Ethiopian cobbler creating African Nike with tyres, fabricEthiopian shoemaker Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu sees her eco-friendly "SoleRebels" brand of footwear, made of recycled tyres and traditional woven fabric, as Africa’s answer to Nike.
In her workshop in Addis Ababa’s Zenabework neighbourhood, a constant patter and the stench of glue fill the air as 40 cobblers hammer, trim tyres and stitch fabric to make the zero carbon emission footwear.
Launched in 2005, the SoleRebels brand features trainers, sandals and other trendy open shoes which are sold in the United States and Europe. It also provides livelihoods to at least 75 suppliers.
"For a long time, used tyres have been used here to make traditional sandals, so I decided to take the idea and develop it in Ethiopian traditional factories using organic cotton and local leather," the 30 year-old entrepreneur said.
The brand gets its name from the type of footwear favoured by Ethiopian rebel fighters in the country’s recent troubled past...read more
In her workshop in Addis Ababa’s Zenabework neighbourhood, a constant patter and the stench of glue fill the air as 40 cobblers hammer, trim tyres and stitch fabric to make the zero carbon emission footwear.
Launched in 2005, the SoleRebels brand features trainers, sandals and other trendy open shoes which are sold in the United States and Europe. It also provides livelihoods to at least 75 suppliers.
"For a long time, used tyres have been used here to make traditional sandals, so I decided to take the idea and develop it in Ethiopian traditional factories using organic cotton and local leather," the 30 year-old entrepreneur said.
The brand gets its name from the type of footwear favoured by Ethiopian rebel fighters in the country’s recent troubled past...read more
