Rashid Thobega Stewart is a Johannesburg born & bred entrepreneur, in the West Rand to be precise but currently resides in Krugersdorp. The inspiration to begin with this slowly but surely penetrating the market sneaker brand was influenced by people like DJ Sbu, Thobega enjoyed and was encouraged by how “Mr Knoxman” would hit the streets and preaching Mofaya.
We initiated the engagement by trying to hear his favorite Mzansi brand besides his own and this is what he said, “My favorite Mzansi brand besides mine has to be Skinny Sbu Socks by Sibusiso Ngwenya, and this is mainly due to the resilience the founder has portrayed throughout the existence of the business”.
How do you think SA can own back the township economy? “Owning back township economy is one of the most complex conversations and a very uncomfortable issue, due to socio-economic conditions we find ourselves in, as South Africans. It gets political so without dwelling much on it, as South Africans a lot of work has to be done, though we could kick off by taking back traditional businesses which our parents used to operate, and this is your tuck shops for example”. The brand was established in 2019, started off by introducing a formal shoe before switching to sneakers.
Have you ever been funded by any funding institution in SA? If yes, how easy or challenging was the process. If no, what would you use funding for if you could get one? “I have never been funded unfortunately; I've always managed to raise my own funds in the streets. If granted funding opportunities I would definitely upscale the business”.
What are your business highlights so far? “There’s plenty, one of them is that I've always been involved in the hustle, though I would say selling 300 pairs in three months without a brick-and-mortar store was a big flex. This reiterated the power technology and social media, how these platforms have changed the landscape of modern-day entrepreneurs, and believe me when I say, it's adding pressure to conservative old heads, because new companies are popping up everywhere, and overthrowing the old regime and gate keepers”.
Which company would you be interested to collaborate with in future and why? “I would definitely collaborate with Skinny Sbu Socks. We are both extremely outspoken, driven and relentlessly pursue our goals and aspirations. Also, what is a sneaker without a pair of good socks? We could really spark some brain, that could motivate and sell hope to the country at large”.
When not working on your brand, what do you do to keep sane? “When not working on the brand, I'm definitely having lots of coffee, listening to hip-hop music or probably reading various informative material I can get my eyes on”.