By: Zethu Gweva
Trying to make ends meet Ayabulela Mabinda, 28, from King Williams Town washes sneakers to earn an income to support his family.
The Buffalo City TVET College Human Resource Management graduate said the Black Race Sneaker Wash is a company that was founded in June 2019 because of the love he has for sneakers and also as a side business that will help him gain income while he does not have a stable job.
“The sneaker culture is more like a lifestyle as I am also a hip hop artist, so to us sneakers are more than just shoes but they are our culture. I decided to start a business because when I looked around I noticed how people are not taking care of their sneakers and they do not know how to treat them,” said Mabinda.
In addition, Mabinda said, what is different about how they wash sneakers is that they also educate customers on how to wash their takkies and which products to use.
“If you want to quickly wash or treat your sneakers and you can not bring them to us. We teach you how to wash them and show you all the products to use. It is not about the money and you bringing your sneakers to us to treat them for you, however to us it is a culture and we intend to educate people on how to treat their sneakers,” he said.
Talking about the prices he said for adults it is R35 to wash a pair and for children aged 10 years and below it is R20. They are mobile, they pick them up and drop off the sneakers after they have been treated.
“To be honest the money we make is spent on our cleaning products and transport since we don’t have a big clientele yet,’’ said Mabinda.
He added that they hope to have branches all over the Eastern Cape so that they can also provide employment for unemployed graduates who wish to support their families.
For more information on Black Race Sneaker Wash you can contact Ayabulela Mabinda on 065 8991310 for WhatsApp 0603932943.