Zart Clothing, Durban’s popular brand: Seven years in business
By: Siyauyazi Mshengu
Zart Clothing has taken Durban and beyond by storm with the best merchandise and distinctive style that reflects the owner’s profound sense of who he is, what he believes in, and where he wants to be in the near future.
“I started my company with headwear, which I felt would be easier to sell at the time, and with the capital I had at the time, it wasn’t easy to start creating and selling something substantial.”
Mfundi Thabiso Msimang (26) of KwaMashu township in Durban, the owner and founder of Zart Clothing, says the concept of beginning a business and developing a brand did not come to him all at once.
Msimang says that before the concept of starting a business came full circle, he was stuck between doing something that would not overwork him, despite the fact that he is a hard worker, and doing something that would bring him a lot of money.
He has since expanded the brand beyond hats to include t-shirts, track suits, bags, and other goods suitable for children.
Zart Clothing is by far Durban’s most popular brand, having won many hearts with their unique logo over the last seven years.
“The name of my company is formed from my love of money as well as my enthusiasm for art.” If you remove the T, Zart is a combination of ZAR (South African Rand). However, if you take out the Z, it becomes (Art) — thus it’s a combination of South African Rand and Art, which is how the name came about.
Basetsana Sikhakhane, Skitsbysphe, Beast, and Madanon are among the well-known influencers, youtubers, and artists who wear his brand.
Smiso Msimang, Cebo Dollar Sibiya, Sphesihle Ngcobo, and Njabulo Maxova Mavundla are the four members of the Zart clothing business.
Msimang’s cousin, Smiso, is the operations manager, whom Zart says he trusts when it comes to making decisions about the business, and values his input.
Zart has since purchased a VW Polo, which he refers to as a ‘Sexy beamer.’
“I believe that the majority of people who start businesses are unaware of the importance of having funds while starting a brand. There are numerous things that need to be done in order for a business to thrive, and none of them can be done unless you have start-up capital to assist you sustain your business.”
“When starting a business, think about how to market the brand and the company as a whole. Marketing your business is highly important and not free — you must pay influencers to promote your brand, and you must also have items to give away for free to those individuals, so you cannot rely on revenues,” adds Zart.
The company has faced and overcome problems such as having to sell products online and not being able to deliver it to clients because to the lockdown. Msimang wants to open an internet store similar to Superbalist.
“I was the only clothing business selling throughout the lockdown, and despite the fact that I wasn’t allowed to deliver the items, I generated a lot of sales, demonstrating the value of having an online store like Superbalist.”
While ascribing his aptitude to simultaneously focusing on his business while also being a businessman, a family guy and a visionary, the imposing young businessman exudes a positive attitude and a strong drive to succeed in life.
Hardworking young man who is also involved in Siyakhulisa, a non-profit organization that provides food parcels and clothing to the Inanda Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) community at large.
Father to Sbani and Awande, a three-year-old son and a 19-month-old daughter, say he had to quit Damelin College while still in his last year of public administration because of his larger business and money-making plans.
Msimang lost his mother when he was young, but he asserts her lessons still guide him today. He credits his father, Thobani Msimang, a successful businessman, with motivating him to do more, get up in the morning, and achieve more.
Msimang has invented an alter ego (Inkosi Yasendle — iBhubesi) who is now associated with his clothing line, notably the new lingo that is catching on.
“My cousin constantly told me as a kid that I needed to rule the streets of Durban and turn it into my jungle. To be where I am today, I wanted to be as strong and powerful as a lion, which is why I go by the name Inkosi Yasendle.”
Zart Lingo/Language
Zart language, which was founded in 2017, has lately gained Msimang 11 thousand Instagram followers after a trending video aired on social media in which the first concept discusses ‘Ngidl’ngeBribe.’
Msimang explains how this lingo came to be:
“We were just chillin’ in the office with the gang on the 4th floor at 320, playing about with the same term, so I’d say’Ngidl’ iRight, Ngidl’iRecord, Ngidl’iType’, and the next day I came back and continued repeating the phrases.”
“It’s fun to plan something and watch it take off, especially when you see celebrities, such as musicians and influencers, coining the jargon in their live streams on social media. It has become a self-sustaining success.”
“Most people think it’s a humorous lingo since they enjoy it so much and are continually laughing.” I tried to turn it around by providing individuals advice by using the terminology. Even when I’m live on Instagram, people come up to me and ask for ‘iStraight advice.”
Msimang and his colleagues are getting ready to launch Bribe Gangular, a YouTube channel that will feature artists, musicians, and other youtubers conversing utilizing the Zart dialect. ‘i-Hawks mawudl’icheat,’ ‘iGolf 7 rev dudes,’ ‘i-Res hungry guys,’ and ‘i-Res little boys vs Blessers’ will be some of the content and subjects.
