by Thomas Spronk | Nov 22, 2024 | Bags, News
Earlier this year, we met up with Xolani Nojekwa, also known as X.
Born and raised in Langa Township, with a home in Khayelitsha as well, Xolani is a multi-talented visual artist who practices art, filmmaking, and photography. He is also the founder and creative director of the streetwear brand MISUNDERSTOOD.
Xolani made his exhibition debut in 2020 at the prestigious Zeitz MOCAA in the Waterfront as part of the group show Home Is Where Art Is. This year, he was selected as one of Cape Town’s Emerging Artists.
Earlier this year, Xolani launched his first short film, YANA, which raises awareness about mental health issues. The film is inspired by a campaign he started in 2018, You Are Not Alone. Derived from this campaign, the film aims to shine a light on mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
At its core, YANA is more than just a film; it is a powerful message of solidarity and understanding. Having faced his own mental health challenges, Xolani serves as both a storyteller and advocate, weaving a narrative of empathy and resilience.
As a self-taught artist, Xolani’s work is driven by a deep passion and an ambition to become one of the greatest artists in South Africa and beyond. He also hopes to inspire children in his township to believe in themselves, follow their passions, and chase their dreams. His love for street culture is unmatched, and he continually strives to elevate the scene, providing more opportunities and access for other artists.
Be sure to follow MISUNDERSTOOD and support Xolani’s journey! ‘
Photos by Pang Isaac
Xolani wears the 2024 New Moon hip- and sling bag
With special thanks to Josefin Jinx
by Thomas Spronk | Oct 17, 2024 | Uncategorized
One might consider a Breakfast Club x Killat collaboration as an outdoor activity. Over the last decade, running, cycling, and hiking clubs have been popping up in cities around the globe. Yet, this is about the indoors. Spanning almost 15 years, Breakfast Club is one of the Netherlands’ leading underground electronic music events. Think intimate venues packed with adventurous people seeking quality music to dance to. A breeding ground for upcoming artists who get the chance to play alongside more established names—artists who return regularly. We believe this has something to do with the organizers’ vision, their attention to detail, and their open, welcoming mindset.
When Breakfast Club approached us for a collaboration around their ADE-thriathlon, we noticed many similarities between clubbing and going for a ride or hike. Consider the underlying desires: finding rhythm while escaping routine, breaking the monotony of daily life. Physical motion—whether dancing, riding, or walking—creates a rhythm that frees the mind, allowing you to forget everyday stresses. It gives a sense of freedom and lets you connect with yourself and your surroundings.
For this occasion, we used our signature New Moon hip pouch, customizing it into a black-and-yellow version, symbolizing day and night. Black represents the night, while soft yellow symbolizes the sunrise, marking a new beginning, whether you’ve been out all night or are just getting started. Neon yellow zips were added to give it that stand-out clubbing vibe.
The limited-edition Breakfast Club x Killat Collective bag is handmade in Cape Town (🇿🇦) from 340 GSM cotton and designed for daily use, with a padded rear panel and wings for comfort. There are two main compartments, separating valuables from keys to avoid scratches. With use over time, the natural fabric will cause the black and yellow to fade, like the cycle of day turning into night and back again, reminding you of the days you went out for all the right reasons.
Photos by: Toby J. Fisher
With special thanks to Breakfast Club and Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) for making these events happen.
by Thomas Spronk | Jun 7, 2024 | Bags, News
It’s time for Drift Festival this weekend, and we are proud to release the custom New Moon hip bag we have created for our friends.
Drift is one of those festivals quite close to the heart. With the industrial Vasim in Nijmegen as a backdrop, the festival has been known for sailing its own course for almost 20 years, treating its visitors to fresh and always surprising electronic music acts. Quality over quantity, just the way we like it. This weekend marks the 12th edition of their spring festival and, needless to say, it’s sold out.
The New Moon is a hip/sling bag with a padded rear panel and wings for comfort. The bag is designed to carry essentials for daily use: cell phone, shopping bag, keys, and a snack. There are two main compartments, separating valuables from keys to avoid scratches.
