GEORGE MOYO: FROM HAWKER TO FOUNDER OF SHOSHOLOZA STREETWEAR

Growing up poor in Alex made George Moyo determined to succeed. Inspired by his favourite song, he started his own business and made his mark on the clothing and textile industry.

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It’s a song that’s familiar to most South Africans. Some even call it our second national anthem. ‘For me, “Shosholoza” is a song that reminds me of my childhood,’ says 63-year-old businessman George Moyo. ‘My father was a migrant worker and I remember singing the song with my family.’

As a symbol of hope and solidarity, Shosholoza was the name that Moyo chose when he started his own business in the euphoric days of South Africa’s new democracy. ‘I wanted to continue the motivation of working together,’ he explains, ‘that’s why I chose that name for my merchandise.’



FROM HAWKER TO ENTREPRENEUR
From humble beginnings as a hawker trading outside Johannesburg Park Station, Moyo was recruited to join the Business Achievers Foundation. ‘An article about me caught the attention of Willie Ramoshaba,’ says Moyo. He credits fellow entrepreneurs Ramoshaba, Marina Maponya and Jeff van Rooyen as being instrumental in his success. ‘They helped define me as a business leader,’ he says.

It was at the Business Achievers Foundation that Moyo learnt more about the clothing and textile industry. He was also exposed to legal issues affecting businesses, in particular copyright law. When the African National Congress was unbanned, he became involved in protecting the ANC’s intellectual property and curbing pirated ANC merchandise. Moyo went on to work as a director at Nu Metro Licensing in the early 1990s, licensing well-known characters like Bob the Builder.

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A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS
Shosholoza was born in 1994. ‘Initially it was a joint venture with Gallo Records,’ says Moyo. ‘The brand was formed in that period of the new South Africa, with the excitement of the country coming together.’ He then licensed Shosholoza to Woolworths and CNA. ‘It began with clothing, footwear and stationery,’ he explains.

In 2012, he partnered with the International Trend Institute (ITI) and licensed Team Trading Enterprises to produce sportswear for schools, including cricket, rugby, hockey, netball, soccer and waterpolo clothing and kit. Today the brand is better known for its hardy gumboots made by Neptun Boots, which supplies the country’s major mines. It’s apt that the title of a song inspired by migrant workers is now the name of a brand worn by the miners themselves.

Now, 2021 is another year of new beginnings for George, with the Shosholoza brand being brought to Jet customers.

“I think when you go into business, you should make the world a better place.”

MOYO’S MANTRA
Moyo’s business philosophy is: ‘Work hard, don’t lose hope and push until it happens.’ He believes that whatever you do should leave an enduring legacy. ‘I think when you go into business, you should make the world a better place,’ he asserts. ‘It’s not about making a profit – that’s important, but the main thing is to leave a positive impact on those around you.’

RESPECT AND UBUNTU
As well as licensing Shosholoza, Moyo is involved in the Respect and Ubuntu Foundation, which supports disadvantaged township schools. ‘I invite my wealthy friends to gala events to raise funds for school renovations and to buy school uniforms for impoverished children through my Every Learner Deserves Dignity programme,’ he says. His future plans include looking for new opportunities for his Shosholoza brand, including expanding into overseas markets, the United Kingdom in particular.

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THE WISDOM OF HINDSIGHT
Looking back, the one thing Moyo regrets is taking on the role of marketing director at a food production company in 2006. ‘The pay was more than I was earning through Shosholoza, but with hindsight, I think it made me lose focus,’ he concedes. ‘If you’re running your own business, you should stick to it.’

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The Shosholoza streetwear range is available at selected Jet stores now.