The History of Gumboot Dancing in South Africa

The story of gumboot dancing in South Africa is a story of expression, communication, and solidarity. Gumboot dancing began in the mines, where mineworkers used their gumboots to create a code so that they could communicate with each other while they worked. From these roots, it evolved into a rich and colourful tradition. Mineworkers would use gumboot dancing as an opportunity to dress up and express themselves. It’s more than just a dance, it’s a means of celebration and a complex language with uniquely African roots.

Neptun Boot’s Mission

At Neptun Boot, the rich history of gumboot dancing in South Africa has inspired our mission to provide high-quality footwear protection to the people of this country, continent, and beyond.

We’ve dedicated our efforts since our inception in 1977 to creating innovative and high-quality footwear that protects not only miners, but also the agriculture, medical, food processing industries and beyond. Our range of superior quality PVC gumboots are manufactured from locally produced PVC compounds. With years of expertise in advantaged technology, we’re committed to delivering innovations with all of our products.

Inspiration and Innovation

At Neptun Boot, we’re inspired by the rhythm of Africa to keep her people safe, which means we’re always pushing ourselves to set a new standard in safety footwear. We want to create products that are fit for their purpose, using innovation and our expertise to create superior protective features and products. We have a number of patents in place including our metatarsal, and the Stimela XP with its metal-free integrated metatarsal protection.

In 2007, we won the prestigious DISA Award (Design Institute South Africa) in 2007 for the Shosholoza gumboot in the Mining and Industrial Category – a testament to our hard work and dedication. The Shosholoza gumboot was specifically engineered for the mining industry to best serve miners and ensure they are well-protected. Winning the DISA Award has set the Shosholoza gumboot apart from the rest and has stood strong on the mines that have chosen to use superior products.

Our hope is that South Africans would feel proud to know that a South African brand has made its way across the world – protecting workers with footwear products that are inspired by Africa.