In 2022, Drip Footwear boss Lekau Sehoana stepped into the children’s clothing space and launched Kiddies Republic. This was after a prosperous two years in his sneaker business, Drip. "The idea for Kiddies Republic came about as a solution to the lack of a children’s clothing offering, where trend meets value for money," the managing director of Kiddies Republic Tshiamo Mathibela said at the time. The store at Mall of the North in Polokwane has since closed down due to non-payment of rent and three months’ staff salaries have also been missed.

PAY THE MONEY

A disgruntled staff member tells ZiMoja that not having a salary but going to work is frustrating. "We have not been paid our salaries. It’s not fair because we have been working and coming to work." The seven staff members at Kiddies Republic and at Drip Footwear at Mall of the North including the store manager were informed by the Human Resources manager that their store will be closing and that Drip Footwear will no longer fund their salaries. The staff members stopped operations at the store after not being paid salaries for March, April, and May.  

DELAYED SALARIES

They also allege that November 2022 and February 2023 salaries were also paid late. "We have families to take care of. Management made too many promises to us when we applied for jobs last year. We even left our old jobs hoping for greener pastures. But now we are back to square one and have to look for jobs again," said a staff member. Seven staff members protested outside the store but feel their voices fell on deaf ears. "They threatened us saying they would take legal action if we protested or took this to the media. We just want our money for the time we worked. They can keep their store," said an unhappy employee. ZiMoja reached out to Lekau but he was not available for comment.

FAMILY DRAMA

Last week, ZiMoja reported that the Drip footwear owner was experiencing personal challenges with his ex-wife Lebogang Machaba demanding 50% of the sneaker company as they allegedly started the brand together. The couple, who share a son together split in 2019. He is being accused of not taking care of their son and driving Lebohang to depression which resulted in a hospital stay. But he denied the allegations claiming he gives her R50 000 a month. "I send her R50 000 every month. She stays under my roof in Waterfall Estates, she’s under my medical aid and I bought her a BMW X6M Sports for R2 Million. I don’t bother that person with anything," Lekau said furiously at the time.

CLOSED

Drip Footwear boss has since confirmed the store closure. " the On 30 July 2022, South Africa was introduced to a local baby and children’s clothing shop, named Kiddies Republic. Its inception was aimed at introducing a new value-for-money children’s clothing retailer that is affordable yet trendy for a specific target audience. The first Kiddies Republic store was opened on 30 July 2022, at The Mall Of The North in Polokwane, Limpopo with the plans to open more stores. However, in any business, an owner takes a risk by operating with the hopes of the business becoming successful. This was sadly not the case," he says. "Kiddies Republic was not financially viable thus the difficult and unfortunate decision to close our doors and undergo a liquidation process." Lekau says that the liquidation process of Kiddies Republic is currently under way and liquidators were appointed last week by The Master of the High Court. "All stakeholders were informed by management of the liquidation and subsequent appointment of the liquidators." The Kiddies Republic company is a separate entity from other entities managed by the CEO, Mr Lekau Sehoana. "DRIP Footwear is a sperate entity from The Kiddies Republic. The decision to liquidate the entity ,The Kiddies Republic (Pty) Ltd, was made independently from any other entity managed by Mr. Lekau Sehoana. We reiterate the fact that Drip Footwear is not affected and will remain operational and in business as usual."