South Africa’s counterfeit market value amounts to 362 million US$ (3.62 billion rand, source), and the 2007 Global Software Piracy Study revealed a piracy rate of 34%, equalling a loss to the software industry alone of 284 million US$ (2.84 billion rand).

As part of an increasingly globalized economy, and therefore experiencing the same problems with illegal trade stemming from that globalization, South Africa is far from immune to the counterfeit trade.

Here’s a quick run through of some of South Africa’s counterfeiting lows:

• Seizures of counterfeit goods by the SA Revenue Service reportedly increased by 46 percent from 2004/05, when goods worth 235 million rand (23.5 million US$) were seized, to 2005/06, when merchandise worth 540 million rand (54.2 million US$) was netted. These seizures included DVDs, CDs, clothing, footwear, mobile phone accessories, motor vehicle parts and cosmetics.
• In 2006 an estimated 2 billion rand (200 million US$) was lost in counterfeit cigarettes, at which point it was estimated that this figure was set to increase at an annual rate of 2%. At the end of 2008 counterfeit cigarettes proved a problem once again when police in Johannesburg seized a truck transporting about 4.1 million rand (410,000 US$) worth of counterfeit cigarettes entering South Africa from Mozambique.
• Back in 2006 the SA Revenue Service customs seized counterfeit goods bearing the 2010 Fifa World Cup logo, four years before the tournament is even to begin!
• Local markets have most commonly been affected by counterfeit electrical goods but the country has also witnessed a recent growth in other sectors, including medicines, such as Viagra and healthcare products such as Colgate toothpaste, tubes of which were found containing the toxic substance DEG.
• Software piracy is another area for concern; according to the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law global piracy studies have revealed that a reduction in software piracy of just ten percent in South Africa, over a four-year period, would likely boost the South African economy by an amount in excess of 12 billion rand (1.2 billion US$). Thousands of jobs could be created and hundreds of millions of rand in tax revenues would be gained, which goes to show how much the country is losing out right now.

So, the South African counterfeit picture is clearly not a pretty one. (Although it is interesting to note that it does not feature on the U.S. 2007 “301 Watch List” of countries with weak laws allowing counterfeiting to flourish and intellectual property rights to be ignored, whereas Canada does, and prominently at that) However, South Africa acknowledges it has a problem with counterfeiting, which is the first step that needs to be taken, and the section below details the new measures that have been applied. In South Africa, as everywhere else, the unavoidable fact is that the answer lies with the consumer, and it is true to say that counterfeit trade is flourishing due to the support it receives from consumers buying the products on the streets and at informal flea markets. To quote the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law: “Ultimately, counterfeiting is fuelled by the consumers who are willing to buy counterfeit goods: the evaporation of the market for non-genuine articles will rapidly see the evaporation of the counterfeit-goods industry itself. Consequently - and apart from the extreme importance of global co-operation on all levels against counterfeiting - consumer education is key.”

Current legislation and action against the counterfeiters
South Africa is part of the global offensive against the illicit trade and smuggling of counterfeit goods and as such aligns itself with other World Customs Organization member states in a joint initiative to wipe out counterfeit trade.

Over ten years ago, back in 1998, a new Counterfeit Goods Act was enacted in South Africa, which was designed to meet the increasing problem of counterfeiting in the country. However, a 2007 article in the online trade magazine Engineering News stated that South Africa was still lacking a clear national strategy on counterfeit goods, and suggested that it is largely being left to the trademark infringed companies themselves to protect their intellectual property and trademarks.

The penalties provided by the Counterfeit Goods Act include, in the case of a first conviction, any person convicted of an offence being punished with a fine in respect of each article or item, which may not exceed 5000 rand per article or item, or imprisonment for a period that may not exceed three years, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction the fine for each article or item may not exceed 10000 rand per item or article and imprisonment may not exceed five years.

The Act also introduced one interesting provision that operates as an incentive to combat the trade in counterfeit goods. Any person who submits counterfeit goods they have purchased to an inspector, together with proof of the price that was paid for the goods, may be entitled to receive payment of the sum of money equal to three times the amount of the price, thus creating a sort of reward system for consumers and encouraging them to get involved with policing the problem.

