Gallery: izikhothanes - Love of buck$ & bling

‘We are the last izikhothanes (high-flyers) standing. There are no others,” Cybert Makola, fondly known as “Chiz Kalakala”, proudly announces as he introduces me to his crew. He is part of the renowned Soweto group famously known for their taste for designer clothes – they call themselves The Material Boys.

They are on their way to celebrate the birthday of one of their members – Zixinga “Don Moola” Zwide – at the J&B Lounge in Turffontein, south of Johannesburg.

The izikhothane culture is one of the most sensational in South Africa; izikhothanes are known for showing off their designer clothes and have been seen in the media burning money. A typical Italian shirt costing about R8 000 is small change for them. Their shoes will set you back a cool R5 000. They take pride in importing their trendsetting “swag” that gets delivered right to their doorstep.

Tshepo “Don Dada” Pitso, the co-founder of the group, says he has been in love with fashion since his high school days. He dismisses criticism about burning money and being wasteful, blaming the media for portraying them in a bad light.

“We are just in love with designer wear and have expensive tastes,” says Pitso.

“Asisakhothi manje siyalicker [indicating how they have graduated into a high level of sophistication],” says Zwide.

He brags as Makola pours a bottle of cognac to wash his hands – and dries them with a R100 note, as a celebratory gesture. He is, after all, celebrating his 26th birthday.

The crew is highly in demand at designer parties.

A rubbish collector passes as the self-titled Material Boys, dressed in their designer finery, look on. They pride themselves on the fact that their clothing is imported and sometimes delivered right to their doorstep.

Tshepo ‘Don Dada’ Pitso receives an SMS on his expensive cellphone (left) and shows off his Jesus bling (right)

The Life of Riley The Material Boys throw a celebratory night out for their crew member ‘Don Moola’ for his 26th birthday at the J&B Lounge in Rosettenville in Turffontein, Johannesburg. Bottles of expensive Remy Martin and Hennessy cognac were the chosen drinks for the night

Fancy footwear: The izikhothanes show off their expensive tastes. A pair of Arbiter shoes costs about R5 000, and the Rossimoda range is priced between R3 000 and R5 000

The Material Boys enjoy the good life, playing pool and quaffing drinks at the J&B Lounge

all that glitters Tshepo “Don Dada” Pitso shows off his Jesus bling

Cybert Makola also known as "Chiz Kalakala" of The Material Boys shows off his expensive apparel, and they've explained that wearing unsimilar shoes is nothing more than just showing off that they possess a lot of these designer shoes. PHOTO: LEON SADIKI PHOTO:

Kevin "Sisto"Gcina fromVanderbaylepark of The Material Boys shows off his expensive apparel. PHOTO: LEON SADIKI PHOTO:

big spender Zixinga ‘Don Moola’ Zwide is the resident DJ at J&B Lounge

Cybert Makola, also known as ‘Chiz Kalakala’, of The Material Boys, shows off his expensive apparel. His crew explains that wearing non-matching shoes is their way of showing off the abundant designer footwear they possess

The Material Boys throw a birthday bash for a crew member. The J&B Lounge in Turffontein. Bottles of Remy Martin and Hennessy cognac are the drinks of choice.