Theo Baloyi established the South African footwear company Bathu in 2015. His goal was to create sneakers that not only reflected South Africa’s diverse and rich culture but were also aesthetically pleasing. This was motivated by his market research, while working abroad, which revealed that there was
no leading African sneaker brand. He set out to create one.
Because of its distinctive and fashionable sneakers, which frequently feature elements of African culture and heritage in their designs, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity in South Africa and on the African continent. The company has developed a devoted following among its customers who are fashion-conscious and successfully carved out a niche in South Africa’s cutthroat sneaker market.
“Our turnover growth has been around 50 percent per year from a financial and business standpoint. We are expanding by between 50 and 70 percent annually,” Theo says.
The quality of the sneakers, rising local demand, and the opening of new stores across the country have all contributed to this growth. Although many people now shop online, South African consumers still prefer to visit physical stores to make purchases. Bathu’s reputation has been further boosted by collaborations with well-known South African celebrities, including Somizi Mhlongo, Khanyi Mbau, and Lerato Kganyago.
“The brand aims to walk you through your journey. We want to accommodate everyone on their journey to greatness and have the “cool factor”. So, we have a target audience in every market,” concludes Theo.