The SA Revenue Service claims to be realigning itself to effectively tackle the illegal trade by strengthening customs cooperation throughout the region with key trading partners and stakeholders, as well as focused enforcement activities.

Plans are also under way to strengthen the legal powers of the SA Revenue Service to take action and to sharpen its ability to detect illicit goods.

The organization is in the process of creating a new customs border control unit that aims to greatly enhance existing anti-smuggling activities, plus dedicated customs intellectual property rights teams have already been installed and are operating at major ports of entry.
A number of campaigns and initiatives have been launched over the past few years and key movers in South African trade and industry seem to be taking the country’s counterfeit problem very seriously.
A while back in 2004, the South African Federation against Copyright Theft (SAFACT) launched a public awareness campaign with the message Stop Piracy, Stop Crime. Their Crime Sucks!! website contains information about what piracy is, its negative effects, and how to recognize and report pirated goods. The campaign included television and radio advertisements urging consumers not to buy pirated games and DVDs. Billboards, posters, stickers and leaflets were also distributed throughout South Africa as part of this campaign.

In October 2008, Microsoft South Africa launched its Genuine Fact Files campaign, designed to generate awareness of the risks of counterfeit and other types of pirated software. The campaign also focused on educating people about and promoting the value of using genuine Microsoft licensed software and how to “Get Genuine.” Microsoft South Africa also proactively supports the ‘BSA Reward Campaign’, which financially rewards employees who report their companies for using illegal software, again putting the onus on individuals to act responsibly regarding the counterfeit industry.

Another good example of South Africa’s proactive stance and use of consumers to combat the crime of counterfeiting comes in the form of an innovative 2006 campaign by the South African Anti Piracy Foundation. This campaign involved joining pirate vendors at street corners to sell fake discs but once the buyers of the fakes tried to play the DVDs they realized they'd made a big mistake; after a few moments of the genuine movie, a message appears on the screen: "Thank you for buying this DVD. Your 40 rand have been donated to the Anti Piracy Foundation. Piracy is a crime." The long term effect of a campaign like this is two-fold; it will shock consumers when they discover they have been caught out as well as acting as a deterrent because it will make consumers wary that they might end up with one of the campaign fakes instead of the real fake they had intended to buy!

When it comes to pirated music, local productions from independent record companies have been especially hard hit. The Association of Independent Record Companies South Africa (AIRCO) has therefore instigated its own anti-piracy program involving the Department of Arts and Culture in consultation with AIRCO and other organizations similarly committed to cracking down on the music pirates.

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) http://www.risa.org.za/ is the main body representing the South African music industry. Its Stop Piracy http://www.stoppiracy.org.za/index.php campaign is dedicated to informing the public through awareness and education and enforcing the rights of its member artists. Through the website consumers can also report fakes that they have encountered or purchased: “Report it, don’t support it” being one of the campaign slogans.

In a bid to actively encourage and nurture the concept of South African brands, an organization known as Brand Leadership launched a pan-African initiative in 2007 known as Leading Brands.As a platform for brand leaders across Africa to share best practices and insights on building brands in Africa, the initiative was designed to equip South African business and marketing leaders with skills and latest thinking and practices in building enduring and profitable brands. If South Africa can create strong brands of its own, the country will be on the road to reducing consumer interest in counterfeited foreign brands, thereby improving the economy and giving the beleaguered retailers of genuine products a much-needed boost.

Products to look out for
Cigarettes
Currently the biggest counterfeit story emanating from South Africa, illegal cigarettes are mainly smuggled into the country from Zimbabwe. Other countries of origin include neighbouring countries in the SADC region, as well as the Middle East and Far East. While fake cigarettes are easier on your wallet, these products are largely of a sub-standard quality, as well as being illegal. Smoking is bad for your health but smoking fakes cigarettes significantly increases the risks you are taking. Fake cigarettes often contain tobacco that has been adulterated with other substances and laboratory analyses of fake cigarettes have revealed far higher amounts of carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine (63%, 75%, and 28%, respectively) than those in genuine cigarette. Be aware and beware that legitimate businesses can even unwittingly stock fake cigarettes, and some can knowingly stock them in the hope of making some extra money.

