Like all great ideas, Jabonghats started in a very small way. Graham MacLarty (Gray) went to collect some workers from a local informal settlement in KwaZulu, Natal and one of the guys, Mbojane, was wearing an interesting looking hat.

Gray, being fluent in Zulu, asked him about the hat and he said his mom makes them so Gray ordered one for himself – and that was the start of the hats. As his sisters and friends came to stay for the Christmas holidays, they all wanted hats.

Then Gray said that they are such a great idea and asked his Mom, Beth, to take them to the local Christmas Market where they were an enormous hit.

Two Gogos (Grandmothers) started making them and within 2 months have been joined by another 3 Gogos – they made 85 in this short time and the business is growing.. What people don’t realise is it the Gogos who are responsible for looking after the kids while the parents are away looking for work in the cities. And these old ladies need to educate these children.

The hats are now called Jabonghats as ‘Jabong’ is Gray’s name in Zulu – an acknowledgement to him of what he has done for them.

The business is now managed by Beth, and a friend of hers from a neighbouring farm – Angie. They are responsible for Social Media advertising and general marketing. They are setting up collection points for plastic bags and other marketing ideas.