South African sneaker brand Bathu hosted its empowering Walk Your Journey event at the Premier Splendid Inn in Umhlanga on Wednesday, 25 June, drawing hundreds of young people eager to learn from some of the country’s top entrepreneurs.
The panel featured Bathu founder, Theo Baloyi, fashion entrepreneur Thatiso Dube, founder of streetwear label Galaxy Boy, and award-winning DJ and businesswoman DJ Zinhle, founder of ERA by DJ Zinhle.
The panellists spoke candidly about the harsh realities of running fashion and lifestyle brands in South Africa. Among the major challenges they highlighted were counterfeit products flooding the black market, financial constraints, lack of manufacturing capacity, and sustaining customer trust in a highly competitive market.
“The black market is one of the biggest challenges we face. It hurts us because people sell fakes with our names on them, and that damages our reputation and our sales. But we keep pushing because what we’ve built is bigger than just a logo — it’s a movement,” said Thatiso Dube, founder of Galaxy Boy.
“Bathu founder Theo Baloyi encouraged the youth not to be discouraged by obstacles. “ Every business comes with challenges, but your purpose has to be bigger than the setbacks. Focus on the vision and keep showing up for yourself.”
DJ Zinhle shared that running a brand as a woman in a male-dominated space also comes with its own battles, but perseverance, innovation, and a strong support system are key to overcoming them.
The event left young attendees motivated, showing them that while the journey to success isn’t easy, it’s possible with determination, resilience, and passion.
