10 Jan 2018

Even at the steep cost of P549, Grasshopper is the most sought after footwear in different schools countrywide.

Learners whose parents find the prize tag beyond their budget can only drool in admiration.

In an interview Lentle Tanyala, a form one student at Moselewapula Junior Secondary School said the shoes were adored so much that noone wanted to be seen wearing school uniform without wearing Grasshopper.

“That is why you see most students wearing shorter uniforms to expose the shoes. It is all about being seen, attracting attention and belonging to that crowd that own the shoes,’ said Lentle.

She said other students wanted the shoe because of peer pressure as they did not want to be isolated or differentiated from those having them.

The downside to it, she said was that Grasshopper is so ‘worshipped’ and admired that sometimes students even failed to listen to their teachers in class especially when one was thinking of them.

Another student, Letso Bogosing said they wore Grasshopper because they were comfortable and offered lightweight, flexible footwear from a premium line of casual comfort product in fashionable and sophisticated silhouettes.

“Grasshopper provides style and comfort in equal measure. This fun and kicky shoe is flexible lightweight outsole. Fusing style and comfort, these shoe are perfect for all day wear,” she said.

“I just bought the shoes because they are leather and can sustain me for a long time. I do not feel anything different, but I know most of the people who have the shoes feel that they now belong in the sub-group with the distinct shoes compared to the normal ordinary school shoes and you will be surprised that in our class everyone owns the shoes,” said Letso.

He talks energetically while explaining that the shoe is given much respect and care by students.

“We will be in class and one student will be at the corner shining the shoes with a cloth just a few minutes before  break,” he said.

Ms Bagadzikanyi Rauwe, Moselewapula JSS head said they were aware of trending of Grasshopper in their school and they allowed the learners to wear the shoe.

She said 90 per cent of the students wore the shoe, but however regretted that they had received cases of students whose Grasshopper had been forcefully taken away from them by thieves in Phase Two location.

“Everyone views the shoe as their priced possession. I doubt that Grasshopper fashion in our school has anything to do with our academics. Most of our learners here  know that if you live by what you see then there is a problem. We live by what we have,” said Ms Rauwe.

She said allowing students  to put on expensive shoes did not bring indiscipline with over inflated egos and attitudes amongst the students.

She further said some students donated those shoes to others after finishing their form three so that other students did not feel out of place for not affording them. ENDS