Durban designers Sandile ‘Duke’ Mngadi, the creative director and owner of DUKE ‘Clothe Your Soul’ and Sicelo Dlezi, the founder of YATSAR Clothing, showcased their designs at the 2024 MTC Windhoek Fashion Week yesterday, Thursday November 7.
The designers are supported by eThekwini Municipality, who provided them with access to markets to ensure their business sustainability.
This year, the municipality funded Mr Mngadi and Ms Dlezi to participate in the 2024 MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, in Namibia.
Mr Mngadi and Ms Dlezi are both success stories of the City’s Fashion Development Programme which mentors, upskills, and provides several growth initiatives to local, emerging designers.
“I’m honoured and excited to represent Durban and the Municipality’s Fashion Development Programme at the 2024 MTC Windhoek Fashion Week. This is a chance to further position my brand and promote Durban’s growing fashion industry. It is also inspiring for young, emerging designers from disadvantaged communities to see that anything is possible. We are deeply grateful to the municipality for these opportunities,” Mr Mngadi said.
Ms Dlezi also shared her enthusiasm for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, saying she was looking forward to showing off her designers on an international platform.
“I look forward to showcasing my designs, networking with buyers, retailers, and media from Namibia, and exploring new international markets for my brand. I’m incredibly thankful to the municipality for recognising my work and continuously providing growth opportunities,” she said.
The MTC Windhoek Fashion Week is part of a strategic partnership between the eThekwini Municipality and the event organisers to elevate Durban’s fashion industry and establish the city as a prominent fashion hub in Africa, said chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli.
“I cannot emphasise the significance of this partnership. This collaboration offers Durban designers a chance to connect with new markets, expand their networks, and boost the city’s global fashion footprint,” said Mr Ntuli.
As part of the partnership, eThekwini Municipality and Windhoek signed a memorandum of agreement in September 2024, making Windhoek an official sister city of Durban. This collaboration includes initiatives such as a fashion designer exchange programme, a model’s exchange, and stakeholder engagement – which will help build lasting ties between the two cities, said Mr Ntuli.
“eThekwini Municipality are committed to providing designers with platforms to showcase their talent and connect with international markets. We’re excited for Mngadi and Dlezi to represent Durban’s creative spirit on this prestigious stage and wish them all the best,” said Mr Ntuli.
