Libra By Lemok, the first smartphone brand by a township-based company, was first launched in December 2019.
Their launch model, the S8, was developed in partnership with a Chinese company, however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Lebogang Mokubela (the entrepreneur behind the brand) was forced to review the business model.
“When lockdown restrictions were first implemented and borders were closed, we were stuck. We could not get new stock into the country. We then had to evaluate the business and look at manufacturing the phones in South Africa.” Mokubela said.
Libra 5 Pro Box 1
Although there were plans to eventually bring manufacturing into the country, they were a long way off. Due to COVID-19, those plans seem like the only viable option going forward.
Through the assistance of the Gauteng Growth & Development Agency (GGDA), Mokubela has engaged a manufacturing company based in Gauteng as a contract manufacturer for the upcoming Libra 5 Pro model.
Libra 5 Pro Concept – Celebrate Africa Range
“Because the Libra 5 Pro will be our first official model we make in South Africa, we want it to be special. Coinciding with our “An African Story” brand narrative, we dedicate the Libra 5 Pro model to celebrating African vibrance.“ said, Mokubela.
