Khaki Holiday Uniforms
Tuesday 16th June, 2026
Most of you will be well aware that Dave likes to wear his Khaki Holiday Uniform (KHUs) when on holidays.
I often worry that people think he wears the same clothes every day without washing them – but rest assured, he has five sets of them 😉
In fact, he now actually has six, as one of our stops in Cape Town last week was to buy another set.
We discovered Jonsson Workwear when we were in South Africa in 2024 (thanks for the recommendation, Tony Park). Dave had previously bought Hard Yakka shirts and shorts in Australia but discovered Jonsson made something very similar, but a little more comfortable and longer lasting, and the bonus is all their products are manufactured in Lesotho.
He also has two sets of NHUs (Navy Holiday Uniform) but they are mostly just worn at home in Australia.
Dave likes routine and consistency. He is still wearing clothes he has had for longer than he’s known me (which is 38 years!). He pretty much eats the same thing for breakfast every day (in the same bowl he’s had since 1978), he eats his dinner with the same knife and fork he’s had since 1978, he will always order a hamburger if there is one on offer, there has to be a very good reason for him not to meet his mates for morning tea on a Thursday and has a favourite green glass, that can only be used for orange juice.
He also likes to wear the same clothes, especially on holidays.
Now I’m not criticising… I do get it. Less to think about, less decisions to make, simple packing and when you are somewhere remote in the world (as he often is) something familiar.
And so, we caught an Uber to the Cape Town branch of Jonsson Workwear last Tuesday to get him another set of KHUs. A full set involves shorts, a double pocketed short sleeve button up shirt, and a bush hat, in matching khaki, of course.
He was also very tempted to buy their version of khaki work boots, but he decided he didn’t have enough room in his suitcase, so will leave that until our next visit.
Not to be outdone, I too made a purchase of the female, long sleeved version of his shirt. I already have the ‘work dress’ I bought last time we were in SA, but it’s not terribly comfortable so I haven’t worn it much. I’ve already worn this shirt twice!
I ordered another Uber to take us back to the hotel. When we jumped in the Corolla, Robson, our driver confirmed my name and welcomed us with a big smile.
Dave immediately recognised his accent as Zimbabwean and naturally took up a conversation with him in Shona ( the language spoken by 2/3 of Zimbabwe). Robson was amazed at this and couldn’t stop laughing and saying: “I can’t believe it”, over and over. The trip was only about 15 minutes, but he did also tell us a bit about his family and background – there is very little work in Zimbabwe (65% unemployment) so he migrated to South Africa nine years ago in search of work. Uber doesn’t pay that well but gives him enough for a very simple life and the ability to send money back to his family, who have no income and no social security. It was lovely to meet him, and Dave and he even said goodbye with a traditional African handshake, which in this part of the world holds profound significance and serves as a method of demonstrating connection and respect. It’s the tiny interactions like this that give us a glimpse into the lives of locals.
This is the end of day two of three days in a row at sea since leaving Namibia (day 5 of the cruise). I’m doing lots of resting, lots of reading and lots (and lots) of eating. The food on this ship is by far the best I’ve experienced on a cruise, but I think it’s time to curb my consumption, or else I’ll need to waddle offboard after 25 days of it!
Having said that, I’m currently enjoying nibbling on some cheese, olives and prosciutto that was just bought to our cabin! Good thing we are prioritising the use of stairs over the lift!
I will post again after our stop on Thursday in Sao Tome. But for now, it’s time to have a bath and head to dinner 😉
Sara xx