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Ela Van Coillie (Vosloo), founder of Sjukla, was born into a Belgian family and raised in South Africa. She later returned to Belgium to pursue professional cooking, eventually specialising in the art of Belgian chocolate making. In 2014, Van Coillie came back to South Africa, bringing with her the rich traditions of Belgian chocolaterie and a vision: to fuse the velvety elegance of Belgian chocolate with the vibrant flavours of Africa.
Sjukla was born in Belgium in 2012 as a boutique chocolaterie, and today it thrives in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where it continues to craft artisanal chocolates by hand. Every slab and truffle is tempered and decorated with care, reflecting both European finesse and local charm.
Their name, Sjukla — pronounced “shu-klaa” — means “chocolate” in the dialect of West Flanders, the region from which Van Coillie’s family hails. It’s a nod to their heritage and a promise of authenticity.
Truffles are their signature, offering 19 distinct flavours, each with a soft, indulgent centre and a hand-decorated shell. From classic ganaches to their beloved Rhino Rum truffles (made with locally distilled rum), every bite is designed to be deliciously addictive. Seasonal specials such as candied orange dipped in dark chocolate and liqueur-filled truffles add variety throughout the year.
Sjukla’s gift boxes — available in 2, 4, 9, or 20-piece sets— make perfect tokens for celebrations, corporate events, weddings, high teas, or even thoughtful turn-down treats. Each Sjukla box is curated to evoke a magical sense of wonder when peeling back the layers and reveal the ornate truffles that resemble little treasures — an experience she aims to create for every Sjukla customer.
All recipes are original, developed in their kitchen using natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives. Their chocolates are truly handmade — from the ganache fillings to the tempered shells. It takes about eight hours to create a single batch of truffles. With their studio maintaining strict temperatures and humidity controls to ensure perfection in everything they make.
Beyond truffles, Sjukla offers hot chocolates on a stick and a variety of slabs, available at select retail outlets in Port Elizabeth, Graaff-Reinet and Cape Town. For optimal freshness, their truffles are sold directly through Sjukla and can be ordered via their website. They deliver locally in Port Elizabeth and offer courier services across South Africa.
At Sjukla, they don’t just make chocolate — they craft experiences. Each piece is a celebration of heritage, flavour, and artistry.
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