Reason to be proud: South Africa’s Best Uprising Brands.

While our beautiful country grapples with various difficulties like load shedding, bad government decisions, crime, unemployment, high cost of living, and others, there is a reason to be proud. Some South Africans are finding a way to map themselves out of this crisis and promote a better society. These South Africans communicate a reason to be proud to be a part of this beautiful country. Therefore, in this piece I would like to share the top five best uprising brands in South Africa.

Through these brands we should draw inspiration to break the boundaries and achieve new limits. These brands and the story behind them should be our sense of hope that despite the inauspicious environment that our country has become, we can still find a way to make it better. Moreover, brands play a huge country representative role internationally. These top five brands are Bathu, Podcast and Chill Network, Drip Footwear, VAYA, and Relevance for Men.

1. Bathu

Bathu was founded in 2015 by Theo Baloyi in Alexandra. It specializes in footwear, mainly sneakers. The brand name is a township slang directly translated to “shoe” in English. The company has managed to grow exponentially having 32 stores across the country and over 300 youth employees to date. The story behind the brand is to “Walk your Journey”. Therefore, when you wear the Bathu sneaker you can walk with a sense of pride to determine your own destiny, stay true and be only accountable to your dream.

2. Podcast and Chill Network

With 1.12 million subscribers on YouTube, over a thousand videos, and over 202 million views it seemed impossible when the podcast network was launched in 2018. Podcast and Chill with MacG and Sol Phenduka being the co-host has been a dramatic success and the leading podcast of the network. The network also features Popcorn and Cheese podcast, Onside Podcast, Dineo On Sex n Stuff, Spreading Humours, and Podcast and Chill: Celebrity Edition. The network has gone internationally especially in the continent. It has marked itself on the broadcasting industry also representing the vibey and chilled environment of South Africa.

3. Drip Footwear

Talent, passion, and innovativeness are the only ingredients that Lekau Sehoana needed to make it in the footwear industry. Drip was founded in 2003 and has since became a huge success for Mr Sehoana having seven stores across the country. The brand has also just became a sponsor for the historic Dube Birds, a local football club playing in the South African top tier premier league. Moreover, the brand name is taken from a township slang literally meaning drops of liquid but means high fashion sense or style in the township. The brand also operates on four core values which distinguishes it from other players in the industry. These core values are the brand being Dependable, Responsive, Imaginative, and Passionate.

4. VAYA

If you’re looking for a reason and motivation to Go! for your dreams while overlooking obstacles and rejection, then VAYA should be your brand. This is a South African brand founded by a former journalist in 2021. Themba Makamo has jumped bankruptcy, rejections, and failure to finally offering his wild-innovative ideas to the world. Vaya is a word falling within the township slang language translated to Go, hence, the brand slogan is Go for it. This should be a motivation to all South Africa to chase their dreams and have hope despite the various difficulties they face.

5. Relevance For Men

Tshepo Mashego wanted to make men feel and look relevant in every discipline that they operate in, and so he made a move. Relevance For Men is a South African brand founded in 2015. It is a high-end suit tailoring brand with an office in Centurion. It specializes in suits, tuxedo’s, Safari suits and linen Safari sets. The brand prides itself in handmade suits and finishes. The brand also offers a variety of Europe imported fabrics which clients can choose from for their suits. Therefore, if you want to feel relevant and represent South Africa, Relevance For Men is your brand.

These top five South African brands have given citizens a reason to be proud being part of our country. To some, it has brought hope that dreams are achievable with a little bit of perseverance, hope, and dedication. South Africans owe it to these brands to be proud and represent them wherever they set their foot. They are the youth’s inspiration and the country hope.