Soweto based wearable tech company Khoi Tech has opened its first experiential retail store in partnership with Telkom, highlighting the rise of locally produced technology.
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Soweto founded wearable technology company Khoi Tech has launched its first experiential retail store in partnership with Telkom, marking a significant milestone for locally produced consumer technology and South African entrepreneurship.
The new store, located at The Hub at Telkom’s headquarters in Centurion, will provide customers with an immersive and hands on experience of Khoi Tech’s range of locally manufactured wearable technology devices.
The experiential retail model is designed to deepen consumer engagement by allowing visitors to interact directly with products, explore their functionality and better understand the innovation behind locally developed technology.
Khoi Tech’s move into physical retail also reflects growing demand for South African made products and highlights the importance of partnerships and buy local initiatives in helping small businesses scale and access broader markets.
Proudly South African Chief Executive Officer Eustace Mashimbye said the company’s growth story demonstrates the strength of local innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The exponential growth of Khoi Tech from the proverbial garage to the world stage reaffirms the abundance of innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa,” said Mashimbye.
He said the company’s expansion also illustrates how supporting micro, small and medium enterprises can unlock broader economic opportunities.
“It showcases how support for MSMEs can unlock their growth and enable them to blaze a trail both locally and globally in an industry that has, until now, been dominated by multinational conglomerates,” he said.
Mashimbye added that retaining intellectual property and manufacturing capability locally creates positive ripple effects across the South African economy.
“The retention of the company’s IP and the local content behind the production of their merchandise ensures that the growth of Khoi Tech has a positive knock on effect on the local supply chain and promotes upskilling local talent and job creation in the manufacturing sector,” he said.
Thato Mangwegape described the launch as a key step in broadening the company’s reach beyond its traditional geographic market.
“We are confident that this is the first of many outlets that will expose the Khoi Tech brand to an expanded customer base and showcase the technical capability that South African innovators have to offer,” said Mangwegape.
“As a proudly South African company rooted in Soweto, this milestone represents not only our growth but also the strength of the local innovation ecosystem.”
Mangwegape also credited Proudly South African for helping elevate the brand and create new market opportunities.
“We are grateful for the enabling role that Proudly South African has played to date in leveraging its platforms to heighten Khoi Tech’s brand awareness and creating market access opportunities for us,” he said.
Gugu Mthembu, Telkom’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the partnership reflects the value of supporting local innovation and manufacturing.
“Khoi Tech’s success story demonstrates the power of buying local and investing in South African innovation,” said Mthembu.
She explained that the collaboration between the two companies aligns closely with Telkom’s brand positioning and broader economic goals.
“Telkom’s brand promise, Possible Begins Here, speaks to creating the conditions for growth, while Khoi’s promise, Enhance Your Life, reflects innovation that improves real world outcomes,” she said.
“Together, the partnership tells a compelling story: Telkom creates the conditions for possibility. Khoi turns that possibility into products and platforms that enhance lives.”
Mthembu added that the partnership also supports broader efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, stimulate economic growth and create jobs by encouraging businesses and consumers to support South African products.
Mashimbye said Khoi Tech’s journey from a Soweto startup to an expanding technology player highlights the potential of local businesses when supported by strategic partnerships and a supportive market environment.
The launch comes as South Africa’s technology sector continues to evolve, with growing emphasis on local innovation, manufacturing capability and entrepreneurial development in an increasingly competitive global market.
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