Goldspoon: Turning Township Creativity into Luxury Craftsmanship

Goldspoon is a story of transformation, where overlooked materials are reborn as timeless treasures. Founded in 2019 by Sibulele Ntobe, the brand began with handcrafted wine racks, coffee tables, and furniture made from pallet wood. What started as simple experimentation soon evolved into a luxury design house when Sibulele partnered with Yondi in 2021, blending the strength of wood with the elegance of leather.

Over time, Goldspoon has grown into a proudly township born brand producing high quality, bespoke accessories. Today, its range includes handbags, travel bags, wallets, cardholders, belts, earrings, and custom-made products that often carry the names of their clients, creating a deeply personal connection between maker and customer. Each piece reflects a devotion to craftsmanship, with meticulous attention to detail and a philosophy that treasures authenticity.

Goldspoon is more than a design label; it is a symbol of empowerment. The company is 100% Black youth owned, with notable female representation, and deeply rooted in the township spirit of innovation and resilience. Its mission is to redefine luxury, proving that world class products can be crafted anywhere, even from materials others overlook.

The ECDC has been instrumental in shaping this journey. Recognising Goldspoon’s potential, the ECDC named it the “Best Upcoming Crafter” in 2023, a milestone that propelled the brand onto bigger stages. With the ECDC’s support, Goldspoon honed its skills at the Astoria Workshop in Cape Town, gained critical insights into export markets at the Export Symposium, and showcased its work nationally at the Rand Show in Johannesburg. The ECDC also facilitated collaborations at All Fashion Sourcing in Cape Town and enabled participation in exhibitions like Lithuba Lakho.

These partnerships have not only increased Goldspoon’s visibility but also strengthened its growth capacity, positioning it within a wider movement to place Eastern Cape craftsmanship at the centre of South Africa’s creative economy. Today, Goldspoon’s work can be found at the Eastern Cape Craft Collection Shop and the prestigious Watershed Store at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, both of which connect local artistry to global markets.

Beyond commercial success, Goldspoon remains committed to community development. In 2021, the brand began hosting events with local partners to celebrate the richness of Eastern Cape art, fashion, and tourism. This spirit of collaboration reflects its belief that design can serve both as cultural expression and as a force for collective upliftment.

From radio interviews across the province to exhibitions on national platforms, Goldspoon continues to tell the Eastern Cape story through wood and leather. As members of Proudly South African, Sibulele and Yondi are determined to carry their township born heritage to the world stage, proving that luxury can be rooted in authenticity, community, and sustainability.

Goldspoon is a testimony to what “Made in the Eastern Cape” truly means. It is about innovation born in the township, nurtured by institutions like the ECDC, and celebrated on global stages. Every handbag, wallet, and accessory is a reminder that when creativity meets opportunity, the Eastern Cape becomes a source of treasures that inspire pride and possibility.