You’ve probably spotted them at the till or on someone’s wrist. A bright beaded bracelet with a signature ‘R’ bead. Ever wondered who actually makes them, or how far that bracelet goes?
South Africa (21 August 2025) – If you live in South Africa, chances are you’ve bought or been gifted one of these colourful Relate Bracelets at one stage or another. Maybe it was on a whim at the bookshop, or as a keepsake from a trip to the bush. They look small, but the story behind them is massive.
Every bracelet is put together by real hands. Mostly gogos from Ikamva Labantu, young people from local townships, and even refugees who’ve made SA home. Some of the women beading these bracelets are raising grandkids on their own, and every bracelet they finish means groceries, school shoes, or a bit of breathing room at month’s end.
“Many are raising grandchildren and rely on their beading income to supplement state pensions. For them, these bracelets are more than just a way to earn an income, because they take financial pressure off their families, put food on the table, and help them continue to play vital roles in their communities,” Relate states.
Since 2010, Relate has remarkably sold over 4.5 million of their special bracelets. That’s over R83 million raised, and help given to more than 150 cases, like Goodbye Malaria and the Amy Foundation and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The bracelets themselves are simple and easy to spot, but they’ve helped send kids to school, feed families, and support all kinds of good causes.
“When you buy and wear a bracelet, you’re not donating, you’re investing in women-led change,” says Dalit Shekel, Relate’s CEO.
It’s the gogos and youth who keep this project alive. They bead, finish, and pack every single bracelet, earning skills and a proper wage as they go.
“Our model creates work with dignity, income with purpose, and impact with accountability,” says Shekel.
You’ll spot a tiny ‘R’ bead on every bracelet. That’s Relate’s promise. Your bracelet was made properly, by someone who actually benefits from your support.
Women’s Month is always a big time for Relate. This year, they’re calling on all South Africans to ‘wear her story and fund her future’ whether you buy a bracelet as a small treat for yourself, or to mark a special occasion, or person!
Here’s a list of where they can be found and purchased. They’ve got stockists scattered across SA, so take a look!
The next time you eye those bracelets at the till, remember there’s a whole network of gogos, young crafters, and charities connected to that loop of beads. It’s just a little bracelet but for someone it means the world.
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