Cape Town’s Veldskoen Museum is a Must-Visit for Tourists & Locals

Swinging past the industrial suburb of Paarden Eiland isn’t exactly top of the list for many tourists visiting Cape Town, but a recent development by a spirited local company is putting the once-overlooked area on the tourism map. I made the short trek to Paarden Eiland to check out the recently opened Veldskoen museum, a place that pays homage to the beloved South African shoe.

When it comes to iconic South African cultural symbols, the humble veldskoen is right up there with biltong, Ouma Rusks, and braais. So, why shouldn’t this much-loved local footwear have its own museum? Believe it or not, this little shoe has a big story to tell and you can learn all about the history of veldskoen at this beautifully presented museum.

Traditionally made of rawhide leather on a rubber sole, veldskoen (pronounced FELT-skoon), or ‘vellie’, is a shoe worn by many farmers and outdoor enthusiasts. While the shoe has always enjoyed its time in the sun, in recent years, the veldskoen has had quite the resurgence and today it has become a fashion staple for many South Africans, both young and old.

The shoe’s recent popularity is all thanks to one local company. Veldskoen has modernised the design of the classic shoe, transforming the shoe’s image in the process. It all started in 2016. While watching athletes parade through the stadium at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Veldksoen founders Nick Dreyer and Ross Zondagh bemoaned the lacklustre outfits worn by the South African team. Surely they could find something better? Something more proudly South African. One suggestion led to another and the Veldskoen brand was born.

The brand launched with a range of colourfully-soled veldskoen decked in bright laces and today the range has grown significantly to include boots, formal shoes, and even school shoes, all with the signature veldskoen spirit.

Now, years later, the brand is bringing it back to Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, where Nick, Ross and their team of staff run the business and share the story of how a humble shoe took on the world. Launched in September 2023, the Veldskoen Experience offers a dedicated space where our (unofficial) national shoe can shine.

The museum-style exhibition, alongside a retail section, traces the long history of leather hide shoes in Africa, from those worn by the earliest San hunter-gatherers through to the Wupperthal veldskoen factory deep in the Cederberg mountains. A series of panels, videos and exhibits the museum tracks the impact of the veldskoen throughout history.

Like all good museums, there’s a shop attached, and here you can browse and admire the brand’s range of shoes and even take home a pair if one catches your fancy.

Check out the Veldskoen Experience for yourself at 19 Amphion Street, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town. Check out the Veldskoen website here.