For this limited edition collaboration, we decided to use a selection of the dyed colors that matched Drift’s past identities, resulting in a timeless bag that represents all seasons. The bags are handmade with 340 GSM cotton, woven and dyed in South Africa, which makes the New Moon durable with a soft feel. Waxing will make the bag water-resistant, so it can also be used during Herfstdrift festival in the fall.
This limited edition bag is not available online but only at the festival grounds. So if you’re one of the lucky ones with a ticket, make sure to visit the merchandise stand early in the day.
Photos by: Jurre Nieuwenhuis
With special thanks to Brent, Diede, Lizet and the rest of the Drift team.
by Thomas Spronk | May 8, 2024 | Bags, News
If you cycle or drive around the Cape Peninsula, you know Scarborough’s The Village Hub and its small coffee stop outside. Whether you’ve visited once or come there regularly, you know the guys and girls who serve you with a smile and attentiveness, never too busy for a short chat.
One of these guys is Rodney, who, like so many people in South Africa, came to the country at 17 looking for a job and landed one. When you visit The Hub, chances are great he’ll be around working the coffee machine. Since coming to Cape Town, Rodney has been gaining knowledge about what it takes to run a small business and saving money to start his own.
Malawi is best known for its agriculture, exporting goods like sugarcane, tea, potatoes, and tobacco to the rest of the world. The country is also home to several distinct coffee-growing regions. According to CoffeeWDY, “Malawi primarily cultivates Arabica coffee, known for its superior quality and distinct flavor profiles. Arabica coffee plants thrive in the high-altitude regions of Malawi, benefiting from the cool temperatures and adequate rainfall that contribute to the development of nuanced flavors in the beans. While other varieties, such as Robusta, are grown in the country, Arabica remains the dominant and sought-after variety for its exceptional cup quality.”
Maloto
2023 has been a tough year. As Rodney is from Blantyre, his family was heavily affected by Hurricane Freddy in the beginning of 2023. An uncle and three of his nephews died in the disaster and the storm wiped out his livestock, meaning seven caws. Additionally, he lost his brother, who was staying with him in Cape Town, in a fatal accident.
Rodney’s hometown Salima is near Lake Malawi National Park. Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands (source: Unesco).
Next July, Rodney is planning on going back to make Maloto (The Dream) a reality: a coffee shop of his own. You can show your support by donating any amount to his fundraiser campaign. In the meantime we dream about riding to Malawi from South Africa to end up at Lake Malawi shores.
Photos by Milan Goldbach
With specials thanks to Rodney and The Village Hub, Scarborough (Cape Town).
by Thomas Spronk | Apr 30, 2022 | Bikes, News
Cape2Kili incoming: Cally Silberbauer is about to embark on a trip of a lifetime. She will be cycling from Cape Town to Kilimanjaro, passing through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. When she reaches Kilimanjaro, she will ascend on my bicycle and acclimatise before attempting to set the female fastest known time (FKT) on my bike.
Cally is riding for all women in South Africa, to raise awareness about gender-based violence and funding for the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children while inspiring fellow female adventurers to live out their dreams.
The Saartjie Baartman Centre provides a safe haven for women and children that have been abused. There is 24/7 security at the gate for peace of mind. It is a place for survivors to finally have a chance at finding independence and ultimately, freedom. Survivors are welcome to stay anything between 4 – 10 months. During this time, the women are offered a bunch of accredited courses and the opportunity to upskill and find a job.
SBC is supported financially by the Government but only about 35-39% of the running fees are covered by the amount given. The director of SBC has to look for R6-8 million every year to keep the centre alive. The money goes to feeding around 100 people a day, electricity, maintenance, and other basic essentials. While the women are at SBC they are offered therapy, legal help, and rehab for substance abuse.
SBC never turns anyone away without assistance of some form. They have helped over 240 000 women and children since opening. They’ve changed over a quarter million lives.
You can help by donating to Cally’s fundraising page. Killat will throw in SAR 100,- from every buy via our SA webshop for the next two months, while Cally is on the road.
