{"id":48751,"date":"2026-01-30T14:07:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=48751"},"modified":"2026-01-30T14:07:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:07:46","slug":"the-south-african-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-with-their-love-of-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/01\/30\/the-south-african-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-with-their-love-of-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"The South African brothers who founded a clothing empire from their love of adventure \u2013 Newsday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>With over 100 store locations across South Africa, Senqu has become a beloved and well-known clothing outlet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the prolific clothing stores South Africans know today only began popping up over the last decade, Senqu has existed for much longer than its popular stores.<\/p>\n<p>The brand began through the love of adventure that was shared by two brothers: Tim and Peter Holden.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While Senqu now stocks mostly leisure wear, when it was established, it was a very different business. The Holden brothers had a keen interest in fly fishing when they started the business in 1985.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For its first few years, Senqu sold fly fishing flies made by local Basotho women.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The name, Senqu, was taken from one of the world\u2019s mightiest rivers in the majestic Maluti Mountains, which flows across the subcontinent, and is the headwater of the Orange River.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Senqu River in Lesetho was a fishing paradise and a favourite among the brothers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Following its initial success, the business expanded to selling a range of specialised river wear, adding the brand\u2019s now-famous clothing dimension.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The fly-fishing apparel brand continued to go from strength to strength, and throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Senqu began selling clothing through a wholesale model.<\/p>\n<p>Senqu distributed the brand through a limited range carried by small independent retailers and a few national chains.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To appeal to a wider commercial base, the company shifted toward a less specialised focus and looked in 2005, selling adventure and leisure apparel. It followed this with a move away from the wholesale model.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From passion project to national franchise<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1-20-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1-20-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1-20-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Senqu team on a fishing trip in 2011. Photo: Senqu\/Facebook.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe were looking for more independence from our wholesale model,\u201d explained Mark Ely, long-time Deputy Managing Director for Senqu.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe brand had a few outlet stores at this point for clearing end-of-range products,\u201d he explained. While it was not Senqu\u2019s core business, the response from customers to these stores was extremely positive.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The company then made the decision to close the wholesale division and focus only on direct retail following this.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe drive behind Senqu has always been to offer a uniquely South African product range that gives our customers excellent value,\u201d said Ely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis calling has remained throughout the brand\u2019s evolution,\u201d he explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While Senqu no longer only sells flies for fly fishing made by Besotho women, it does ensure that the majority of its products are manufactured locally.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>From 2005 to 2015, Senqu was cautious in its expansion and made sure to take its time in opening new stores.<\/p>\n<p>However, in the next era of its journey, the company ramped up its expansion, growing to 70 stores by 2023. By January 2026, the company had 110 Senqu stores.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the business celebrated the opening of its 100th store, but took the opportunity to warn the country that the business is \u201cjust getting started.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, Ely said that Senqu had grown to achieve double-digit annual growth and was on track to continue.<\/p>\n<p>He said that the brand\u2019s success has hinged on staying close to its customers and analysing its products and changing direction based on consumer preferences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe heart of our offering is excellent value for money without compromising on quality, and in tough economic times, this appeals to a growing market segment,\u201d Ely said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More photos from Senqu:<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782049_277_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782049_277_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2-18-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2-18-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2-18-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782052_692_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782052_692_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-18-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-18-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-18-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782053_391_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782053_391_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-16-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-16-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-16-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782056_684_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782056_684_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-14-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-14-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-14-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782058_629_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782058_629_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-13-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-13-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-13-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782061_782_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769782061_782_The-South-African-brothers-who-founded-a-clothing-empire-from.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-11-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-11-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-11-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"text-center border p-3 bg-light mt-4 rounded\">You have read 1 out of 5 free articles. Log in or register for unlimited access.<\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- Share Data Setup for JavaScript --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#South #African #brothers #founded #clothing #empire #love #adventure #Newsday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With over 100 store locations across South Africa, Senqu has become a beloved and well-known clothing outlet.\u00a0 While the prolific&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48751"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48753,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48751\/revisions\/48753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}