Alex born George Moyo, who is an ex-street hawker turned businessman, has made history by having his clothing brand accepted for retail in one of the leading stores in the country.
Moyo’s Shosholoza clothing brand will be on the shelves at Jet Stores and the former Johannesburg Park Station hawker could not conceal his delight at the news. He said he was over the moon with excitement that finally his clothing label had been accepted by one of the shops he described as part of the ‘iconic stores’ in the country.
“This is the biggest breakthrough of a lifetime for my clothing brand after many years of trial and error in trying to make this significant achievement, and all my gratitude goes to Jet Stores who recognised the potential of my brand. I don’t have enough adjectives to describe how I feel,” Moyo told Alex News in an interview from his Bramley View home.
Talking about the Shosholoza brand, Moyo said it was named after the song that’s familiar to most South Africans. “Some even call it our second national anthem. For me, Shosholoza is a song that reminds me of my childhood,’ said the 63-year-old businessman.
“My father was a migrant worker and I remember singing the song with my family. As a symbol of hope and solidarity, Shosholoza was the name that I chose when I started my own business in the euphoric days of South Africa’s new democracy.
“I wanted to continue the motivation of working together, that’s why I chose that name for my merchandise.”
In 2012, Moyo partnered with International Trend Institute and Team Trading Enterprises to produce sportswear for schools including cricket, rugby, hockey, netball, soccer and water polo clothing and kit.
Today the brand is better known for its hardy gumboots made by Neptune Boots which supplies the country’s major mines. “It’s apt that the title of a song inspired by migrant workers is now the name of a brand worn by the miners themselves.”
His message for other entrepreneurs is that ‘they should work hard, don’t lose hope and push until it happens’.
“I believe that whatever you do, you should leave an enduring legacy. I think when you go into business, you should make the world a better place. “It’s not about making a profit, that’s important, but the main thing is to leave a positive impact on those around you.”
Besides his business, Moyo is involved in the Respect and Ubuntu Foundation which supports disadvantaged schools in the townships. “I invite my wealthy friends to gala events to raise funds for school renovations and to buy school uniforms for impoverished children through my Every Learner Deserves Dignity programme.”
His future plans include looking for new opportunities for his brand, including expanding into overseas markets, the United Kingdom in particular.