Of course you can avoid the more obvious sales approaches via street vendors or random people offering you cheap cigarettes. If you are offered a cut-price carton of cigarettes, just say no. It is notoriously difficult to spot counterfeit cigarettes from the packaging, which is often identical to the genuine cigarettes. So your best bet is to go by taste, flavour and texture. If your usual smoke tastes stronger than usual and leaves you feeling a bit giddy-headed, stub it out because you may well be smoking a fake cigarette. Click here for more articles on counterfeit cigarettes in South Africa.

Colgate toothpaste
In 2007 South Africa was named as the source of counterfeit Colgate toothpaste that was surfacing in discount stores in the USA. “There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain (the toxic chemical) diethylene glycol,” was the statement released by the Colgate-Palmolive company at the time. At a glance, these tubes of fake Colgate toothpaste seemed indistinguishable from the genuine article but closer scrutiny revealed typographical and grammatical errors. If it’s happened before, it can happen again so inform yourself and be prepared to encounter counterfeit toothpaste in South Africa. Click here for detailed information about what package errors to look out for.

Food and alcohol
Back in 2005 there was a much-publicized problem with counterfeit food in South Africa. According to government officials and the police, even staple food items, such as rice, baked beans, maize and masala, were being peddled on street corners and at flea markets under false labels. A lot of this food had to be destroyed and was classified as unacceptable for human consumption. Counterfeit food and alcohol products are often found to be of highly-inferior quality and have even been found to contain toxic substances, so the threat that the consumption of these goods poses to human life cannot be over-estimated. Basic rules? Be very cautious about buying food products from markets and street vendors. Go for local recommendations for places to eat; an eatery with a good reputation and plenty of clientele is less likely to risk cutting corners by buying in low-cost, possibly adulterated food products. And use your common sense: if it doesn’t taste right, be it food or drink, leave it.

Cosmetics and toiletries
Fake beauty products are a continuing problem here and the country is battling against a steady influx of counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries from the East and neighbouring countries. Fake versions of many ‘fine’ fragrances and cosmetics such as Estée Lauder, Yves Saint Laurent, Hugo Boss and Lacoste have been seized. Fake cosmetics can contain residue of industrial solvents and carcinogens leading to severe allergic reactions so should be avoided at all costs. Don’t buy cheap perfume or cosmetics anywhere except from reputable department stores or at duty free shops.

Entertainment and software
In South Africa, pirated movie sales account for 60% of the country’s DVD market, costing the industry an annual R500-million and in recent years the police have seized massive hauls of counterfeit movies and music. Home-grown artists and productions as well as blockbuster Hollywood and even Bollywood movies are being copied and sold, mainly by street vendors. Back in 2004 it was estimated that about 40 percent of DVDs in South Africa were pirated copies. The situation may have improved slightly now, largely thanks to the efforts of the South African Anti Piracy Foundation, but it is good to be aware of the situation; the pirated movies available here are often of very poor quality and not even worth the 49 rand (5 US$) they will cost you. Click here for an excellent description of how to detect fake DVDs.

When it comes to pirated music, local artists have been hard-hit and that is simply quite sad for South African talent as it has negative impact on the potential for young and upcoming artists to get their music listened to in their own country, as well as reaching out to the rest of the world. RiSA’s Stop Piracy website  has a wealth of information on counterfeit music in South Africa, how to avoid buying fakes and convincing arguments for why you should avoid them.

There has been a steady increase in the amount of counterfeit software pushed into South Africa, mostly from Asia, and some so sophisticated as to include fake licenses. A while back Microsoft implemented a “clean dealer” campaign in South Africa, the idea being to enable users to identify the resellers who have made a commitment to selling only genuine software. The program was launched following requests from retailers and consumers who wanted to be sure they were buying legal goods. The penalties for using illegal software can be as high as R5 000 and/or three years in jail, per illegal copy, so the authorities are taking illegal software seriously. Microsoft has since stepped up its fight against pirated and counterfeit software with the announcement on 21 October 2008, of the “Global Anti-Piracy Day,” a simultaneous launch of education initiatives and enforcement actions in 49 countries on six continents. In South Africa, the day was marked with two raids on dealers in Durban suspected of selling illegal software.

