Thandana started in 2010 as a small business. Carla Ashton, the founder, soon managed to secure a little factory, where she started making the range of bags she'd designed, with her own dedicated team of workers. Carla wanted to celebrate local skills and flair; working with stunning fabrics and beautiful leather to create a range of bags that makes travelling fun. Thandana is proud of its heritage and its ethos is 'Proudly South African' – all fabrics and leather are sourced from South Africa. Thandana bags are now stocked in shops across South Africa, as well as internationally.

Carla has focused on building the Thandana brand. The name derives from the Zulu word 'love one and other'. Being a Zululand girl herself, Carla felt that the word Thandana would be the perfect fit, as each bag is truly made with love. The smile and appreciation of a mum-to-be when she receives a Thandana baby bag as a gift is something that Carla cherishes dearly; and this personal connection is the driving force behind the business.