This eye-catching cube of a building at the top end of Soweto’s famous Vilakazi Street, opposite Vilakazi restaurant, was built entirely from shipping containers. A chic space, The Box Shop is a business incubator designed to promote new and up-and-coming Soweto-based brands, and give opportunities to small businesses.

The ground floor houses a boutique chockful of fabulous local fashion labels, skin care products, and accessories. Local sockwear designer Skinny Sbu has even created a signature range of socks for the store bearing the map of Soweto, another pair emblazoned with key tenets of The Freedom Charter. A really novel Soweto gift.

The Box Shop’s philosophy is wittily captured in the black and white signs posted on the store’s walls. ‘Black is back’ shouts out one wall, while the back of the store displays artwork by local artist, Mofolo-born Senzo Nhlapo, and a sign that reads ‘Do more of what makes you happy…Shop!’

Upstairs you’ll find a small store showcasing furniture and small homeware items by Casanyumba and other designers, and next door is Kofi, Soweto’s first coffee roaster. Stop in for a hot cup – afrikano, kafe moka, kapacino or flat white, or try one of the exotically named frozen drinks, which include a kiwi zulu and a hamba ubuye. We tried the trusted kofi frizo, perfect for a hot Soweto day. The covered deck outside the Kofi Shop is a great space to park and enjoy a pastry.