Cape Town Entrepreneur Bets on Homegrown Sportswear Brand YSport

By Chidi Eze | Staff Writer, Entrepreneurs, Forbes.ng

South African entrepreneur Yaasir Jacobs is seeking to grow YSport, a Cape Town-based sportswear manufacturer he started after struggling to find suppliers able to produce sports kits to his specifications. His experience reflects the challenges faced by African manufacturers trying to build local brands in markets dominated by established international names.

In an October report, Forbes Africa’s Nick Said profiled Jacobs, who began by designing team kits and outsourcing production before deciding to manufacture products himself. The business has had to navigate a difficult economic environment while pursuing opportunities in sports apparel.

Building a local manufacturing business

Producing apparel locally can give a brand more control over design, quality and lead times. It also requires investment in equipment, materials, skilled labour and inventory. For a smaller company, maintaining consistent production while keeping prices competitive can be a major operational challenge.

Sportswear brands also depend on relationships with clubs, schools, athletes and distributors. Repeat orders and dependable fulfilment can be as important as visibility, particularly when competing with international brands that have larger marketing budgets and established supply chains.

Related video

No video is embedded because a directly relevant, verified video featuring YSport or founder Yaasir Jacobs has not been confirmed.

Original reporting: Nick Said, Forbes Africa, “The Cape Town Entrepreneur Betting That A Homegrown Sports Brand Can Take On The Giants,” October 8, 2026. Read the original report.

Image note: Images are illustrative, not verified photographs of YSport products or facilities.