Well,, I don`t see anything unique, style wise (other than the inside of the compartments) that make me think it came from South Africa !! It is pretty typical of the 1970`s styles here in North America !! Does the top, without the additional props, stay open on its own ?? Does it look like it was made with the table or added afterward ?? Or without the props, does it fall down hard ?? I can`t see the inside very well but I would think that it was used as additional support to maybe protect toddlers fingers from getting smashed !! I know they changed some of the styles on metal ones back then because of kids injuring the fingers !!