Date: 2025-10-21 10:19:47

Durban Designers To Shine At Namibia Fashion Week

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

DURBAN DESIGNERS TO SHINE AT NAMIBIA FASHION WEEK

Two Durban fashion designers will showcase their work at the upcoming MTC Windhoek Fashion Week in Namibia, as part of an ongoing initiative by eThekwini Municipality to promote local talent internationally.

Mzwandile Mathonsi, the creative force behind ladieswear brand ZWANDYY and Thami Ngubeni founder of Monarch Detailer, will represent Durban at the fashion showcase taking place from 5 to 8 November at Maerua Mall in Windhoek—Namibia’s largest fashion event.

This fashion showcase attracts designers from across the African continent.

Both designers were recently honoured at the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Recognition Awards, where Mathonsi was named Durban Designer of the Year and Ngubane took home the Best Menswear Collection Award. 

Their participation is a result of a growing partnership between eThekwini Municipality and Windhoek, formalised through a memorandum of agreement that positions Windhoek as an official sister city to Durban. 

This collaboration includes a fashion designer exchange programme and strategic stakeholder engagements, aimed at positioning both cities as leading African fashion hubs.

Both Mathonsi and Ngubeni are graduates of the DFF Mentorship Programme, a key initiative under the eThekwini Municipality Fashion Development Programme. 

The programme has been instrumental in nurturing local talent, providing designers with skills, exposure, and access to market opportunities to succeed in the competitive fashion industry.

Chairperson of the City's Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli expressed pride at the designers’ achievements. 

“We are extremely proud to see two local designers, who have already seen their brands evolve in South Africa, take to the ramp in Windhoek. Their success highlights the impact of the Municipality’s support in nurturing talent and fostering a thriving fashion industry.”

Councillor Ntuli added that the Municipality has a history of facilitating international exposure for local designers. 

Through the Fashion Development Programme, designers have showcased their work in countries including the United Kingdom, France, India, and several African nations, establishing new clientele and expanding their reach. 

This ongoing support underlines the Municipality's commitment to promoting Durban's fashion industry on the global stage.

As Mathonsi and Ngubeni prepare for their international debut, their journey highlights the transformative power of mentorship and Municipal support in propelling local talent onto the world stage.

Ngubeni said: “I am already hard at work developing a collection for MTC Windhoek Fashion Week. I am both happy and nervous to represent Durban. I am thankful to the Municipality for providing me with such opportunities.”

Mathonsi said the exposure will contribute immensely towards growing his brand. 

“As a designer, my wish has always been to expand reach and clientele beyond my hometown.”

For more information, visit www.whkfashionweek.com

ENDS  

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.