Ambitious Hustle "Ashaba Official"

I’m Ashaba Andrew  (24) founder of ASHABA fashion brand formally known as Bonafide Prints. I am a fashion designer despite not having studied Business Information Technology at university level..
We had an online website as Bonafide Prints but then while we were rebranding to ASHABA we realized we did not need a website at the time because most of our orders were coming through our social media platforms. It’s a bit inconvenient for customers to identify something on say our Instagram page then they have to go to the website and scroll through it and find it then add to cart and check out. They found it easier to just DM (direct message) us whatever they saw on our Instagram and say i want this in this size.

Why name it ASHABA as you may ask, it’s my name and it’s african, its short, more memorable. While it was bonafide prints people used to forget what it was called and they’d have to call or text me to remind them incase they wanted to tag us on their social media bur surprisingly they always remembered my name Ashaba.

When Did You Start Thinking "Entrepreneurship" Designing/ Tapping Into The Fashion Industry?

I can say I started as an entrepreneur back in my early high school days with T-shirt branding.

What Led You Too Start This?

I actually started doing this as a business a while ago, 2016 to be specific. Before that I just used to make items for myself just to wear and feel “original” haha. It became serious towards the end of 2015 beginning of 2016. A friend of mine  (Cliff Ombasa) who lives in Minessota saw one of my jumpers and wanted to get one for himself so i sent it his way. So one day he calls me and says “bro i have something i need to tell you.” To be honest I expected some bad news like he had been arrested or something like that but then he told me he wore the jumper to a party he was attending and he had everyone’s attention immediately he walked through the door. It was an african themed kind of party and his jumper was very unique. No one in the whole state had something similar. So they asked him how where he bought it from to which he responded by saying, thats his side business. Hahaha. Smart guy. So he received orders for similar jumpers from the party. I think he walked away with almost 47 orders of which more than half of those customers had already paid a deposit to him in Cash. So after that night the business started.

What Is Your Vision Through Ashaba ?

ASHABA is an African fashion brand that aims focuses on african prints and patterns with a twist of western culture. We look to integrate the fashion industry with different cultures so as to unite every individual despite race, religion, age and gender.

Tell What The Fashion Industry & Being An Entrepreneur Like In Kenya, Nairobi

Being an entrepreneur in Nairobi is tough business especially in the fashion industry. There’s alot of copy paste.

What Are The Lows You've Come Across In This Industry?

Some of the problems we’ve faced are consistency (in the early days) as all our products are tailor made. So as we all know “Human is to error” so consistency was a bit of an issue but now they (tailors) got used to making these products so they are a bit more consistent. 

Distribution is also a problem coz the shipping prices are ridiculously high.

Have You Been Thinking About Growing The Brand In Terms Of Branching Into Different Places, Like Being Accessible For A Larger Audience?

Yes I’ve been thinking of growing ASHABA beyond the boarder. We want to have stores everywhere. We will start with pop up stores soon. God willing late this year.

What Are The Highs Of The Industry?

With this vision and mission in us we’ve been able to work with some great music talents in and out of the continent for some of their Music Videos,  concerts, Interviews...like Diamond Platnumz(Tanzania), RayVanny(Tanzania), Wizkid (Nigeria), Tekno(Nigeria), Lola, Rae (Nigeria), The Kansoul (Kenya), Vivian (Kenya), Romain Virgo (Jamaica), Pallaso (Uganda), Avril (Kenya) just to mention but a few. We’ve also had the opportunity to work with Coke-Studio Africa back in 2016/2017

Your Merchandise Is An Eye Catcher (Daymn), Tell Me More About The Production Process. What Is The Inspiration Behind The Latest Range?

The designing of the products is more visual to me as I design all the products myself. I can see a specific material and in my mind I’ll visualize what to pair it with cause i had maybe seen something different somewhere else then I’d have to go to the artist that draws for me (I’m not very good at drawing), so I’d have to explain to them in detail. It’s actually quite funny if you saw us talking about a design you’d think we are fighting because what is in my head is not what he is putting on paper in the beginning. But he gets it right in the end and then the process starts. I handpick all the items myself buttons, zips, linings, ribs, color of threads etc I’m very specific when it comes to these things. 

Is It About The Passion, Money Or Fame? 

I’d say it’s about passion and money because opportunities aren’t easy to come by these days.

Typically Describe A Day At The Ashaba Quaters

A typical day at ASHABA is mostly spent at the stores/markets searching for new fabrics while those at the workshop work on the orders placed. Quite boring

Your Line Is Fresh And Vibrant, Tell Me Do You Work Alone?

Do i work alone? No not really, i have some friends of mine in different countries that help me distribute my products for a cut at the end of the day. We have tailors, delivery motorcycles as well. So no I don’t do everything myself.

