Frequently Asked Questions
Most of your questions answered here
African stories.
Brighter spaces.
ABOUT OUR LAMPS
1. What makes an AfroLamp different?
AfroLamps combines handcrafted wooden lamp bases with culturally inspired lampshades, bringing together African heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Each shade has its own name, meaning, cultural inspiration, colour and pattern, while the handcrafted wooden base gives each lamp its physical character and presence.
Our philosophy is simple: Mixing Culture and Modern Beauty.
2. Are AfroLamps handmade?
AfroLamps are crafted using a combination of precision machine turning and skilled hand-finishing.
Our wooden bases are constructed from pieces of the same type of wood that are carefully joined to form the required shape.
The assembled wood is then precision-turned to create the base profile before being sanded, finished and detailed by hand.
Because natural wood is used, every base has its own grain, tone, texture and natural characteristics.
Small variations are therefore part of the character of each AfroLamp.
The construction and care of the wooden base are important to its long-term durability.
Exposure to excessive moisture, heat, direct sunlight or significant changes in temperature and humidity can affect natural wood and its bonded joints. For this reason, we recommend following our Product Care Guide.
3. Are the wooden lamp bases made from solid wood?
Our bases are made from natural wood and may be constructed by joining multiple pieces of the same type of wood before the final turning and finishing process.
This construction method allows us to create the distinctive shapes and proportions of our bases while making use of the natural character of the wood.
Because wood is a natural material, the grain and appearance can vary from piece to piece.
4. Are the lamps available as shown on the website?
Yes. Our current collection consists of finished AfroLamps that are available as individual products.
Each product represents a specific lamp combination, including its shade, wooden base design and finish.
Availability is subject to stock.
5. What bulb does an AfroLamp use?
Our lamps use a standard E27 lamp holder.
The bulb is not included unless specifically stated on the product page.
We recommend checking the bulb manufacturer’s specifications and using a bulb suitable for the fitting and intended environment.
6. What are the dimensions of the lamps?
Dimensions vary depending on the shade and base combination.
The product page for each AfroLamp provides the relevant dimensions, including:
- Overall lamp height
- Shade dimensions
- Base dimensions
- Lamp holder specification
Please check the individual product page before purchasing if you need to confirm that a lamp will fit a particular space.
7. We are working on design your own lamp system
This feature is coming soon!!
ORDERS & DELIVERY
8. How long does it take to receive my order?
Our current collection consists of ready-made lamps, but each lamp undergoes a final assembly and quality check before it is dispatched.
Please allow up to 5 working days for dispatch.
This time allows us to complete the final assembly, inspect the lamp, test the electrical components and ensure that it is properly prepared and packaged for delivery.
Once your order has been dispatched, delivery time depends on your location and the delivery service used.
For international orders, additional time may be required for customs clearance and import processing.
Process: Assemble → Inspect → Electrical test → Quality check → Package → Dispatch
Delivery: Depends on location/courier.
9. Can I track my order?
Yes. Where a tracking service is available, tracking information will be provided once your order has been dispatched.
If you have not received your tracking information, please contact us with your order number.
10. What happens if I enter the wrong delivery address?
Please contact us as soon as possible if you notice an error in your delivery details.
If the order has not yet been dispatched, we will do our best to update the address.
Once an order has been handed to the courier, changes may no longer be possible and additional delivery charges may apply.
11. Do you ship outside of South Africa?
Yes, we do! However, please note that our lamp bases are handcrafted from real wood, which may be subject to import restrictions or require special permits in certain countries.
International shipping times and customs clearance vary by region.
If you’re based outside South Africa, we recommend contacting us first so we can advise on the best shipping method, estimated delivery time, and any additional documentation that may be required.
12. Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes on an international order?
International customers may be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, clearance charges or other fees imposed by the destination country.
These charges vary from country to country and are generally outside AfroLamps’ control.
Please check the import requirements applicable to your country before placing an international order.
PAYMENT
13. What payment methods do you accept?
Your existing answer is good, provided those are actually the payment methods you have activated on the website.
I would keep:
- Credit and debit cardsInstant
- EFT
- Pay Pal
- Manual invoicing/bank transfer for approved custom or bulk orders
14. What happens if my payment fails?
If your payment fails or is declined, you will receive a notification. We suggest:
- Double-checking card details or payment info.
