HERE IS A LIST OF 6 SOUTH AFRICAN SNEAKER BRANDS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

What a time to be alive, so many South African brands are being created in the footwear space...

Jul 7, 2021 - 14:52 Updated: Jul 7, 2021 - 16:49

DRIP FOOTWEAR

Was started in 2019 by Lekau Sehoana and in just two years they have more than 9 stores across the country and a brand partnership worth a R100 million with one of the biggest artists in the countryCassper nyovest. DRIP sneakers retail from R700 - R1200 and are available at their stores and online nationwide.

BATHU

Bathu was started by Theo Baloyi in 2015 after months of conceptualizing, feasibility studies and being rejected by 13 different factories, the Mesh Edition Sneaker was born. They have more than 10 Bathu stores around the country and their sneakers are retailing between R900 - R1800.

MPAHLA

The birth of Mphala came about from a story about two brothers that used to share and alternate clothes although they have a ten years age gap. In 2016 they decided to create their own sneaker and in 2017 they formed Mpahla. Their sneakers are retailing for R1095 on their website and are some of the best designed sneakers in the country.

MAMA KEA

Mama Kea is a Johannesburg based footwear company founded in 2016 by “Vuka Darkie that is quite the contrast to the fast fashion brands of today in its approach. Each pair of woven shoes are made by hand and equipped with a comfortable sneaker sole. “Mama Kea stems from “Mama”, meaning mother, “Kea”, meaning home where the heart, soul and spirit is. The shoes are retailing form R500 - R1200 and can be purchased via their Instagram page.

SPELETE

Johannes Mahlangu's footwear and clothing brand Spelete has grown from one small boutique to eight flagship stores in three provinces in 11 years years. The sneakers are retailing from R1400 - R2000 on their website and is the oldest locally owned sneaker company in the country on this list.

VAYA FOOTWEAR

The founder and chief executive officer of VAYA Footwear Themba Makamo has always been influenced by the sneakers he wears and wanted others to get a foot in too.“There is a specific type of feeling I get when I walk in sneakers and I thought to myself I would like to create something that could recreate that feeling in someone else.”Makamo said he wanted to design sneakers that would make people feel confident and go for their dreams. They are reatiling for R1000 and are available on their website for delivery nationwide.