About Us

A store that brings people together

De Afrikander Handelshuis was founded in 2013 by Charl and Liza-Mari Oberholzer. It started modestly as a stall at agricultural shows and festivals, proudly selling South African t-shirts. In 2017, the roughly 160m² store at the Voortrekker Monument opened, marking the beginning of serving not only local customers but also international tourists.

Over time, De Afrikander Handelshuis began developing more of its own products, launching a separate brand,  Republk, in 2019. Republk supplies bulk products to other gift, outdoor, and tourism retailers nationwide, including the Kruger National Park and Safari Outdoor, currently serving about 180 stores across South Africa. That same year, De Afrikander Handelshuis opened a new store at the Johannesburg Zoo called This is Africa. In 2021, a smaller concept store was launched inside a museum at the Voortrekker Monument. In 2023, a new store opened at Linton’s Corner shopping center in Pretoria East, and in 2025, the fourth store launched in Woodlands Boulevard.

De Afrikander Handelshuis is a group of companies united by one purpose – to make people feel at home.

Why is Handelshuis unique?

  • Afrikaans runs through our veins

    Our identity is rooted in Afrikaans – shaped by an Afrikaner work ethic and a deep pride in our culture.

    The name De Afrikander Handelshuis is inspired by the historic words of the first Afrikaner, Hendrik Biebouw, who declared in 1707: “Ik ben een Afrikander” (“I am an Afrikander”).

    Our mission is to make every community feel welcome in a Handelshuis store, and to associate our name with trust and reliability.

    Much like Italian restaurants across the world represent aspects of Italian culture — not just for Italians, but for everyone who appreciates it — Handelshuis seeks to do the same.

    We aim to celebrate and grow a culture by making it accessible to all.

  • A new category

    We aim not only to dominate the gift category in the retail environment but to raise its standards.

    Just as Stor-Age has become a trusted and well-known name in its field, WeBuyCars has transformed the used-car sales industry, and Gary Rom has brought reliability to the hairdressing sector — Handelshuis is setting the quality benchmark consumers expect when purchasing gifts.

    However, Handelshuis is taking it further: we are not merely part of a category, but creating a new category where products have meaning, gifts tell stories once again, and where customers feel at home in a space where quality reigns supreme.

  • Streamlined choices, better value

    In a world where consumers have more choices than ever before and easy access to thousands of gift ideas, Handelshuis curates the very best for you. We select high-quality, rare products that hold real meaning.

    In a world overwhelmed by abundance, people often settle for less value. Handelshuis restores the true value of gifting.
Contact us