OUR VERSION

There are some occasions that deserve a greeting card – and that’s not just birthdays. Saying ‘thank you’ to a mentor, congratulating the birth of a newborn and wishing a colleague well on pastures new are all worthy. And preferably, the card doesn’t look like it’s from a 24hr petrol station.

With designs inspired by Africa, Our Version has cards that not only look great, but also cover a variety of occasions. You’ll find standard messaging such as a simple ‘Congratulations’, as well as tailored phrases like ‘Just Lobola’d’ for those who know. (And for those who don’t – like I didn’t – ‘lobola’ means dowry/bride price so refers to a traditional marriage, used in Zimbabwe’s Ndebele and South Africa’s Zulu languages.)

Founder Sam launched Our Version in May 2020. “It was my own love for giving cards for any little occasion that justified it, but also the frustration of not finding ones that match my heritage because well, representation matters,” she says. Sam is of Zimbabwean descent, so that explains why words like ‘lobola’d’ make an appearance on her cards.

I asked Sam what she loves most about Our Version. ‘It’s a very intimate and personal project for me so all the details are a representation of myself as an individual. I literally celebrate every single sale as if it were my first. I’m very passionate about doing my part to heal and save the planet so it makes me proud that my cards are entirely ecofriendly.”

 More Black-owned brands like The Dress Change, who champion sustainability? We love to see it.