Our Story

From the soil of rural Zimbabwe to a workshop in Johannesburg, ours is a story shaped by the land, the hands that work it, and a deep respect for natural materials.

The name we carry. We take our name from the Sulcata tortoise: the third-largest tortoise in the world, the largest to walk the mainland, and the only living species of its kind. It is a fitting symbol of strength, resilience, and a life measured in generations. Those are the principles we build into everything we make.

Where it began.

Our story begins in Gokwe, in the remote rural villages of Zimbabwe, where a hands-on way of life shaped our craft from an early age. From tilling the land behind an ox-drawn plough to rearing cattle and supporting the community around us, working with one’s hands was never simply a skill. It was a way of life.

A craft takes hold.

That foundation travelled with us to Johannesburg. In 2014, an introduction to leather strap-cutting and belt-making marked the beginning of something more. What began as a simple craft soon became a passion: a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and feel of leather, echoing a connection to home and a way of living shaped by the land. Sulcatas was founded in 2016.

Where we are today.

Today, Sulcatas remains a family-driven craft. Each piece is made with care and intention, continuing a journey rooted in tradition, shaped by experience, and refined over time.