Made in Joburg.
Designed for London.
Our story
Jerimani finds its roots in transcendence, determination and uncompromising authenticity.
The story begins 20 years ago, in Harare. Thambo Mrewa (Lead Designer and Co-Founder of Jerimani) (Image 1), a homemaker and mother of three tragically loses her husband. With scarcely a moment to mourn the loss of her life partner, Thambo is jolted into the reality of providing for her young family whilst sustaining the tapestry of the secure life she had built for her children. Family and community gathered in support, to bear not only the weight of grief but the practically of rising again. Thambo's aunt, Beauty, offered the first spark of what was to become a life in textiles. At the time, Beauty was selling an array of fabrics in markets in Johannesburg. She would source unique material in Zimbabwe and haul loads at a time, travelling by bus. Beauty suggested to Thambo that she enrol in textiles college and become a dressmaker. Although this answered the question of what to do in time, she remained in need. And, so, whilst learning her craft, Thambo and Beauty would crochet tea doilies to sell across Zimbabwe and South Africa. In her limited time between cooking, cleaning, educating and comforting her children and her dressmaking classes, Thambo would help Beauty crochet in different shapes, sizes and colours. And every few weeks they would load up their merchandise onto a bus and travel to the very same Johannesburg markets to sell them.
What began as a means to survive quickly blossomed into a vocation: Thambo’s artistry and keen attention to detail made her products popular with buyers in Johannesburg. Having a following of clients and friends, Thambo met Candice who suggested using Shweshwe fabric to create a variety of homeware. Back in Harare and having completed her training, Thambo rolled up her sleeves, created the first batch of Shweshwe homeware and set in motion what would become Jerimani. Oven gloves, ironing board covers, placemats, napkins were all tirelessly crafted and sold out in their entirety (Image 2). Thambo tirelessly carried her creations from park-to-park in Johannesburg, growing in confidence at each sale. She soon graduated to markets and steadily grew her following (Image 3).
With the market for her products clearly in Johannesburg and the ardour of travelling so frequently with heavy exiles, Thambo took the difficult decision to move her workshop from her loving community in Harare to the vibrant and trendy Johannesburg, where it remains today. Her role as a mother had shifted from providing for the day, to cultivating for the future. Each success was poured back into her children, into creating a platform for them to shine and succeed. And succeed they did, the latest being Amanda arriving in Köln, Germany to start an apprenticeship as a butcher just weeks ago.
During one of her many park trips, Byron (Co-Founder of Jerimani) encountered Thambo by chance, selling Shweshwe patterned picnic blankets. What started as a single purchase, became the purchase of many as gifts for friends and family. These gifts found their way to all corners of the world, to be used in gardens, on beaches, on tables and in living rooms. In response, he received anecdotes of quietly-sleeping babies, of trendy tables, of bold colours, all acknowledging the excellent craftsmanship and excitement for the story of how a piece of Shweshwe fabric had been converted into an item around which family and friends gather.
At that, Thambo and Byron formed a partnership. And Jerimani was born. (With a third generation brought in to mascot - Image 4).
Thambo Mrewa (Lead Designer & Co-Founder)
Early days: the first Shweshwe batch being packed for Johannesburg in 2009
Thambo at her first markets in Johannesburg (2013)
Likely the cutest mascot of any textiles brand
The Jerimani team hard at work
Design and production process
Each Jerimani product is uniquely handmade in Thambo’s central Johannesburg workshop by her skilled family team. We work exclusively with 100% cotton Shweshwe fabric, hand-selected from markets in Johannesburg and Harare. This iconic fabric is produced using acid discharge and copper-roller techniques, with patterns created through picotage—a precision pinning method rarely used today due to its complexity. The result is a depth of colour, detail and character that cannot be replicated by mass production.
Our design philosophy is anchored in the Southern African ideal of ubuntu—an intrinsic belief in connection, harmony and community. Every colour, motif and stitch carries a story linking rural to urban, past to present, art to everyday life.
As an independent brand, we prioritise ethical production, small-batch craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Our customers value not only the durability and beauty of our cotton homeware—table linens, cushions, totes and more—but also the authenticity and meaning behind each piece.
Jerimani exists to bring warmth, heritage and artistry into homes around the world.
To the next generation
True to its roots and in line with its ethos, Jerimani intends offer an annual apprenticeship to aspiring homeware and fashion artisans. This apprenticeship will be funded and completed under the supervision of our design and manufacturing team.
It is our hope that Jerimani can offer refuge and certainty to someone in need in the same way as textiles and design offered a life line to Thambo.
See our Apprenticeship page for more details.
