If you are into the local street culture then you definitely know what has been happening in the streets. Cape Town-based streetwear brand and collective Broke Boys, who we refer to as “The modern-day Emzini Wezinsizwa” have decided to take the breaking boundaries ethos to greater heights with their Boot Sale. It kicked off in their home ground at 53 Wales Street, it was jam-packed with people out in the streets showing their love and support.

Broke Boys is a collective that is single-handedly shifting the South African street culture and in doing so we are seeing cracks in the industry and the lack of unity amongst brands, creatives and “industry OGs” compared to other parts of the world particularly African countries. Nigerians and Ghanaians move as a unit and this has resulted in everyone winning.

Ourhomecoming, which is delineated as “a movement; igniting new cultural conversation and creative development across Africa. With a vision to empower the continent’s young generation with the knowledge and resources they need to inspire and enable future innovation and growth” was founded by Grace Ladoja a born-and-bred Londoner of Nigerian descent.

She brings Nigerian creatives and brands together through the festival and she has collaborated with and celebrated streetwear brands that were founded in Nigeria or by Nigerian creatives from, WafflesnCream to Motherlan, StreetSouk, Ashluxe and others which include Patta, Daily Paper and Free The Youth.

The power of community is undeniable and that is something Johannesburg hasn’t gotten the hang of. We thrive in cliques and not communities and that is something the Broke Boys are trying to dismantle not only in their city but in other regions as well by bringing people together through their brand and creative spaces in different cities.

From 99 Juta – a design-focused space located in the heart of Braamfontein which houses a multitude of events, brands and exhibitions, The Concept Store in Vaal which serves as a fashion creative hub that engages all young creatives across mediums of art and fashion to Daily Dosage in Durban – a creative haven for brands and creatives.

The Durban community did not shy away from showing up and showing love. It was such a beautiful sight to witness the street culture community come together. From the young to the old, we all came together to celebrate with the BROKE boys for one day of ukugqobhoza. I won’t lie, Mfundo Memela was right, we definitely need to build the BROKE boys a 4 room house this side…imagine if we had a pop up every two weeks or monthly?

Think the most important take away from this tour is how the future really is in community. We move stronger as a unit than as individuals. It really does take a village to raise a child. In this case, it takes a community to ensure that the street wear culture continues to grow forward.