“Our genuine software initiative is aimed at helping people understand and avoid the risks of using counterfeit software. For example, online validation tools for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office make it easy for people to verify whether their software is genuine. Should the software end up being counterfeit, customers are provided with information on what they can do to secure a legitimate copy,” said a Microsoft spokesperson. With one third of PCs in South Africa containing unlicensed, pirated or counterfeit software, Microsoft has an uphill struggle ahead of it.

Software piracy threatens the ability of the South African software industry to continue to contribute to the economy. You know that the negatives and risks of buying counterfeit software vastly outweigh the positives, so don’t help to push the South African statistics even higher by knowingly purchasing fake software. And if you’re not sure if it’s fake or not, just don’t buy it.

Luxury clothing
Counterfeit luxury brands hit South Africa big time, post apartheid. Before, international brands were something only rich people could bring back from overseas. But with the demise of apartheid, the floodgates opened to an array of new brands on the market and trademark clothes became available practically overnight. South African brand-consciousness was born.

The legacy of this is partly reflected in the thousands of hawkers on South Africa’s streets now forging a living out of selling counterfeit goods. They are the final link in a sophisticated supply chain run by organized crime syndicates who use South Africa as a lucrative dumping ground for copies of well-known brands. Counterfeit products they sell are either imported, mainly from Thailand, picked up by distributors who then sell them on to hawkers, or originally no-name products with the necessary trademarks subsequently sewn in. Increasingly the counterfeits are being produced on home turf in warehouses and garages rather than being brought in from abroad.

From the consumers’ point of view, why pay between R700 and R1 000 for a genuine pair of Pumas when you can spend a fraction of that price on a fake pair? Inevitably local retailers are being affected by the ever-increasing availability of counterfeit products on the streets, and that means that South African economy as a whole is also being affected. Some canny shopkeepers have even taken to selling genuine brands at low cost prices in a bid to encourage consumers to buy them and experience the difference in quality compared to the fakes. But with counterfeit versions available of virtually every branded product you see in the shops, they have a tough battle ahead of them.

Shopping tips
Although not a capital city, Johannesburg is the biggest and by far the most economically important city in South Africa. Cape Town, one of the three capitals also including Pretoria and Bloenfontein, holds similar significance when it comes to tourist trade and economical importance, so our Shopping Tips section for South Africa will focus on these two major tourist destinations.

Johannesburg
Johannesburg is steadily gaining itself the reputation of being Counterfeit Capital of South Africa and frequent raids by the South African Revenue Service's national investigation unit and the police on shops in central Johannesburg have resulted in the confiscation of masses of illegally imported and counterfeit goods. Joburg Mall, for example, is known as a hotspot for counterfeit and illegal imports and clothing shops here have started to enter into the practice of importing substantial amounts of illegal goods in the run-up to the festive season. As Host City of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the onus will be on Joburg to clean up its act and reduce the trade in counterfeits, especially clothing.

Johannesburg boasts a fantastic array of shopping malls. Opening hours at the malls are generally daily 0900-1800 (although the smaller ones close on Sunday afternoons). Prices in shopping malls are always fixed.

Here is a list of the major Johannesburg shopping centres:

Cresta Shopping Centre
Situated on the corner of Beyers Naude and Weltevreden Rd, Cresta, Randburg, this shopping centre was originally built back in 1977 and has gone through a number of refurbishments since then. Back in the early days the shopping centre had a model train that shoppers could ride on and hop off at various places along the way to do their shopping. The giant turntable that the train turned around on became a popular attraction in itself. Since the train’s removal in the late eighties, the Cresta Shopping Centre has been just another mall with nothing that special on offer. It caters for all needs but isn’t that exciting a shopping destination, seems to be the general consensus.

