The woman behind Froggie Shoes: Sarah Geyde on building a KZN heritage brand

From leaving school at 16 to becoming the co-founder of one of KZN’s best-known shoe brands, Sarah Geyde’s journey is anything but ordinary.

This Heritage Month, Carol Ofori sat down with Sarah to talk about Froggie Shoes, the brand she built alongside her late husband, Michael, and how it has continued to evolve through the years.

Froggie’s story began with a shoe that was jokingly described as looking like a “flat frog” - and the name stuck. What started small eventually grew into a proudly local manufacturing business producing hundreds of shoes a day.

Today, Froggie operates with a strong focus on local manufacturing, sustainability, comfort and longevity.

The company employs more than 115 people, uses solar power and borehole water, and manufactures its leather shoes locally.

For Sarah, Froggie is also deeply personal. After Michael passed away in 2019, she continued the journey alongside her stepson Warren, combining her creative vision with his technical and financial expertise.

And the brand isn’t standing still. Froggie has moved beyond its classic styles into more fashion-forward footwear, while also introducing barefoot shoes for children, women and men.

Sarah’s advice for anyone navigating their own challenges?

Focus on what you have in your hands today, give it your absolute all, and believe in yourself.

Listen to Carol Ofori’s full conversation with Sarah Geyde and discover the story behind a true KZN heritage brand.