From fintech to foodtech solutions; from beauty brands to biotech infusions, FORBES AFRICA’s inaugural list of Small Giants across Africa showcases the tenacity of homegrown businesses and their impact on the communities they serve. Their pan-African CEO-founders and leaders are making giant strides in progressing Africa’s growth narrative, prioritizing ideas and innovation.
By Chanel Retief, Nicole Pillay and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja
Art Direction: Manelisi Dabata
Videography: Thabo Mathebula
Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ; Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg
Styling: Deneal Van Wyk
Hair & Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty
Theo Baloyi literally walks the talk. At the NewKatz.Studio in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he strides in for an interview, the founder of Bathu tells us more about one of the country’s much-loved sneaker brands. It started when Baloyi was still an accountant and concerned about his community, more so, every time he would go home to Alexandra, a sprawling township in Johannesburg.
“I would realize that a lot of people in my community are unemployed, and pre-dominantly, the youth… they’ve lost hope as well. When I went back to the people — those who have given me opportunities and have paved the way for me — to ex-press my gratitude, it was met by one big ask [from them]; ‘we don’t want anything from you, just pave the way for others’.’”
At the time, Baloyi, the self-proclaimed “sneakerhead”, had bought himself sev-eral pairs of sneakers, which led him to a particular philosophy. “They say when you buy too much of something, why not own it or become part of the value chain?”
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Baloyi says.When he launched Bathu in 2015, he only sold about 100 pairs. Today, the company sells 250,000 pairs of sneakers a year with 32 stores nationwide and a staff complement of over 300 employ-ees, many of whom are today’s youth.
“We are a footwear brand and a shoe business with a soul,” Baloyi says. “And why I say that is because I feel as though we go back into investing in our future consumers, so not necessarily someone who can buy Bathu today… someone who doesn’t know their journey yet. They don’t know their dreams or purpose yet. And we believe in walking the journey not only with our current consumers but with our future consumers as well.”
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