Founder of giant footwear label inspires young people with hope

When Theo Baloyi founded Bathu, Africa’s fastest-growing footwear company, he didn’t realise he would literally touch the lives of young people on the continent.

He has inspired many like entrepreneur Lekau Sehoana of Drip to start their own footwear companies.

Bathu has employed over 300 young people since it was established in 2015.

Baloyi wrote on this website that the Bathu story is more than just a story about sneakers.

“It’s a story of owning your destiny, of staying true to who you are, of perseverance, of following your dreams and doing something you are passionate about,” he said.

He said Bathu’s a story of walking your journey.

In pursuit for a better, in 2009, Baloyi relocated to Johannesburg to stay with his uncle in Alexandra while studying for his BCom Accounting degree.

Amid all the challenges, he had a goal to walk his journey and make it work, so he continued his studies and eventually graduated as an accountant.

A qualified Accountant, Baloyi was presented with the opportunity of working at one of the top accounting and advisory firms in the world. After working for almost 5 years in corporate, he felt the need to start a business to change his life and that of hundreds of young people.

He saw a gap in the market – a unique African feel compared to the international brands which were something that was missing.

Recently, Baloyi started a CSI project called the Bathu for Batho Care Project through which he and the team manufacture school shoes which are then given to children for less fortunate schools in South Africa.

“We believe shoes are symbolic of confidence, dignity and hope for the future. As a result, we have officially launched our School Care project which is aimed at REIGNITING HOPE and assisting underprivileged children to walk their educational journey in comfort,” he tweeted.

Editor’s note: Theo Baloyi founded Bathu, Africa’s fastest-growing footwear company, which trains and employs hundreds of young people from Gauteng townships.

Description: He has inspired many like entrepreneur Lekau Sehoana of Drip to start their own footwear companies.

Editor: Anirlé de Meyer

Project manager: Anirlé de Meyer