Zwakala launches children's shoe line
Zwakala is expected to launch a shoe line for children. The brand has a local identity that defines Botswana.
For this local brand, identity is very important and they try by all means to promote the country through their clothing line and activities.
Founder of Zwakala, Joconia Malunga told Vibe that their name Zwakala is a common street word in Botswana, South Africa, and Eswatini meaning, come.
“We want to call people so that we show them excellence and sovereign African identity,” he said.
Their niche market targets low end to middle income class. He reiterated that their brand concept goes with the Zwakala narrative and so targets ghetto way of living to narrate a beautiful fashion story of an ordinary Motswana.
He is of the view that very often, people think of the big five when they think Botswana tourism and so they want to change this narrative by including some of the beautiful aspects that Botswana could be remembered for.
“Everyone thinks of tourism, beef, diamonds and salt when they think Botswana and as creatives, we should be the ones to promote all these features, as well as those that no one talks about. Zwakala is just aligned to take up this assignment,” he said.
Adding, “Our new sneakers for children carry something symbolic to us, and it is art driven and anchored around local identity,” he said, further noting that the sneaker shoe would be available by end of this month. Besides this new shoe line, they have a variety of merchandise including t-shirts, caps and tracksuits. Their outfits depend on the season and they go with emerging trends.
Zwakala also plans on opening a Blom Kamp for children, with a versatile studio to allow them to become creative with their time. This is expected to start operating in August. Malunga noted that they are also working on raw sandals otherwise known as mpechane shoes in their brand to promote local products. He reiterated that they genuinely want to change the perception about local brands and promote them.
“I must applaud the fact that now people recognize local brands and support them accordingly,” he said. He works with local entities including Subli Massion Hub and SM Designs among others. They plan to introduce vendor system for retailing as a way of promoting local brands.