By The Looks Of Things You're Young, Black And Talented Besides Clothing, What Else Are You Up Too?

Apart from fashion I’m slowly learning the ropes of event organization. A bit of farming here and there too.

What Is The Targeted Market You Looking At?

Our target market is everyone of every age, race, religion. As we have the ability to mix up all these cultures and just be ONE world under the sun.

What Is Your Mission You Want To Accomplish With Ashaba?

ASHABA looks to be on the same level as Nike in the long run or adidas. America and Europe already have these superpower brands and ASHABA will be the first Africa has had.

Where Do You See Ashaba In The Next Coming 5 Years?

We want to become a household name and not have every african talking about yeezy, gucci, jordans. We want every african to be proud of their own and the whole world at large.

I Want To Support You Rite? Where Can I Get Linked Up With Your Merchandise, I'm From South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe And I Want To Purchase, How Do I Go About It? 

Contact: +254714036134 on whatsapp & FaceTime 

Email: ashabandre@gmail.com

We do offer worldwide shipping services to customers outside kenya.

If I Wanna Follow Your Work Where Do I Get Linked Up?

Instagram : @Ashaba_official

Twitter : @Ashaba_official

Facebook: Ashabaofficial

Style By Epic

Minimalistic SkateBoy P (Pantsula)

I remember while growing "Dickies" was not on our list as one of our favourite brands. The stereotyping around it was distasteful, simply because it was a day to day item "Pantsula's" (a fashionable young urban black person, especially a man) never went without. It would be cutoff 874 work pants or longsleeves work shirts, puntsula's always pulled off the look effortlessly. They'd look clean and dapper but we wanted nothing to do with "Dickies" because somehow pantsula's were associated with "Tsotsi's" (Criminals). Fastforward to the millenniums were fashion has evolved, were two styles can be merged into one and still make sense. Nowadays we live in a society were fashion is a language, a very complex language. We tend to mix patterns, textures, styles and two different worlds.

This look is inspired by a Pantsula look merged with a Skateboy look, the two are far apart from each other in terms of culture, but share elments that are not compromised but work well together effortlessly. Its minimalistic yet screams a lot of personality.

Want the Look?

- Get yourself a plain t-shirt from Mr Price

- 1 sun 3 stars windbreaker jacket limited edition by Dickies

-Dickies UO exclusive cutoff 874 work pants

-Men's Vans old skool (black & white)

Sources: Pinterest, Suberbalist, Dickies

Ambitious Hustle "Emcy Murder"

Attridgeville's music scene is growing day by day. I'm really proud of the hard work each and every individual puts in to sharpen their talent and skill. I took interest in "Emcy Murder" after seeing the tone he sets out via his internet presences. With one of the projects i direct #PheliAwards . which is a community development programme that focusses on acknowledging and honoring hardworking in and around my community, I came across the most favourable person whom had a lot of people vouching for him through nominations. I then started putting an eye on him and doing some research, he turned out to be a young determined artist that happens to love music and is passionate in making good formidable music. Meet our Ambitious Hustler Emcy Murder.

Who Is Emcy Murder?

eMcy Murder is a 17 year old rapper born in Springs,Ekurulene and raised and currently located in Atteridgeville .

What Has Your Community Done In Order For Your Talent To Be Established?

By simply showing love which was hard for meh to get from them but the little love I receive does a huge difference it keeps me pushing each and everyday

When Did You Start Doing Music?

I started music when I was doing grade 6 which was 7 years ago but started taking it serious when I started high school.

What Led You Too Start This?

Its was my friends actually. They all hip-hop all the way,So I decided to just join them and feel what they feel only to find that I found my purpose in life, my passion.

Emcy Moola Performing At #PheliAwards18

What Are The Lows You've Come Across In This Industry? 

Struggling to establish yourself in the game and getting my hood to love and appreciate what I do. And getting my music out there.

What Are The Highs Of The Industry?

Getting recognised and appreciated. Like for example I finally got nominated for two categories last year at the Pheli Awards and I reached the finals of Pheli's got talent.

What If A Record Company Wants To Sign You?

Well it'll depend. I have to first check the background of the label , it's reputation. But then honestly speaking as an independent artist my hunger for success will over shadow my decision.

On That Note About Being Signed, Is There Any Deals You Got By Far Any Promising Signing? 

Currently I am independent but there's a deal I am working on, but I won't mention anything till further notice

Is It About The Passion, Money Or Fame?

Honestly at the beginning it was about the Money ,the fame , the women but as time went on and I saw how people react when I'm on stage and how I feel with the Mic in my hand I realised that the is more to this than what I mentioned above.

I Know That You're A Talented Young Being, Besides Music, What Else Are You Up Too?

