The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is known to support and promote entrepreneurship in South Africa. Whilst it is our mandate to empower SMMEs and Co-operatives, we are equally depended on hard working entrepreneurs who are eager to start, sustain and grow their businesses.

Bathu, meaning shoes in Kasi slang is a proudly made in South Africa sneaker brand that was founded in 2015 by Mr. Theo Baloyi, a qualified accountant who quit his job for a fulfilling journey as a manufacturer of a “global brand in the making”. Bathu has been named number 10 of 2021 most admired African brands by the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands.

The ranking is the most authoritative survey and analysis on brands and underlying businesses in Africa. The survey was conducted between March and April 2021 and yielded over 80 000 brand mentions and over 3 500 unique brands. The list boasts some of the biggest corporates across Africa such as MTN, DSTV, Shoprite, Vodacom, Tiger Brands, etc.

As DSBD we are thrilled to note and witness this spectacle performance by local brands. In our pursuit of intra-Africa trade, we are excited that our fellow Africans in other parts of the Continent love our brands.

This is in line with our SMMEs-focused Localisation Policy Framework and Implementation Programme, supporting local brands and buy local campaigns.

Source: Government of South Africa