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Fan helmets could go global after World Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-18 10:52
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 A worker checks makarapa fan helmets at a factory in Wyneburg May 14, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] |
ITALIAN HELMET
At one table an artist is carefully painting an Italian helmet, copying a picture on the wall of the team colours.
Baloyi sits in another room with his top assistant, Jacob Letebele. He designs the helmets and together with Letebele paints samples for the other workers to cut and decorate, sometimes copying photographs of top players.
"Our aim is to produce even beyond 2010. We are going to design for South African clubs, for the Africa Cup of Nations. This is our aim to show the world, we have our art, this is from South Africa," Lovemore said.
The Baloyis have been unable to strike any deal with FIFA to use the tightly protected World Cup logo.
"We have to be careful about that, we could be sued. As you can see, this project is from the squatter camp. It is not from the suburbs. We are trying to make ourselves famous with the makarapa," Lovemore said.
Baloyi's success from humble beginnings has enabled him to send his daughter Calphina, 21, to art school and buy a better house for his family in Limpopo province.
However, Lovemore complains that other firms are trying to steal designs from the factory, by buying samples and producing them elsewhere, even using Alfred Baloyi's image.
"They are stabbing us in the back. That is counterfeit so for us this is a challenge. In future we are going to stop them," Lovemore said, although no legal action seems to be planned.
"There is only one original makarapa in South Africa. The founder of the makarapa is Alfred "Magistrate" Baloyi," Lovemore says with pride.
