they also have one of a kind hand-painted ties. - Décor
Tsakani Silks’ throws are made from hand spun and hand loomed silks in a host of textures, colours and styles. Scatter cushions are available in a variety of sizes and styles to add that special feel to your home. Their bedroom products include silk filled duvets with silk duvet cover sets, silk blankets and why not spoil yourself with real silk sheets and pillow slips. The duvets need never be washed, as all a silk duvet needs is a sun cure or airing a few times a year. - Lingerie
Tsakani silk has a range of lingerie which includes Silk Nighties, Camisoles and Knickers for the ladies and Silk Boxer Shorts for men. They also include in the lingerie range stunning dressing gowns for both men and women. - Other Products
Other products that can be purchased at Tsakani Silk are handmade soaps and potpourris. They sell a natural insect repellent as well as a Rosemary room spray. Keep your drawers fragrant with their range of perfume balls that come in a range of fragrances. For the ladies, they have natural perfumes and men can choose from a cedar or ylang ylang shaving soap or beard oil.
