24-year-old entrepreneur from Soweto, Thabo Mateisi is building a name for himself producing teamwear apparel with his thriving business, GrindSport.
ALSO READ: Finalists for Gauteng 2022 Sports Awards announced
Mateisi, who was born and bred in Dobsonvillle founded GrindSport in 2020 manufacturing a range of sports wear, active gear and sports kits for football clubs, local athletes and development academies.
The company was founded under unforeseen circumstances in what he says now has been a blessing in disguise.
In 2018 while playing for Starlets football development academy in Johannesburg, Mostisi suffered a head injury, a major blow which meant the end of his football aspirations. It was during this period away from the ground that gave rise to his business idea.
“I suppose at the time I didn’t want to move far from my passion in football and now I had time to watch the game.
“I realised that we still had teams who would be playing without the same kit and this made me question how talent is scouted in townships but the same players are not privileged to even own proper kit and that was the starting point.” Mateisi tells Urban News.
ALSO READ: Sea Rescue South Africa invite local clinics to a sports day in Dorothy Nyembe
Mateisi who was 21-years-old at the time, began conceptualising and roped in his cousin, a graphic designer to work on the logo while he began sourcing already made kits from China Mall, to which they would add his logo onto it and sell them.
“After I realised that many of these teams could not afford expensive popular brands, I wanted to close that gap and accommodate such groups financially by giving them something affordable but also appealing to the eye.
“I mean as a player and trainer, I understand that when we all are uniformed and look crisp that brings the confidence to the team so I wanted to bring what they normally see on TV and make it accessible for them.”
As the business started taking shape and the demand grew, the budding entrepreneur, thanks to Lerato Masuku, began frequenting fabric shops and tailors and began producing custom-designed garments.
ALSO READ: Lima Sports Programme hosts 4th annual Heritage Cup
“At some point because there were no team orders coming in, we had to divert from the original plan of just supplying teams only to now having to produce sportswear items for individuals in order to make an income.”
Today over the three years of the brand’s existence it has expanded its range offering tracksuits, performance kits and vests, sweaters and pants, headwear and accessories which include sports bags and water bottle.
The company already supplies its GrindSport performance kits to over eight clubs within Soweto, Westrand, Roodepoort, Florida and Bosmont.
“Our garments are no different to popular international brands in terms of the high quality we source.
ALSO READ: Using sports to raise awareness of cancer dangers in Soweto
“What was important for us is to have it cost less compared to these big brand but offer the same quality.
“We use 100% polyester and 5% spandex in our fabrics so our products are durable and moisture resistant. It is comfortable on the skin and does not need to be ironed.”
The young businessman has achieved the brand’s success without external funds, something he said was thanks to the support from his family and partner.
On his future plans, Mateisi shared that he was excited to witness where the businesses will be headed in the next five years, adding that his biggest goal was expanding GrindSport into an agency that breeds talent for aspiring soccer players.
ALSO READ: New facilities to breed new sporting talent for Orlando
“It has been amazing what we have been able to achieve in a short space of time, especially without funding. I want to see the brand have a GrindSport sports complex that breeds raw talent in various sports disciplines and our gear store would be located within that centre,” he said.
“Hopefully we move to supplying more clubs and individuals playing in the PSL and other leagues.”
