Danny Govender repairing shoes in his workshop.
Image: Supplied
At first glance, Danny Govender’s small shoe repair workshop in Copesville may seem like any other local business. But the 44-year-old cobbler, affectionately known as “Gatsheni”, has become much more than a shoe repairer to the people of Pietermaritzburg.
A pastor, isiZulu teacher and cultural ambassador, Govender has earned respect across communities for breaking stereotypes and building cultural bridges through his work and passion for people.
Known on social media as “Gatsheni the shoe repairer,” Govender has built a loyal following on TikTok, where customers from across South Africa and even neighbouring countries seek out his craftsmanship.
He said his journey into shoe repairing began during his school years.
“My shoe repairing journey started when we had to move from Thornville Primary School to Esther Payne Smith Secondary School and it was arranged that I stay with my aunt in Northdale,” he said.
“I quickly made a friend, Ashley Chetty, in school and he lived in the CBD. He worked part-time and I also wanted to work to earn some money.”
Govender said his friend encouraged him to join him at a shoe repair shop in the city centre.
“I was happy when I got the job. I was 15 years old and working part-time. We worked every holiday and weekend. My boss saw that I could speak isiZulu and said I should take the opportunity to work more with the shoes and customers.”
He said he started with basic cleaning before quickly learning the trade.
“From then I started helping more with the shoes, starting off with cleaning shoes and then quickly I became an assistant and started repairing shoes. I worked there part-time from 1996 until 2000 when I became a full-time employee.”
After decades in the industry, Govender decided to take a leap of faith and start his own business in 2024.
“I left the job in 2024 to venture into my own shoe repairing business since people knew me as Gatsheni from TikTok. I started getting work from all over South Africa. People were sending shoes from everywhere, even from Zimbabwe and Lesotho.”
Danny Govender picking up his couriered packages from various stores. The shoes are sent to him from around the country and neighbouring countries.
Image: Supplied
He said truck drivers travelling long distances also became regular customers.
“They used to drop off their shoes and pick them up when they were going back home.”
Govender launched the business from his home workshop in Copesville and has since expanded operations.
“I started the workshop in my home and we now have two workers,” he said.
The skilled cobbler offers a wide range of services, from sole replacements to colour restoration and intricate stitching repairs.
“We do all shoe repairs from men’s to women’s shoes. The difficult part in starting a business in the beginning was having no money. I saved all the deposits from customers to buy supplies. The customers were supportive and did not mind at all that some jobs took longer.
“I was really blessed. There are many repairs that I do. I do sticker soles to protect the original soles, I put new heels, I do shoe stretching, I even do technical repairs with the uppers. I do re-stitching and we even do colour restoration.”
According to Govender, sole protection and colour restoration remain the most requested services.
He said trust had become one of his business's biggest foundations.
“I have a variety of customers and resources supporting me. They trust me even with expensive shoes. They met me as Gatsheni on TikTok and liked my work.”
He added that many customers met with him after disappointing experiences elsewhere.
“They often feel the shoes were messed up by somebody else and trust me to fix it properly. I love being a problem solver.”
For Govender, shoe repairing is more than just a profession. It is a passion.
“I find a lot of people working with shoes. It is part of who I am and repairing shoes makes me happy,” he said.
For more information, contact Govender on 072 344 659.