Eastgate Mall
Also likes to call itself ‘Africa’s largest shopping centre’ and houses everything from designer shops to department stores, cinemas and restaurants. It also has some useful speciality stores for travellers such as photography labs and camping goods outlets.

East Rand Mall
This is a large complex situated on the East Rand, Gauteng, with a combination of outlets includes all of South Africa's major chain stores and a host of smaller specialized stores. Restaurants, coffee shops and a nine-screen cinema are also on offer here.

Fourways Mall
This is a very popular mall with locals and tourists alike and it can get very busy so, for less hectic shopping, it’s best to avoid peak shopping hours (i.e. weekends). It houses large chains such as Woolworths, Edgar’s, Checkers Hyper, Foschini, Truworths, as well as smaller chains, chemists, photography shops, bookshops, cinemas and gift stores, to name a few. If you fancy a breath of fresh air, there is also an outdoor area where you can play adventure golf.

Greenstone shopping centre
Opened in 2007, Greenstone has 150 stores of almost every description. Most of the big stores are here such as Pick n'Pay and Clicks plus many more. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants for taking a pit stop in. The atmosphere is airy and light, it's extremely easy to get around and there are lots of bargains to be had.

Killarney Mall
Killarney Mall is one of Johannesburg's most established shopping centres. The atmosphere here is unpretentious, upmarket and modern and there is a huge variety of stores and businesses to choose from. Amongst some of the shopping gems here are:

Congo Joe for wonderful home ware; Zwilling Ja Henckels for serious kitchen utensils;
Boyes @ us for uniquely South African items for the home; the Chinese Supermarket housing a range of authentic Asian gifts.

Oriental Plaza
This is the centre of Indian shopping in Johannesburg. To quote from the website: “The Plaza has a deep, painful and proud history. Today it is a living memorial to the fight against apartheid, and it is the thriving heart of a robust community of traditional Indian traders.” Prices here are very reasonable and it is a popular destination for bargain hunters. Prices are not always fixed so there is scope for some bargaining if you feel up to it.

Rosebank Mall
Also situated in Gauteng, this shopping malls claims to fuse “the powerful magic of Africa with the elegance and sophistication of Europe to create a world of shopping splendour” (!) That aside, the African Craft Market and the Rooftop Market are warmly recommended for buying art and crafts from all over Africa.. It is also supposed to be a good place to buy South African music.

Sandton City
This is the largest shopping centre in the city (though Eastgate shopping centre competes with this title) offering the ultimate shopping experience. It has something for everyone; international and local shoppers alike. The 1,550,000 feet of shopping space and some 300 stores house everything from high-end boutiques to franchise fast-food outlets, and a tax-refund centre for tourists.

Southgate Mall
Calling itself ‘Soweto’s favourite shopping spot’, Southgate Mall is situated in the south of Johannesburg, five minutes from Soweto. It is perhaps its proximity to the birthplace of democratic South Africa, and the most dynamic former township area in the country that has moulded it into the cosmopolitan shopping experience it is today. There is a fine array of outlets here and the chance to find some great bargains.

Westgate Regional Shopping Centre
Located along Ontdekkers Road, the main route between Johannesburg's northern suburbs and the West Rand suburbs, Westgate promises ‘the complete shopping experience’. Unlike most other shopping centres in the region, almost all of Westgate is located on a single level, making it easier to navigate your way through the complex. It has plenty of great shops to suit all tastes and budgets.

Then there is a host of smaller, less flashy shopping experiences potentially offering more to bargain-hunting shoppers:

Bright Water Commons
The newly redeveloped Bright Water Commons is on the Randburg Waterfront and offers a delightful array of retail outlets, restaurants and pubs, as well as an exceptional flea market with over 350 stalls. The flea market is a permanent installation in a modern building at the heart of the Bright Water Commons. Market opening hours are: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5.30 pm, weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 6 am, closed on Monday. Here you can escape from city life, and enjoy a more relaxing pace, surrounded by trees and water.

