How Wonderbag is Empowering Women Across Africa
As we celebrate Women’s Month, there’s no better time to spotlight the incredible South African women behind businesses that are not only successful — but truly meaningful.
One such trailblazer is Sarah Collins, the founder of Wonderbag — a simple invention that’s become a global symbol of women-powered innovation. With over 6 million Wonderbags sold worldwide, this non-electric cooker is improving daily life for women across Africa while redefining what it means to run a purpose-first business.
What is the Wonderbag?
It may look like a stylish kitchen accessory, but the Wonderbag is so much more. It’s an insulated slow cooker that keeps food cooking for hours after it’s taken off the heat. No gas. No electricity. Just brilliant design.
“With Wonderbags, women can reclaim hours of their day, protect their children’s health, and save on gas costs,” says Collins.
It’s smart, practical, and deeply rooted in real-world challenges faced by women, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Designed with women in mind
Across the continent, cooking is often labour-intensive, dangerous, and time-consuming. Women and girls are disproportionately responsible for gathering firewood, cooking over open flames, and managing daily meal prep — often sacrificing education or income opportunities in the process.
The Wonderbag directly highlights these issues:
- Frees up 2–4 hours per day otherwise spent cooking
- Reduces exposure to harmful indoor smoke
- Eliminates the need for daily firewood collection
- Keeps meals safe and warm, improving nutrition and convenience
A supply chain powered by women
The Wonderbag is proudly produced through a local manufacturing model, where women are employed as seamstresses, quality controllers, trainers, and distributors. By keeping production close to home and prioritising inclusive hiring, Wonderbag says it ensures its impact flows directly back into women-led households and communities.
“We’re not just tackling climate change and energy poverty,” says Collins. “We’re creating a movement that uplifts communities, restores dignity, and builds resilience.”
Wonderbag isn’t just a great product — it’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to be powerful. It can start with a simple need: “How can I cook for my family safely and efficiently?” And from that need, grow into a movement. As we celebrate South African women this August, the Wonderbag stands as a beacon of creativity, compassion, and community-led business.
Where to get yours
The Wonderbag is available in three sizes, small medium and large. The bags start from R600 for a small and go up to R700 for a large.
Donate
Those who have no need for a Wonderbag at home are encouraged to donate to The Wonderbag Foundation. Your support goes a long way in helping to bring food security to desperate families across the world. The Wonderbag Foundation was established 15 years ago, allowing proceeds from the Wonderbag commercial business to support the Foundation, with a portion of every Wonderbag sold worldwide contributing to the Foundation’s efforts.
The work of the The Wonderbag Foundation spans some of the most conflicted and poverty-stricken regions in Africa, including South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Burundi. The foundation has also carried out significant work in Gaza, Ukraine, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Turkey, Haiti, USA, and Puerto Rico, providing support during times of conflict, and addressing severe deforestation and providing sustainable cooking solutions.
Behind every Wonderbag is a story of women rising — from founders and seamstresses to the mothers who use them and the girls whose lives are made safer because of them.
