

Despite the extremely severe lockdown regulations that lasted more than a year, in May 2021, Lekau had already managed to open 11 stores in reputable malls and sold hundred thousands of his sneakers.

#Drip shoes full
During the planning stage regarding the mode of operation and the full business launch, in March 2020, South Africa was placed into the Covid-19 Alert Level 5 lockdown, complicating the decision-making process even further. However, during the process of the formal launch, the world was suddenly experiencing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. He created his own shoes using old torn sneakers. Based on this success, Lekau started to consider the launch of his own business. Drip Footwear is a Sneaker Brand created by Lekau Sehoana after growing up in Poverty and not having shoes. This rapid achievement was enough confirmation for Lekau that there was a need for locally manufactured and branded shoes. In December of the same year, he manufactured and within a few days, sold 1,200 sneakers. During the interactions with customers, it became clear that there was a demand for a new South African sneakers brand.

It took Lekau six weeks to sell the first 600 pairs of shoes from his car boot, not having applied any robust marketing strategies. I will also be spending a lot of time there, mentoring and guiding the youth.In July 2019, Lekau Sehoana launched branded sneakers called Drip. We want the kids to use the centre to better themselves and their education. There will be a big sneaker that they can enter and purchase sneakers from the big sneaker store.

This will be a safe space for youth to come after school and use the library facilities to do homework, play sport, and use the internet. “I know what it’s like to have nothing and we wanted to elevate my community and create a foundation that will keep the youth busy and active after school. Fashion TrendUniversity Blue Basketball Shoes Paint Drip Silver Toe Light Smoke Grey Mid Banned Mens Sneakers Outdoor Womens Trainers Sports Buyer. “We are launching DripEd in March 2022,” he says. He is currently in the process of building DripEd, a Drip Education centre in Ivory Park where he grew up. Today, he is a businessman that is proud of his rags to riches story and he believes in giving back to the community that supported him when he had nothing. Read more l Inside actor Thapelo Mokoena's new business venture I didn’t think I would make a business out of it,” he says. “Being an engineer was a dream, but I was forced to make shoes to survive. That’s how my love for shoes started.” He started making sneakers for people until 2007 while in Grade 12. After high school, Lekau studied civil engineering. “People loved my outfits and my sneakers stole the show. “We were very poor and I didn’t have anything to wear on a casual day, so I designed my outfit and sneakers using an old, torn pair,” Lekau says. I was forced to sew clothes so I could provide from as young as 14 years old.”įor casual days at school, he made clothes he had made himself. I didn’t know that we were poor until I started secondary education. “I had a very beautiful but challenging childhood. After his parents divorced, his unemployed mother had to make ends meet for him and his three siblings while living in a shack. Lekau started his brand when he could not afford shoes. He was born in Limpopo but grew up in Ivory Park in Gauteng. Read more l Gemini Major on his new sound, embracing his roots and a new E.P in the works Look inside you, there's a fire burning, now go and get it. Had I not realized the greatness within me, we would not have Drip today. “Our brand is the epitome of Living Your Great, from the informal settlements of Ivory Park came a sneaker brand that employs and builds the South African economy today. “Living Your Great means making the most of what we already have, be it studying with a candle and producing a distinction, or playing soccer in a gravel field until you make it in the big leagues,” he tells Drum.
