Social media is abuzz with mixed reactions to the new Bathu sneakers and, it seems, the more raucous voice is not happy with the locally made design.
Here’s how social media reacted to new Bathu sneakers
Founder of the bespoke South African shoe brand would have welcomed the ‘rich’ feedback he received from the announcement he made on social media.
Bathu is set to partner with Mercedes Benz South Africa for a limited-edition sneaker range, an addition to the brand’s already popular mesh line.
The only difference is, these collabs will feature a Merc emblem on the side panels, and according to mockups presented by Baloyi at a meeting at the German manufacturer’s offices in East London, EC, the range may come in the C Class staple colours: black, white and red.
Bathu x Mercedes Benz SA.
— Theo Baloyi (@theo_baloyi01) May 27, 2022
From a room in Alex to collaborating with iconic brands.
A customized mesh edition for the entire Mercedes Benz Plant , Sales & Marketing , Procurement & Finance Team.
“Walk Your Journey” pic.twitter.com/yZKrWqWkdA
While Baloyi, a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni and three-time recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year honour, may have impressed in the boardroom, the streets were not feeling the new Bathu sneakers.
Here are some of the reactions to the trending topic:
Go to the hood or the rurals. There’s more Drip and Bathu than Nike/Adidas/Puma. They’ve got the streets. https://t.co/PeqrhVx4BR
— The President (@AshleyMakgatho) May 25, 2022
I have no problem with Bathu as a shoe. Great story, shoes look nice and comfortable and they have their market. However I have a problem with the brand misalignment. Sek’yadlalwa manje https://t.co/eNzvmOgEGk
— Nhlakanipho (@Nipho_M) May 28, 2022
I love local, I really want to support but our kick game is weak man. All of them. Drip, bathu… All of. https://t.co/6DPrnGj2Le
— Charles Patrick (@CharlesPatrick0) May 28, 2022
I really need a study conducted on where and how Bathu got it wrong and what Drip did differently.
— OREEFA. (@__reefa__) May 28, 2022
I love an African success story as much as the next guy but Bathu shoes are two packs of ass from a design pov. Lovely to see negros flourishing but those sneakers are ugly dawg
— £X (@WeLoveHabibiz) May 28, 2022