When Richard Andrews, CEO of Zorora Sofas, sat down with Jimmy Moyaha on SAFM's Money Web Market Update, the conversation covered everything that makes this proudly South African brand tick, from its Cape Town manufacturing roots to its bold national expansion.
The feature formed part of the popular SME of the Week segment, powered by Capitec Business Banking, which shines a spotlight on homegrown businesses driving real impact across the country. This makes it even more special, given our exclusive collaborations with Capitec Bank.
Listen to the full podcast interview here.
A Brand with Purpose and a Name That Means Something
For those hearing about Zorora for the first time, Richard set the scene perfectly. The business was founded five years ago by Dale Furphy in Cape Town, right at the start of Covid-19, and has been growing with intention ever since.
"The name Zorora says a lot about who we are: it means 'rest' in Shona. It was a deliberate nod to Africa, something authentic rather than abstract or imported."
That authenticity isn't just in the name. Richard highlighted Zorora's strong women's leadership as another defining characteristic, and one that sets it apart from many of its competitors.
Over time, the meaning of Zorora has grown into something deeper than comfort and relaxation. "It speaks to creating spaces where people can pause, reconnect, and be at ease, whether that's with family, with friends, or on their own."
Made in South Africa, With World-Class Standards
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation was Richard's take on South Africa's manufacturing potential and what Zorora is doing to realise it.
"South Africa was historically a net exporter of furniture. But through outdated manufacturing processes and operational inefficiencies, we've become a net importer, at a time when job scarcity is a serious concern. It's not a skills problem. We have world-class artisans in this country who can produce furniture on a par with Europe, at efficiencies that rival the East."
That conviction sits at the heart of Zorora's manufacturing model. Every sofa is produced at their facility in Epping, Cape Town, from raw materials through to finished product. The process is designed like a production line, with quality control built into every stage.
"At any point in the process, we can tell you exactly where your sofa is in production. That level of visibility and repeatability was fundamental to how we built the business."
Quality You Can Feel and Trust
Jimmy Moyaha noted, right there in the studio, that he was sitting on a Zorora piece, and could personally vouch for the quality. It's the kind of endorsement that speaks for itself.
Richard explained that quality control at Zorora isn't something that sits with management. It's embedded in how the entire floor team works. Each team member accepts responsibility for the work passed to them from the previous station and the next person does the same.
"Our sofas can only go together one way, the methodology doesn't allow for shortcuts. It's repeatable, trainable, and our floor team take real pride in their craft."
A Business That Works Two Ways
Zorora's business model is one of its most interesting qualities. On one side, there's the direct-to-consumer experience, showrooms and an online store where customers can explore the full range and place their order. On the other, there's a thriving B2B operation, Zorora Connect, supplying major South African retailers either under the Zorora brand or through white-label arrangements.
Current showroom locations include:
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Clearwater Mall (upper floor), Roodepoort
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Table Bay Mall (ground floor), Cape Town
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Woodstock, Cape Town (flagship store)
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Kramerville, Johannesburg (flagship store)
Collections span different price points, making quality accessible across a wide range of budgets, a key part of the Zorora philosophy.
Navigating the Post-Covid Shift
Starting a business at the height of a global pandemic turned out to be a strategic advantage in some ways. With consumers spending more time at home and international container prices at record highs, locally manufactured furniture had a clear edge.
But Richard was candid about the challenges that followed. "When Covid ended and people returned to offices, container prices normalised, and consumer spending shifted, money that would previously have gone to furniture went instead to generators, solar panels and water solutions. Navigating that transition has been challenging."
It's the kind of honesty that resonates and it speaks to the resilience required to build a meaningful brand in today's South African market.
What's Next for Zorora
The big news from the interview? Zorora is opening its first KwaZulu-Natal showroom, a flagship space at Sibaya, in October 2025. It marks an exciting new chapter in the brand's national footprint.
Beyond that, Richard was clear that growth will always be guided by what makes Zorora, Zorora.
"We will not pursue growth at the expense of the customer experience."
It's a simple statement, but one that says everything about how this business is run.
Whether you're browsing from the couch or ready to experience the product in person, Zorora makes it easy to connect.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook, or Contact Us. As Richard put it: "Google us once and we'll be in your feed forever."
Zorora - Furniture made for living
