The Warm Art Of Africa

Kapula Candles in Bredasdorp specialises in beautifully handcrafted and individually painted candles made with high-quality wax and unique fragrances. Choose from a wide range of candles, or request custom orders tailored to your needs. The spacious showroom offers an extensive selection of ceramics, home décor, art, leather purses, jewellery, and gifts for the whole family. Eco-friendly firelighters made from recycled materials from the candle factory are also available. Passionate about supporting community upliftment and local creativity, the business features Die Korf, an on-site gallery showcasing handmade pieces by local artists and designers, where visitors can enjoy a coffee or cool drink while browsing. Kapula Candles has an online shop and welcomes retail partners. Factory tours can be arranged for a behind-the-scenes look at the candlemaking process.

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Business Information

About
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About

Kapula Candles started as a hobby in Ilse Appelgryn’s kitchen in 1993. 

What began as making "a couple-a-candles" quickly grew into a family business and became a thriving enterprise by 1994.

Since 2009, Kapula Candles has been exporting its handmade candles and ceramics to the USA, Germany, Australia, and various countries in the East.

Ilse’s daughter, Anke Nesbitt, and her husband, Darren, have run the business since 2011. Anke’s sister, Inge Appelgryn, is a silent partner.

Creating Sustainable Employment

The team at Kapula Candles remains fiercely loyal to its handmade processes. These practices ensure sustainable employment for as many people as possible in the small farming community where jobs are scarce.

Over 90% of the team are women, with half having been there since the beginning.

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Candles

Candles

Kapula Candles are instantly recognisable, each reflecting Africa's vibrant spirit. 

Created in the Bredasdorp factory, Ilse, Anke, and a team of artists hand-paint each candle. This personal approach guarantees a variety of trends and instils a sense of ownership in all team members. 

Categories
  • Plain Frost
  • Hand Painted
  • Frost Painted
  • Figurines
  • Outdoor
Colour
  • Charcoal
  • Dusty Pink
  • Grey
  • Mushroom
  • Sage
  • White
Shape
  • Bowls
  • Buddha Heads
  • Cube Candles
  • Dinner Candles
  • Pillar Candles
  • River Stones
  • Shells
  • Owls
Style
  • Afro Chic
  • African Mineral
  • Animal Print
  • Blue & White
  • Cotton Candy
  • Fynbos
  • Fun Dots
  • Fun Ombre
  • Fun Stripes
  • Klimt
  • Multi Coloured Ethnic
  • Ukukhanya Earth
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Ceramics

Ceramics

Kapula Candles manufactures ceramic ranges, with a fantastic selection available in the showroom.

Tableware
  • Dinner Plates
  • Side Plates
  • Soup Bowls
  • Cake Plates
  • Platters
Serveware
  • Serving Dishes
  • Tea Sets
  • Tea Pots
  • Cups & Saucers
  • Coffee Mugs
  • Glasses
Table Accessories
  • Candle Holders
  • Teabag Holders
  • Spoon Holders
Storage & Containers
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  • Cookie Jars
  • Storage Jars

Each piece is an artwork that incorporates colours and subject matter unique to South Africa.

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Lifestyle Products
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Lifestyle Products

Kapula Candles sells a range of lifestyle products in the showroom, including home décor, accessories and gifts for the whole family.

Home Décor
  • Hand-painted Scatter Cushions
  • Art
  • Wind Chimes
  • Fragrance Accessories
Accessories
  • Handmade Purses
  • Jewellery
  • Keyrings
Gifting
  • Gifts for the Whole Family
  • Gift Cards
Recycled Firelighters
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Recycled Firelighters

Kapula Candles produces recycled firelighters made entirely from reclaimed materials, including waste wax and wick off-cuts from the candle-making process, sawdust from local cabinetmakers, and wood chips from a nearby sawmill.

Each firelighter burns for approximately 15 minutes, producing flames at least three times larger than typical firelighters. They burn cleanly with minimal black smoke and paraffin smell.

Packaged in a resealable brown paper bag and branded using ink stamps, the instruction leaflet inside each pack is printed on recycled newsprint using the Southern Post’s vintage Heidelberg press.

Kapula firelighters are perfect for merchandising and can be added to gift hampers or used as stocking fillers.

Community Gallery

Community Gallery

Kapula Candles has a community gallery called Die Korf where local artists and designers showcase their handmade collections.

Collections
  • Art
  • Jackets
  • Beadwork
  • Bracelets
  • Keyrings
  • Necklaces
  • Soap
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Merchandising

Merchandising

Interested in becoming a Kapula Candles sales partner?

Join a proudly South African brand known for its vibrant, handcrafted candles and ceramics. A wide selection of products is available, and customised orders can be tailored to suit your clients’ needs. Partner with Kapula Candles and bring a touch of artisan excellence to your store.

Sale Partners - Portfolio

Kapula Candles supplies local and international clients that include:

  • Woolworths
  • Poetry
  • Thumbprint Artifacts
  • Contigo Fairtrade Shop

If you are a wholesaler or retailer interested in ordering products, contact Kapula Candles via email for more information. 

Factory Tours
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Factory Tours

Kapula Candles invites you to arrange tours of its factory, so that you can see firsthand where all the magic happens. 

Factory tours are perfect for:

  • Candle Lovers
  • Families
  • Tour Groups

Contact Kapula Candles for more information and to arrange a factory tour.

Online Shop

Online Shop

Welcome to the Kapula Candles online shop, your gateway to a world of handcrafted beauty.

Here you will find our full range of individually painted candles, ceramics, home décor, and unique gifts, made with care in Bredasdorp, South Africa. Whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for something special, each piece brings the warmth of artisan craftsmanship straight to your door.

ONLINE SHOP HERE

Reviews

Reviews

“Kapula Candles is a huge candle shop! It is amazing. Highly recommended. I received the best service I’ve had from a company this year. I enquired about custom-made candles for a wedding. Mr John Van Reenen went out of his way to accommodate me. He even called me back to enquire about certain aspects. The team made the candles in the colour I requested. Five days later, my order was couriered 1,200 km to Gauteng.”  Roxy Janzen
“Kapula Candles is an incredible community project. They have fascinating stock. Certainly a must-visit destination in Bredasdorp!”  Lilias Foster
“It is an amazing experience to walk through the showroom at Kapula Candles. There are beautiful things and they are reasonably priced. I bought stunning coffee mugs. There’s something different and unique.”  Anine Oliphant
“If you are in Bredasdorp, do yourself a favour and stop at Kapula Candles. Here you will find a vast array of hand-painted cups, mugs, and plates. You can see some of it displayed at the duty-free shop at Oliver Tambo Airport. If you have a guest house, you can kit it out with extraordinary crockery. Amazing to say the least.”  Manie Conradie
“Kapula Candles is a must-see when you are in Bredasdorp. It is situated in the industrial area of town, ask if you don't know. The candles are special and unique and not to be missed. Great gifts! Friendly staff and great service. Your purchase will help the local community!”  Ben Van der Linde

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