This week Jambo Africa Online profiles a Johannesburg-based innovative entrepreneur, David Mithi, who manufactures bags and helps to reverse the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality in South Africa…
Bag Stalker has entered the South African bag manufacturing business segment in an effort to provide the South African Public Sector as well as Private sector with a long-term, affordable and practical solution that will help to reduce the socio-economic imbalances of the past and create companies that are owned and operated by people with disabilities and to counter the ever-escalating unemployment in our communities.
It is a well-known fact that, during the last three decades, in South Africa the demand for employment has far exceeded supply; leading to ongoing protest, disillusionment by youth, marginalised groups such as women, people with disabilities and university graduates. The unemployment crisis was further compounded by lockdown restrictions intended to contain the infectious spread of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022; the July 2021 riots in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal; the April 2022 floods in both KwaZulu Natal and Eastern; also, unemployment has now been accelerated by Eskom’s load shedding tactics which force small businesses to shed jobs or close down; and these result in a double-digit unemployment increase expected to come in 2023. These will put the country and profitability of many businesses at risk than it is now.
With this in mind, Bag Stalker was founded in 2016 and started manufacturing bags in February 2022. Its major purpose is to assist Government, Commercial and Industrial companies to reduce the burden of trying to employ everybody; contribute to creating sustainable SMMEs; to support B-BBEE companies; eradicate the imbalances of the past; and save valuable jobs by supporting companies such as Bag Stalker in its effort.
What we do
The founder of the company, David Mithi, says: “We source ALL our fabric materials in South Africa and we also employ South African designers, machinists, and cutters. Most of the government, commercial, and private companies as well as large to small companies are buying bags and accessories from Chinese manufacturers as opposed to supporting emerging South African SMMs and this does not contribute to job creation in our country.”
The company is involved in various activities that include bag manufacturing; cut, make and trim (CMT); dye sublimation of materials; and laser cutting and stitching of bags, umbrellas, gazebos, flags and related products, project management, sales and marketing related services. “Over-and-above these products and services, the customer has a choice of engaging Bag Stalker with other customised services they might need in the future, provided that it is within our expertise and scope so as to increase and enhance their preferential procurement spent with the appropriate B-BBEE partner,” says David matter-of-factly.
“There is also no need for customers to replace existing supplier/s, simply add us into your supplier database and enhance your points in enterprise development – be rest assured Bag Stalker is a perfect example of an enterprise and supplier development partner. Our products and services have been tested by many customers over the period that we have been in existence. The brand stands for quality, reliability, innovation, and environmentally compliance and friendliness.”
The company has big plans and values competitiveness through innovation. “We will continue to develop using global manufacturing cutting-edge technology, while constantly researching improvements in the existing products and services technology. We’re investing sufficient resources into research and development as well as in the manufacturing of the product in South Africa. We have planned to continue strengthening our market presence geographically through the appointment of independent distributors and marketing consultants in all the major metropolitan areas of South Africa. Our products and services add a whole new dimension to cost effective resellers of products and services in South Africa.
“Our products are very competitively priced compared to other similar products currently being marketed in South Africa. To this end there are other companies marketing and distributing similar products in SA. However, their products are currently being marketed at prices that are substantially higher than than our products – affordability is our key focus as we believe the economic crisis with its embedded high inflation rate has thrown many into financial distress.”
The company’s product line includes Tote bags, Shopping bags, Crossbody bags, Clutch, Hobo bags, Satchel Shoulder bags, Messenger bags, Duffle bags, Briefcase Luggage bags, Makeup bags, Coin purses/wallets, Cooler Bags, School lunch Bags and First Aid Kit Bags.
Quality is the company’s mantra. “Our suppliers of raw fabric materials, machinery and equipment have been tested by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and they comply with the applicable various laws and regulations of their respective industries. Furthermore, most of our suppliers are ISO-accredited manufacturers and their products and services also have various accreditations.”
The company’s strategy is intended to reverse the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality in South Africa. “Our finished products are distributed throughout South Africa. So, we’re developing cohorts of black entrepreneurs as distributors of our products in various provinces. Those who do not have adequate capital to go solo may team up into cooperatives that may employ both skilled and unskilled persons. These distribution centres will become profitable, and we foresee them creating 100s of sustainable jobs.
Watch David’s video of his interview on Activated on SABC 2 below:
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For more information, contact David Mithi on +27 (0) 74 499 0999, through email on david@tshonoinvestment.co.za, or visit their plant at Lily Mithi House, 27 Riley Road, Bedfordview, JOHANNESBURG.