Swakop Vellies

African Leather Creations manufactures the original Swakop Vellies (veldskoene) in Swakopmund. The roots of the business go back to 1938, when Ewald Schier helped found the Swakopmund Tannery. Production of the classic kudu-leather shoes began in the 1960s and has continued as a handmade process ever since.

The shoes use premium, often locally associated kudu leather. Each pair is cut, stitched, and finished by skilled artisans with leather insoles and a durable sole. The result is a comfortable, long-wearing veldskoen that moulds to the foot and is built to last for years. A small “Kudu Leder” label on the throat line has long identified the product.

Main ranges include the classic Swakop Vellie (men’s and ladies’ cuts), the higher-ankle Kudu Boot, the traditional Namib Trapper, various leather sandals, and children’s sizes. Limited-edition styles such as Namibia-flag designs have also been offered. Additional items include sheepskin slippers, handbags, belts, and other leather accessories. Custom orders, wholesale, and repairs are available.

The flagship workshop and store is at 22 Rakotoka Street in Swakopmund (opposite the municipality). Further outlets operate at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund and in Otjiwarongo. An online shop allows orders to be shipped within Namibia and beyond. Visitors and locals alike treat the shoes as both practical everyday footwear and a recognised Namibian souvenir.

In 2022, long-time owner Herbert Schier sold the business to Swakopmund locals Lee Coetzee and Erwin Leuschner. They have continued the traditional handmade methods while adding limited editions, an expanded online presence, and additional retail points. Daily output remains in the dozens of pairs, with the same multi-step process that has defined the product for decades.

The company is widely regarded as the oldest continuous maker of these specific vellies. Wearing them is often seen locally as a quiet statement of Namibian craftsmanship and durability. The combination of heritage, local production, and practical comfort has kept demand steady among farmers, residents, and tourists who return for replacements years later.