I've lived 27 years since birth in South Africa (am now 30 and in New Zealand), and Armstong is a very common brand there. As you say, they are made there. It is your average stock shock.

Concerning quality, they are average. South Africans are not used to options or durability, and aircon is still a nice to have. There a base model is really a base model. And products are not as durable as e.g. here in New Zealand. For example, a car battery last about 18 to 24 months, and they all leak from day 1. The price is low, but so is the expected lifetime. Export products are generally of international standards, so they might actually be good, but I would rather look towards other international brands. I've recently bought cheap SA shocks myself, but only because I was on a very tight budget. The ones I got are adjustable, so at least can I tighten them up as they wear out. SA has great R&D, not so great manufacturing.

On the positive for South Africa, all right hand drive VW and Mercedes cars are manufactured in SA, except perhaps one or two low volume expensive models. So the manufacturing capabilities are not that bad. BMW also has a manufacturing plant there.

Your descision...