Bruma Lake Flea Market
Located close to Eastgate shopping mall in the southern suburbs, Bruma Lake Flea Market is one of the biggest flea markets in South Africa, and you’ll find a splendid array of West African wood crafts, designer clothing, wire art, homemade toys, plastic gadgets, arts and crafts, curios, funky second-hand clothing, one-off fashions, furniture, textiles, and antiques from over 630 traders. It is a veritable haven for bargain hunters and the varied assortment of stalls, fast food and live ethnic entertainment makes this a great place to head out to at the weekend. Prices here are not fixed so there is scope for a bit of bargaining.

Crafters Market
Located at Clearwater Mall, the Crafters Market specializes in African crafts and curios and is a great place to head to for lovely souvenirs and presents, or just to browse handcrafted items from over 100 craftsman and artisans. Fixed pricing probably prevails here though. Open every day 9 am to 7 pm.

East Rand Flea Market
Situated on North Rand Road, this is one of Gauteng’s most popular shopping venues for bargain hunters. It has, however, had a reputation as haven for counterfeit software (click here to read more about this). The authorities may have clamped down by now but avoid buying software here all the same and stick to the local crafts and curios instead.

Market Theatre Flea Market
Situated on the corner of Bree and Wolhuter Streets, opposite the JNB Market Theatre, this is the perfect place to pick up indigenous crafts and curios such as wooden carvings, beaded dolls, wire work and toys. There’s also plenty of clothing, ceramics, collectibles, second-hand books and jewellery. It’s a lovely place to browse and enjoy the sunshine. The market is only held on Saturday mornings.

Panorama Flea Market
Newly reopened in January 2009, the Panorama Flea Market is known for its variety of goods and very reasonable prices. Besides the shopping, there is a beer garden to enjoy plus live entertainment. Opening hours are Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Factory shops can be bargain treasure troves. For example, the Big L factory outlet at Woodmead Super Value Centre sells genuine end-of-range Levi Strauss jeans at about half price. Click here for a list of factory shops located all over Johannesburg,

Click here for an external link offering an extensive and detailed list of individual shops in Johannesburg with a more specialized focus. These places aren’t necessarily where you’ll find bargains but will certainly fill you with ideas and inspiration if you are on the look out for something special to take back home with you.

Street market and stalls
The main roads of Johannesburg are lined with stands and streets markets where you can buy excellent local crafts. Bargaining is mainly expected when buying here, which can sometimes be tedious but can get you a good price and you always pay cash of course. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s good to take the time to browse at places like this as you get a more genuine experience than when shopping at a mall.

Cape Town
For international tourists, Cape Town is relatively inexpensive, partly due to the favourable exchange rate and relatively low production costs. Jewellery is particularly inexpensive and, as Cape Town is home to many talented goldsmiths and jewellery designers it’s a great place to be if you’re looking for something lasting and special to take home with you. Textiles are also well priced, particularly leather goods, sports and outdoor wear, as is art work, antiques, books and wine.

There are a number of excellent shopping malls in Cape Town, housing all the glamorous brands you could want. Here is a list of a few of the most popular ones with a bit of everything to offer tourists.

Blue Route Mall
20kms from the City Centre and ten minutes from the heart of Claremont and the False Bay coastal suburbs, Blue Route Mall is located in a particularly attractive area of the Western Cape and worth a visit for that reason alone. There is a wide-ranging mix of shops offering everything from current fashion to groceries, jewellery, a cinema and lots of restaurants.

Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Situated on Century Boulevard, Century City, Canal Walk Shopping Centre caters to both local and international consumers and has as its aim to provide the ‘ultimate shopping experience’. Many of the prices are ‘local’ rather than tourist so you can find better deals here. Just the building itself is worth a look, with its breath-taking architecture replete with fountains, palm trees, domes and clock tower. It has over 400 specialty shops, more than 30 eateries and a cinema complex.

Cape Quarter
This atmospheric outdoor shopping area is the place to head for if you are interested in home décor, art and artefacts, fashion, beauty, health and lifestyle. The Cape Malay architecture with cobbled streets and stylish design is stunning.

