Bushbuckridge man wants his sneakers to go national
Xolani Malibe recently lost his job. He said this business is the only source of income for him and his family. His future dreams include opening a factory and creating job opportunities for locals.
As a way to rise above his current situation, a local man has designed his own sneakers.
Xolani Malibe (29) from Mkhuhlu said his hunger to create a better future for his family is what got him thinking of designing Julooka unisex sneakers.
This brand was recently launched. According to Malibe, due to the sneakers’ comfort, they can be worn for any activity, such as hiking, exercise and even going to a party.
“I do not have a great story to tell about how I grew up. It was not the worst, although I would not want the future generation to go through it. My sibling and I have a single mother who survived a stroke. This has unfortunately left her living with a disability, which affected her movement and speech. We had to learn how to do things for ourselves from a young age, and during this time we learnt life the hardest way.”
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He said his journey started when he was in tertiary and was facing financial challenges.
“I started selling energy drinks to my classmates. They supported my business, and I then started selling in our campus. I had to make money to survive. As my small business was growing, I ventured into selling sneakers and clothing. This was after a supplier told me that if I can make him a specific amount, he would pay me.”
Malibe said he started doing his research on how to design his own brand in 2019, but due to the pandemic, his plans were stopped. He finally designed the sneakers, but he still had financial problems.
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“When I saw things finally getting back to normal, I got back to communicating with the various producers with whom I had started relations. I tried my chance with a company in Durban, but they could not assist me. I then decided to work with another company overseas. I registered my company and brand. The company agreed to take a chance and produce my product even when I did not have enough funds. We now have received the batch of sneakers and we are selling them. The business is not where I want it to be, although I believe one day it will grow.”
