[imagesource: Dave Southwood]

The year is 2013. Zaid Osman, inspired by his childhood in the United States, co-launches Sneaker Exchange. The event is small but successful. It brings together the scattered community of sneaker lovers in South Africa and starts a movement.

From a small coffee shop in Woodstock, it morphs into a festival with performances from SA’s biggest and brightest, attracting thousands of attendees and partnerships with global brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma and loads more.

Almost a decade has passed since that first event, and Grade Africa is the next step for the Cape Town-born creator, whose dream is to carve a place for Africa in the world’s streetwear culture.

His vision is to set an African standard and create representation for the spirit and the excellence of the continent, so that we can see something in the international arena and feel like we’re a part of it.

In four short years, the brand, which Osman sees as more of a platform to give rise to other careers like models, stylists and designers, has managed to bag some amazing collaborations across multiple industries like childhood favourites Space Jam and Powerpuff
Girls, the late event extraordinaire Riky Rick’s Cotton Fest, legendary American hip-hop clothing line FUBU, and iconic local shoe brand Grasshopper, not to mention the list of features in local and international publications.

Last year, the young entrepreneur made the biggest move of his career, opening a flagship store at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg.

This year, for the first time ever, Grade Africa is partnering up with another organisation that seeks to change the African landscape, UCT Online High School.

The establishments have come together to host the best Youth Day celebration this country has ever seen!

This event will bring the learners of the online school and the people of Cape Town together at the V&A Waterfront’s Battery Park on June 16 between 12 – 4 pm for a day of fun activities, a pop-up barbershop and beauty bar, and an important chat with local celebs about The Importance of Education in the country.

On top of an exciting panel, there will also be great performances from local superstars YoungstaCPT, Dee Koala, Priddy Prince and Uncle Vinny, with Kieno Kammies as MC and Kyeezi on the decks.

The partnership will be releasing its first-of-its-kind limited-edition UCT Online High School x Grade Africa collection of long-sleeve tees, hoodies, beanies and tote bags.

On joining forces with an educational offering, Osman and his company are really looking forward to it as they “are all about youth empowerment and providing inspiration to the next generation”, he feels that “education and learning come in so many different ways, so let’s find new ways to get education to the kids. Let’s make it attainable and fun to be a learner – so this collaboration just makes sense.”

His hopes for the youth of South Africa and the rest of the continent are first, for a decrease in unemployment and secondly, for them to hold on to their dreams and find a way to make them a reality.

Come and experience the beginning of something incredible with UCT Online High School and Grade Africa this Youth Day. Everybody’s welcome!

RSVP here and be part of this historic moment.

Please note: This is an event open to the public and parental/guardian supervision is advised.