The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Bata Ngoma, those black ankle-length cut shoes, were common with rural women, but at the height of the breakdance craze in Kenya, they were turned into hot cake shoes for dancing.
They were turned into unisex buys by urbanites seeking malleable wear for executing improbable moves on tiptoes.
The funny thing about Bata Ngoma was how they were shoe-shined with Kiwi mpaka they glowed like black silkworms in the dark.
To stand out, a dancer wore white socks, which contrasted well with the shoes black exterior.
To make the socks standout, men wore three-quarter trousers that were several inches shy of the ankles.
They made one resemble Michael Jackson and his achuti trousers and breakdance was not complete without sleeveless windbreaker half-coats.
The end of the breakdance craze that spawned movies such as Electric Boogaloo, Beat Street and Breakin’ also saw the end of Bata Ngomas as shoes for urban dance fashion.