Constantia Village
Located en route to the Waterfront or Cape Point, Constantia Village houses a fine array of shops and restaurants in a classic rather than modern environment. It has two very good outdoor sports shops, Cape Union Mart and Sport Unlimited. Interestingly this shopping mall also involves itself with community issues and back in 2008 ran a Green by Nature campaign, an initiative highlighting the green-ness of the shops in the mall. It also runs a social responsibility programme entitled U’Bunch’U, which last year awarded support to the South Africa Riding for the Disabled Programme.

Somerset Mall
Situated in the heart of picturesque Helderberg, Somerset Mall has a lot to offer above and beyond the usual shopping experience. There is a varied mix of over 200 stores and restaurants, a cinema, food court and game arcade here. There is also a new adventure arena featuring a spectacular double climbing wall, providing an uninterrupted view of the stunning Helderberg Mountains.

Tyger Valley Shopping Centre
Situated just off the N1, a 12 minute drive from the Centre of Cape Town, Tyger Valley claims to be “the destination where international shoppers feel at home and Capetonians are proud to call their own”, meaning that it is aimed at locals as well as tourists so you can expect prices to be more reasonable. It has a nicely designed interior; lots of glass panelling and brushed steel, and houses 275 shops featuring brands such as Guess, Levi’s and Hang Ten. There is also a ten-screen cinema here.

V&A Waterfront
At the foot of Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the V&A Waterfront pitches itself at the tourist trade and this is reflected in the prices you will pay here. Having said that, it is a great place to shop or browse, have a bite to eat or go to a nightclub. There is also an African market here, where the prices are fairly reasonable but still higher than you might find elsewhere.

Willow Bridge
Directly opposite the Tyger Valley Shopping Centre (see above), is a self-proclaimed ‘life-style centre’, offering an open-air shopping experience. There is a focus on fashion, home wares and décor here and brands such as Fabiani, Sesto Senso, Es-T, Timberland and Blackbeard & Dare are represented here. The Barnyard Theatre is also located here, offering dinner theatre with live entertainment.

Craft and flea markets

Green Market Square
This is one of Cape Town’s oldest markets, situated on a cobbled street between Short and Long Market Streets. Popular amongst locals, here you can find great deals on clothing, jewellery, sandals, crafts and knick-knacks. It’s also a good place to go to for African curios, presents and souvenirs to take back home. Bartering is the name of the game here.

Red Shed Craft Market
You can coincide a visit to this market with a trip to the Two Oceans Aquarium next door. This is a vibrant, indoor craft market with a strong focus on handmade merchandise and art. You can pick up a fine array of traditional handcrafts, antiquities and holistic lifestyle accessories, all at reasonable, negotiable prices.

Green Point Market
Held every Sunday in the car park outside the Green Point stadium, the Green Point Market is one of the largest markets in Cape Town and well worth a visit.
Goods on offer range from CDs and sunglasses (please avoid potential fakes though!) to African art and beads. Note however that the construction of the new 2010 Fifa World Cup stadium means that the market will be temporarily relocated to nearby sites within the proximity of the old market.

Diamond-buying
The Diamond Works in Cape Town is a tourist attraction that offers visitors interesting insight into the art of diamond cutting and setting. Then, if you are feeling particularly flush, you can purchase a finished piece at the end of the tour! Since the revelations about the notorious blood or conflict diamonds, diamond-buying has become a humanitarian issue, click here  for detailed information about the humanitarian issues involved in purchasing diamonds.

A note on bartering
Fixed prices are non-negotiable but at markets and stalls you have the chance of getting the price down significantly. Be prepared to barter when buying crafts from informal stalls or on the side of the road. Sellers will try their luck and quote a high price at first. Haggle and get them down to at least 60% of the initial price.

VAT refund
In South Africa you are entitled to VAT back on all your purchases (in Europe you only get refunds on invoices greater than 100 Euros). Always make sure you get a tax invoice and you will be able to claim 14% VAT back at the airport. Just show the invoices and you will be given a cheque for direct refund. Give yourself plenty of time before catching your flight though because the queues are long.