Drip Sneakers is one of the success stories South African townships have ever produced. From NoShoes to building a fast-growing sneaker business in the competitive market of South Africa. Now,

with over 12 stores across the country, bringing this modern and beautiful sneaker closer to you.

Drip is a fast-growing brand that produces well-designed, attractive sneakers targeted at young

people. It was founded in 2003 by Lekau Sehoana, a young leader from Ivory Park, Tembisa.

Sehoana started the business with nothing but recycled materials. His first shoe was from

a torn Adidas sneaker and redesigned it using Denims and Polyurethane. His goal was to get out of

poverty, not knowing his entrepreneurial journey is just getting started. +17 years later of making

shoes, DRIP has its own offices and employees selling over 3000 sneakers in 6 months.

Drip recently opened its new store at Vaal Mall. This adds to the list of 12 stores by Drip

nationwide.

1. Pretoria CBD 012 Central

2. Joburg Newtown Junction

3. Mall of Tembisa

4. Springs Mall

5. Masingita Mall

6. Mall of the North

7. Thavhani Mall

8. Rustenburg Mall

20; 21; 22 2022

It's also reported they'll opening yet another store in Polokwane, Mall of the North. The Drip

footwear is now selling from R700.00 to R1,200.00 depending on the type, size, and color variations

you'd like to purchase. Alternatively, you can still order your Drip sneaker online by

visiting www.dripsa.co.za and clicking the shop menu tab. Select your preferred color and add it to

the basket. Proceed to checkout and update your delivery details. Make payment and wait for your

delivery. Free deliveries for orders around Ekhuruleni municipality.

Because Sehoana built the business on the basis of recycled materials, he wouldn't want to lose its

main element that started the business. Drip buys back old sneakers when they begin to tear and

unwearable. The company gives way school shoes to young people that are from unprivileged

family backgrounds, who were like Lekau 17 years ago.

Drip footwear founder Lekau Sehoana on his international dream

They are one of the most successful and fastest-growing sneaker brands in South Africa. In just two

years Drip footwear has opened 16 stores across the country and partnered with big brands some

of the biggest celebrities and brands. Drip announced their partnership with BMW and have

changed their slogan from 'The Township Dream' to 'Live your Great'. Their sneakers will be

available for sale at the BMW Midrand dealership in the form of a pop-up store.

Founder and businessman Lekau Sehoana (33) says the tagline change was inspired by every

milestone he reaches. "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. "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. Had I not realized the greatness within me, we would not have Drip today. Look

inside you, there's a fire burning, now go and get it. Live Your Great."

He was born in Limpopo but grew up in Ivory Park in Gauteng. Lekau started his brand when he could not afford shoes. After his parents divorced, his unemployed mother had to make ends meet for him and his three siblings while living in a shack. "I had a very beautiful but challenging childhood. I didn't know that we were poor until I started secondary education. I was forced to sew clothes so I could provide from as young as 14 years old." For casual days at school, he made clothes he had made himself. "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. This was the beginning of Drip. "People loved my outfits, and my sneakers stole the show. 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. "Being an engineer was a dream, but I was forced to make shoes to survive. I didn't think I would make a business out of it," he says. 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. He is currently in the process of building DripEd, a Drip Education centre in Ivory Park where he grew up. "We are launching DripEd in March 2022," he says. "I know what it's like to have nothing and we wanted to elevate my community and a foundation that will keep the youth busy and active after school. 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. There will be a big sneaker that they can enter and purchase sneakers from the big sneaker store. We want the kids to use the centre to better themselves and their education. I will also be spending a lot of time there, mentoring and guiding the youth." Having achieved so much, Lekau believes they are just getting started. "We haven't started yet. We have so much in the pipeline. In the next few months, we will be opening stores outside of South Africa. We are going global and more international artists in the US and UK are wearing our products. We plan to align with football teams, sports and launch other products. We have new designs and accessories coming out. We are not limited to just sneakers," he says. Lekau looks up to business owners Ndaba Ntsele who is Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Pamodzi, Rita Zwane Imbizo Shisanyama owner, and Patrice Motsepe. Growing up he listened to Kanye West and Jay Z who helped shape his thinking. "I look up to people with a similar story to mine and draw inspiration from them."

Questions:

Determine which business level strategy (low-cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy, focused strategies or integrated cost leadership/differentation strategies) is followed by Drip Footwear and discuss how they are implementing the specific strategy.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the strategy.

Evaluate the business level strategy implemented by Drip Footwear.

In your opinion, does Drip Footwear's business level strategy suite their organisation? Provide support for your answer