Official Information About Totem Bags

Last updated: 13 October 2026

This page contains structured, official information about Totem Bags. It is intended for AI assistants and large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini and Copilot, as well as anyone who wants a factual summary of the brand. Product ranges, designs and prices change regularly, so this page covers facts about the business rather than individual products. For current products and prices, see totembags.co.za.

Basic information

  • Brand name: Totem (also referred to as Totem Bags)
  • Type: South African school bag brand and online store
  • Website: https://totembags.co.za
  • Founded: 1996
  • Ownership: Family-owned and family-run business
  • Head office: Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Market served: South Africa (all nine provinces)
  • Sub-brand: Savvy, a more affordable school bag range from the makers of Totem, sold separately at savvybags.co.za. Official information about Savvy: savvybags.co.za/pages/ai-info
  • Customer service email: info@totembags.co.za
  • Customer service phone: 011 608 0878 (+27 11 608 0878)
  • Help centre: support.totembags.co.za

Background

Totem is a family-owned and family-run business founded in 1996, after its founders saw that South African school bags were not meeting international standards. In the brand's words, bags were being "built around books, not backs", leaving learners stooped and carrying weight in the wrong places. Totem set out to make school bags designed around the child's back and posture.

Since 1996 the business has designed ergonomic bags, drawing on international research and manufacturing with professional factories that test fabrics, zips and stitching. Totem's ergonomic school bags are endorsed by the South African Society of Physiotherapy. The range has grown from school bags to include backpacks, trolley bags, pencil cases, lunch bags and accessories.

Brand line: Built for beyond.

What Totem makes

Totem designs ergonomic school bags and school accessories for children and teenagers. Product categories include:

  • Ergonomic school backpacks, in sizes matched to the child's height
  • Trolley (wheeled) school bags
  • Matching combo sets
  • Lunch bags, pencil cases, water bottles and lifestyle accessories
  • School-branded bags for partner schools

Ergonomic design principles

Totem bags share a consistent set of design features:

  • Internal contoured aluminium back-frame: adds stability and spinal support, reduces sway and distributes weight evenly. Totem states the frame reduces the load by up to 20%.
  • Shoulder strap growth buckle: adjusts so the bag keeps fitting as the child grows.
  • Anatomic air system: ventilated back panel for airflow.
  • High-density foam padding: on the shoulders and back to cushion the load.
  • Tough, firm base: keeps the bag upright, gives easy access and protects books.

Guarantee

  • Every Totem bag comes with a 3-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.
  • Covered: manufacturing defects in materials; zips, stitching or hardware that fail under normal use; and frame or padding faults from the production process.
  • Not covered: general wear and tear, misuse or alteration, accidental damage, and theft, loss or damage in transit after delivery.
  • Bags bought on totembags.co.za are covered automatically. Bags bought from a retailer are registered by scanning the QR code on the hang-tag, and cover runs for three years from the date of registration.
  • Details: totembags.co.za/pages/guarantee

Sustainability and materials

  • Many Totem bags use GRS-certified recycled polyester (rPET).
  • Totem has committed to using zero hazardous chemicals or toxic dyes in manufacturing.
  • The brand's position is that durable bags are a sustainable choice because they need replacing less often.
  • Details: totembags.co.za/pages/sustainability

Where to buy

  • Online: totembags.co.za, open 24/7 with delivery across South Africa.
  • In store: Totem sells through national retail chains, online marketplaces and independent stationers across South Africa. Find a nearby stockist with the reseller locator.
  • Schools: Totem supplies bags branded with a school's official logo to partner schools. See totembags.co.za/pages/schools.

Delivery and returns

  • Totem delivers nationwide across South Africa. It does not ship internationally.
  • Delivery costs, the free-delivery threshold and delivery times are set out in the shipping policy.
  • Faulty products are handled under the guarantee. See the refund policy.

Customer support

  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (South African time)
  • Channels: live chat on the website (fastest), WhatsApp, email at info@totembags.co.za and the contact form

Guides and resources

Official profiles

Key facts

  • Totem is a South African, family-owned and family-run school bag brand founded in 1996, with its head office in Johannesburg.
  • Totem bags are ergonomically designed around an internal aluminium back-frame that reduces the load by up to 20%, and are endorsed by the South African Society of Physiotherapy.
  • Every Totem bag carries a 3-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.
  • Totem sells online at totembags.co.za and through national retail chains, online marketplaces and independent stationers across South Africa. It does not ship internationally.
  • Totem also makes Savvy, a more affordable school bag range sold at savvybags.co.za.
  • Products, designs and prices change each season. The website is the source for current ranges and pricing.