Affromania's involvement with the community began almost immediately upon formation of the company in 1992.

Colette Dumas, one of Affromania's founders, was a volunteer worker for Streetwise, a project involved with street children. Affromania regularly donated clothing designed by the company to the project.

Later, as the company evolved, the focus turned to glass products. This led to varying packaging requirements. The company needed packaging material that was durable and complemented its products.

This led to a partnership with community workers in Sebokeng, a township in the south of Johannesburg. The workers made buckets and basins out of sheet metal, selling their products to the local community.

Affromania submitted various packaging designs to the company. Thus began a partnership that has seen new packaging custom-built to suit new products.

These range from small round and square tins for coasters, to large "briefcases" for the champagne flutes. Wirework is also utilised for specific product packaging.

Today there are three small township companies contracted solely for packaging needs.

The tins are high quality, sheet metal, sandblasted or printed with company logos or funky ethnic African pictures and designs.

The packaging is either black on silver or silver on black, creating a classy finish to a high-class, African-inspired product.

Furthermore, Affromania's in-house staff is given invaluable training in design techniques.

Click here for samples of packaging.