HOME SEWING – HOME OF THE
ORIGINAL SHWESHWE

Da Gama’s Home Sewing Division is a major supplier to the South African retailers and wholesalers, and provides a link to home sewers in the informal sector.  The hallmark of the division is its niche market branded merchandise that has become synonymous with quality.  Consumers trust these brands and demand them, rather than cheap imitations.  Da Gama is the only textile company in South Africa that makes the original Shweshwe and has been dressing the nation since 1948. Some of the recognised brands include: Plain dyed FASCO, EDENROSE and UNITEX The original Shweshwe ethic printed 3 CATS and 3 LEOPARDS which are acid discharge prints on cotton calico

These Shweshwe ranges have the unique traditional characteristics of taste, touch and smell, and the back stamp confirms that they are authentic products – THE ORIGINAL SHWESHWE, that's part of the real appeal of Shweshwe and the reason why Da Gama has continued to invest in its Zwelitsha plant to keep this traditional fabric going.  The manufacturing process remains traditional, whereby fabric is fed through copper rollers which have patterns etched on the surface, allowing a weak acid solution to be fed into the fabric, bleaching out the distinctive white designs.  The fabric can be easily identified for its intricate all-over prints and beautiful panels.