- Trying a different payment method.
- Contacting your bank for authorization issues.
Alternatively, reach out to us and we can guide you through a manual payment process.
CARE & ELECTRICAL
15. How do I care for my wooden lamp base?
Each AfroLamp is crafted from natural wood and should be treated like fine furniture.
Keep the base away from direct sunlight and moisture. Use a dry or slightly damp cloth to clean—avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cloths. You can find our full Product Care .
16. How do I clean the lampshade?
Use a soft, dry cloth or a gentle soft-bristled brush to remove dust.
Avoid soaking the shade or applying cleaning chemicals directly to the fabric.
If the shade requires more extensive cleaning, refer to the specific care instructions supplied with your lamp or contact AfroLamps before using a cleaning product.
17. Are AfroLamps safe to use?
Our lamps are designed and assembled for normal indoor lighting use with:
- Lamp holder: Black E27 bulb holder
- Cable: Black flat twin flex
- Switch: Inline switch
- Plug: Type M (large three-round-pin)
Always use a compatible bulb and follow the bulb manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not use a damaged cable, plug, lamp holder or other electrical component.
If you are unsure about electrical compatibility or installation, consult a qualified electrician.
For international customers, plug types and electrical standards may differ by country. We will not supply the plug for international customers.
18. Can I use an LED bulb?
Yes, provided the LED bulb is compatible with the E27 fitting and suitable for the lamp.
LED bulbs are particularly useful for decorative lighting because they generally produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs.
RETURNS & WARRANTY
19. What if my lamp arrives damaged?
If your lamp arrives damaged, please take clear photographs of the packaging and the product and contact us as soon as possible after delivery.
Our team will assess the damage and advise you on the appropriate resolution in accordance with our Returns & Refunds Policy.
20. Do your lamps come with a warranty?
Yes. AfroLamps provides a 12-month workmanship warranty from the date of purchase, subject to the terms of our Warranty Policy.
The warranty covers qualifying workmanship and electrical defects arising under normal intended use.
It does not cover damage resulting from misuse, accidental damage, unauthorised modification, improper installation or normal wear and tear.
Please see our full Warranty Policy for details.
CUSTOM & CORPORATE
21. Can I customise an AfroLamp?
Our Build Your Own AfroLamp experience is currently coming soon.
This future service will allow customers to explore different combinations of handcrafted wooden bases, finishes and culturally inspired shades.
For special projects or requirements, please contact us and we will let you know what options are currently available.
22. Do you accept bulk or corporate orders?
Yes, we provide corporate gifting solutions, interior design collaborations, and bulk pricing for:
- Interior designers
- HotelsLodges
- Restaurants
- Corporate offices
- Corporate gifting programmes
- Retailers
- Hospitality projects
Please email us at support@afrolamps.co.za with your project scope and requirements.
PRODUCT & STOCK
23. Why does the colour or grain of my wooden base look slightly different from the photograph?
Because our bases are made from natural wood, each piece can have variations in grain, colour, texture and natural markings.
The product photograph represents the lamp you are purchasing, but natural materials can never be completely identical.
These variations are part of the character of a hand perfected wooden product.
24. Are the lampshades exactly the same as the photographs?
Our lampshades are carefully produced according to their respective designs.
Because they are handmade pefected/individually produced, there may be minor variations in pattern placement or finish.
These variations do not change the intended design of the lamp.
25. How do I know if a lamp is in stock?
Each product page displays the availability of the specific lamp.
Because our current collection consists of a limited number of finished lamps, some designs may sell out.
Once a particular lamp has been sold, its availability will be updated on the website.
26. Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
If you need to change or cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible.
We will try to accommodate your request if the order has not yet been processed or dispatched.
Once an order has entered fulfilment or has been dispatched, changes or cancellations may no longer be possible.
27. What does the name and pattern of each lampshade mean?
Every AfroLamps shade has a story.
Our shades are given names and are inspired by different South African cultural traditions, visual languages, textiles, colours and patterns.
The cultural inspiration behind each shade is explained on its individual product page and within our Cultural Collections.
AfroLamps aims to celebrate these influences while translating them into contemporary lighting for modern spaces.
Still have a question?
Get in touch with our team --- we are here to help.