After a brief absence, one of the world’s most recognisable storage container brands, Tupperware, has resurfaced in South Africa under a fresh identity.
The original company exited the country in 2024 following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the US, which forced its Southern African arm into voluntary liquidation.
That seemed to mark the end of an era for a product line that had been part of local households for more than 65 years.
Tupperware returns to South Africa
But the story didn’t end there! A new license agreement has allowed the brand to return under the name TuppAfrica, a venture led by managing director Ahmed Bull.
The new entity, operating through Umazinhle (a company whose name translates to “containers”), now holds exclusive rights to distribute the products across Africa.
Unlike in the past, there will be no local manufacturing. Instead, goods will be imported from global plants, primarily in India and Mexico. Still, Bull believes the relaunch is about more than just storage containers.
The company is banking on a long history of direct selling and community-driven distribution, a model that once engaged nearly 100 000 South Africans. In just three months, TuppAfrica says it has already invested over R26 million into local communities, including R6 million in direct incentives for resellers.
For Bull, the revival is not just commercial – it’s cultural.
“We are very much aligned with Ubuntu; helping people grow, giving back to communities, and creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said, according to BusinessTech.
Looking forward, TuppAfrica plans to expand with new catalogues, modern designs, and eco-friendly solutions. The aim is to bridge tradition with transformation and re-establish the brand as a fixture in South African kitchens once again.
Are you a fan of the famous plastic containers?
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