Wandile Zondo is Co-Founder of the infamous Steet Wear Brand called Thesis. Over the years the brand has grown to become the largest and most distinctive Township Clothing Brand in the country, continuously re-inventing itself to have a place on the global stage. This is Thesis.
WHO IS WANDILE ZONDO AND WHAT KEEPS HIM MOTIVATED?
Wandile Zondo is a Soweto born entrepreneur who co-founded Thesis Lifestyle in 2005 with an aim of changing clothing retail in the township one shop at a time. What keeps me motivated is doing what I love everyday.
WHAT DOES THE BRAND THESIS STAND FOR AND WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?
Thesis is initially a street wear brand inspired by local youth culture. The brand has evolved over time seeking greater influence on the communities it serves. Today the brand is expounded into 4 pillars (1. Clothing 2. Retail Store 3. Events 4. Social Impact- which is Running and Cycling), from the four pillars you should ultimately understand what we stand for as an institution. We are all about creating an ideal of freedom and independence in the name of defining oneself.
DID YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO ESTABLISHING THESIS?
I worked at Edgars for 7 years before we opened our first store in Soweto. I suppose the experience gave me some broad insight into fashion and retail management.
GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ON HOW THESIS WAS FOUNDED AND SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE HAD TO ENDURE IN BUSINESS?
Galebowe Mahlatsi (Wireless G) and myself founded Thesis. We were friends going around town and buying second hand clothes and selling them. We then decided to start our own brand from that. It was a tough process in the beginning as we had little financial resources and lacked the experience of running an optimum business. All we had was passion and the will power to learn. I took credit card debt to fund the business, which I would not advise anyone to do. My extended family was very supportive, two of my cousins helped invest some capital into our operation and that is how we opened our first store in Mofolo on June 16 of 2007. We have been trading since then and we still have some good and bad days. The biggest challenge till this day is making sure our doors are open to public every single day.
WHAT MAKES YOUR BRAND UNIQUELY COMPETITIVE?
We have what I call a disadvantage that is an advantage. What I mean by that is, being a Township corner store can be a disadvantage as it exposes you to criminal elements and at times, lack of control. The advantage is that our stores have become thriving destination spots both in Soweto and Kagiso. We have people coming all over the world to see both stores. More over our local clientele, we are building an international reputation and reference point for South African Youth Culture. It is all attributed to the four pillars I mentioned before.
WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LINE OF WORK?
My two cousins who invested in the brand when it started. I cherish their support as two individuals who believed in the idea when no one saw the potential.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON MZANSI STREET CULTURE IN 2016?
We need to keep growing the industry and own more of our ideas.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC TRAITS TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?
I don’t prescribe to any specific rules in business but I do know that it is important to work doubly hard, to persevere and to always be a student at business by opening yourself up to new ideas and changes.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO GROW THE BUSINESS IN THE COMING YEARS?
The plan is to open more stores in as many township metros as possible and to change the face of Youth Culture in those areas.
WHAT LESSONS SHOULD WE BE GUIDED BY TO HELP LIBERATE OURSELVES AS YOUNG BLACK BUSINESS?
I think we first need to be aware of our history as young South Africans, so we can appreciate this beautiful gift called democracy and enable ourselves to build legacies for our children. It is important that we build on township economies by developing more SMEs, they are the life-blood of every new economy. Black business must be aware that Africa is the next frontier of growth so more opportunities are coming our way and we must be prepared.
FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE?
Pressa, Pusha, Panda. Persevere, keep an optimistic attitude and hustle hard.
KASIBIZ MAHALA STAFF WRITER