Well I'm a great actor too. Actually before doing music I wanted to take the route of acting.

Please Describe Your Sound?

Yohh... I myself can't even describe my sound , mainly because I talk about everything and anything I can talk about and I can hop on any beat hence it makes it hard to give it a specific description

Your Sound Is Fresh And Relates To An Average Joe From Kasi Aka The "Township". Tell Me Who Produces Your Beats? 

Well I often work with DeLine who is an Amapiano producer mainly but he is able to do hip-hop beats too and produce my tracks which is an advantage because we are able to explore different things with out reaching out to different people

What Is The Targeted Market You Looking At?

Well I won't say I have a specific target I'm making music for people who love music .

What Is The Mission You Want To Accomplish Via Your Music?

I want to inspire the youth . Make sure that they know that everything is possible if only you are patient and honest with yourself.

Who Would You Like To Work With That Is Already In The Mainstream? 

It has to be Moozlie or B3nchmarq.

Emcy Murder Classifies Himself As Part Of #MoolaGang

Any Collabs You Have Done?

Yes I feat RyanB and Jtwist on a track which was nominated for song of the year at  Pheli Awards 2018, Another one was when I was  featured by Mother Vie a vocalist I went to school with, titled Goodbye.

Where Do You See Your Music In The Next Coming 5 Years?

I see myself raising the country's flag high continentally if not internationally.

I'm A Fan Rite? Where Can I Get Linked Up With Your Music? 

Check my artist profile on Slikouronlife Emcy Murder #MrMoola and/or subscribe to my youtube channel emcymurder.

If I Wanna Follow Your Work Where Do I Get Linked Up?

Follow me on.
Twitter :@eMcy_Murder
Instagram :@emcymurder
Facebook : EMcy Murder #MrMoola

One Of His Hobby Is Posing For The Camera And Taking Selfies. Check Out Emcy Murder, His An Upcoming Sensational Hip Hop Artist. 

A DAIRY OF A GAY BLACK BOY "Episode 2"

Dear Diary:

On The 14th of January 1998 i had just turned 7 years old, very clueless about what grade 2 would be or what it had in store for me. An inquisitive individual i was. Articulate in every oral or reading assessment we had, i’ve always been over and above being basic. Naughty to the core because of the void i wanted to fill. I loved drawing but not just anything, specifically clothes, Designer dresses that had a unique signature touch, hahaha. In my head i probably thought i was going to be a designer one day. That explains my love for fashion in today in my youthful days, Specifically coordinating outfits together and emphasizing looks, specifically items such as shoes, bags and blazers. Coming to think of it i never took interest in designing or ever thought of taking lessons as a hobby but it’s something i can vividly put my finger on to say most of my classmates teased me about my passionate love for drawing garments. Yes the Girls really got excited to page through my sketches but the guys really had no interest. I remember as years went by, my feminine side would start revealing even more, i would still be your typical boy but laugh so hard and not so normal, slightly slap my thigh when speaking, made gestures that would give people the right to call me “GAY”. This would hurt me so much because i would think these people can see through me, while i was trying to be a typical boy that was hiding his true-self from everyone, so how obvious was it to my so-called friends and everyone else? A year after the ”BIG Millenium” which was 2001, i was just turned 10 years and was in grade 5 attending at Laudium Primary School. I had a teacher who was strict, a disciplinary at heart. My classmates had been the same people i started with in grade 1, so we knew each other. My drawing traits/hobby hadn’t left me as yet, so one day while “MR NAIDOO” was teaching i was busy indulging in my “AVANTE GARDE” Designs. Lost in my world he caught me in action shading the best dress still yet to come out of Laudium Primary, hahaha. Out of anger he then started calling me names such as SISSY, GAY and MOFFIE. The young me full of anguish started crying and cursing him then ran out of his class and never came back again, got home explained the ordeal to my mother, obviously with some twists and bends here & there i managed to get “MR NAIDOO” out of his classroom as well. Those who know my mom will tell you she’s not a woman to mess with, take this from me, she’s as feisty as they come, hard as a rock, brave as a bull and smart as a lioness that knows what’s right for her cubs. So Mommy dearest did what the pots cannot be done and took a transfer for her “GAY” son to a school in the west of Pretoria called “LAERSKOOL KWAGGASRAND”. That’s after she caused a helluva mess at my previous school A new year, A new school, new grade and new me. I was about to start a new journey without people name calling or shaping me to fit in their desired boxes. Eventually i made new friends that saw me as “OFENTSE SEAN LEWIS”, a hetrosexual ambitious boy that was as normal as everyone and had no intentions in starting to draw what expose me to be a young “David Tlale”.

Written By : Ofentse Sean Lewis

Photograph Of Mpendulo Cele By Ofentse Sean Lewis