Star studded Sneaker Expo

Gosego Motsumi

Botswana’s first premium sneaker show dubbed Sneaker Expo BW taking place this weekend on 17th September at Phakalane Golf Estate will feature a creative workshop with a star studded lineup of prominent sneaker-heads from Botswana and the region.
The event powered by Urban Soul Apparel will host collector and Nike endorsed ambassador from Capetown, Hayden Manuel, founder and director of African Star Communications Farah Fortune, Urban Soul brand designer and strategist Gabriel Mothibedi, renowned music artist and sneaker collector and former Bongo Maffin vocalist Harold “Speedy” Matlhaku, founder of Urban Soul Apparel Molefi Nkwete and stylist Tumi Nthutang.
“If you are into Performing Arts, Public Relations, branding or want to understand more about the sneaker culture you would want to come and listen to the speakers at the creative workshop taking place the same day at the expo in the morning,” said Pearl Kolanyane, Public Relations Manager at Urban Soul.
Speedy, a self confessed sneaker-head will also be showcasing his sneaker collection while Fortune who is better known to her clients and industry peers as ‘The Pitbull In Heels’ will be telling her success story as she is a well known business woman behind many successful celebrity and corporate brands. Fortune has worked with the likes of AKA,  Cassper Nyovest and brands such as  Ciroc and a lot of blue chip corporate entities connecting them to the consumers. Capetonian and one of the biggest sneaker collectors in Africa, Manuel will also be speaking and showcasing his collection at the expo. In an interview with Head Honcho about his sneaker collection journey and inspiration he said,
“I’m from Capetown; it’s just a way of life down here, especially in the hood. Everybody is always looking at each other’s feet and attaching status accordingly, so no half stepping out here. Growing up all the older guys that I looked up to were wearing them so that’s how I started paying attention to kicks but I could never get them so I promised myself I would buy myself all the shoes I couldn’t have as a kid.”
In a previous interview with Time Out founder of Urban Soul, Nkwete said the Sneaker Expo was geared towards bridging the gap between consumers and products as well as a celebration of the sneaker culture in Botswana. “There will be a wide range of sneakers from regular kicks to rare collection. The event will be bringing sneakers that shaped history of the culture and changed the kicks game. It’s a story telling event coupled with product, collectors, Brand Designers, PR gurus,  and Sneaker Stylist among others,” Nkwete said.
Kolanyane also added that the expo is an exciting sneaker convention where sneaker-heads and lifestyle apparel enthusiasts can safely buy, sell and trade sneakers, clothing, and accessories.
“Our goal is to bring together the entire sneaker culture under one roof in a safe and welcoming space. Fashion brands including Real Legends, BraveWorld, Cotton Mouth and Urban Soul Apparel are the urban wear show-casers  for the day while DJ Fauz, DJ Root, DJ Shutdown, Shimrock and Da S will be entertaining at the after party at the Cigar Lounge,” she said.
Tickets to the Workshop are P150, and this will include a free entry into the Expo. Expo tickets are P150 for 2 adults P50 for kids: tickets are sold at all Urban Soul stores.