Rain Africa Information

Rain was started by Bev Missing in August 1999 in Ladybrand in the Eastern Free State (a small rural village on the Lesotho border). It grew from one person making soaps in a garage to what it is today: a proudly South African international brand. Bev is a fervent animal lover and has been a vegetarian for 32 years. She is also passionate about helping people and creating hope. She derives her greatest pleasure from helping someone get on their feet and improve their circumstances in life, and sees herself as a giver and a doer. She has a large and challenging vision for the company and dedicates her time and energy in pursuit of that goal. Her business partners Simon and Hendrien Dewhurst are former South Africans living in New York who share Bev’s passion for their former homeland and its people. They run the store in New York’s prestigious Rockefeller Centre and are the energy behind marketing Rain in the USA. Our roots lie in manufacture as that was the vehicle through which Bev could create employment opportunities for the underprivileged. We were initially a manufacturing wholesaling company before opening our first Rain branded store in 2005. The concept soon took off and further stores have been opened since then including two international stores in Amsterdam and New York. As far as products go, at our core we are African and we search out the rich, ancient pharmacopeia of tribal Africa to incorporate into our skincare products. We also proudly seek to showcase Africa to the world. In Africa, rain means life. The arrival of the first rains after the long dry season is celebrated with thanksgiving. When the rains come the rivers fill, grass grows, herds fatten and prosperity blooms. So profound is Africa’s gratitude for rain that the Sotho people say “Khotso, Pula, Nala” (Peace, Rain, Abundance) in their traditional greeting. This ancient blessing reflects the spirit that drives our business. Our ethic is one of peace, provision and giving.