Sonwabile Ndamase, pioneering designer of the world-famous Madiba shirt, is helping rural youngsters set up their own design businesses.
The Eastern Cape-born fashion designer will be helping five fashion design cooperatives in Ntabankulu, one of the poorest areas in the country. The co-ops are made up of young people and the disabled.
“This is one of my initiatives to plough back to where I come from, Mpondoland, and the Eastern Cape. I want to enhance their skills,” he told the Saturday Dispatch.
Chief Jongilanga Sigcau, who heads up the Lwandle’olubomvu Traditional Council will be assisted by Ntabankulu Municipality to identify the cooperatives
“I will assist them in whatever they do in fashion, including design and craft disciplines. We will train, promote and market them.
“We hope to produce one of the world’s best fashion designers from Ntabankulu,” said Ndamase.
He said the 12-month programme will be accredited by the fibre processing and manufacturing Seta.
“I will also promote and mentor the cooperatives.”
Ndamase, recently received a Ntsikayezwe lifetime award during the Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival held at Lwandl’olubomvu Great Place at Matshona Village, Ntabankulu.
The festival commemorates Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, the ANC struggle activist and MPL who died in a car accident in Mount Frere on June 22 1996. The Ndamases and Sigcaus are of the Faku royal clan who are rulers of the AmaMpondo.
“I have been honoured internationally, but never at home. I have mentored people internationally, but never mentored local people,” he said.
Ndamase, executive president of the SA Fashion Designers’ Association, CEO and chief designer of Vukani Fashion and owner of Vukani Range Creations, said the talent of rural youth had to be promoted. He will be channeling his mentoring work through his academy, the SA Fashion Designers’ Agency
Ndamase who was born at Mthombe village in Libode, said: “Having myself struggled in life, I do not wish others to suffer. I want to help them live a better life.”
He celebrated his 55th birthday by awarding bursaries worth R250000 to five Walter Sisulu University fashion design students.
“Aspiration on the fashion front is about unearthing new talent which lies undiscovered in our country.
“It is pivotal that African and so-called traditional styles and fashion are passed on. Some of these techniques are dying, and that is dangerous. Fashion is like oral tradition: it must be brought alive through inspired design so that fashion lives on for future generations,” he said.
Ndamase, who has been a fashion designer since 1985 and dressed presidents Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma, and many cabinet ministers, credited his mother, Buyiswa Ndamase, for his success.
“My mom was a single parent who raised her five children with pride. She was a dressmaker and waitress,” said Ndamase.
Chief Sigcau and Ntabankulu mayor Vusi Mgoduka were delighted with Ndamase’s project. “We want people like Ndamase, who remember where they come from. If we can have many of them, this country will be better off,” said chief Sigcau
Madiba shirt designer’s talent quest
The Eastern Cape-born fashion designer will be helping five fashion design cooperatives in Ntabankulu, one of the poorest areas in the country. The co-ops are made up of young people and the disabled.
“This is one of my initiatives to plough back to where I come from, Mpondoland, and the Eastern Cape. I want to enhance their skills,” he told the Saturday Dispatch.
Chief Jongilanga Sigcau, who heads up the Lwandle’olubomvu Traditional Council will be assisted by Ntabankulu Municipality to identify the cooperatives
“I will assist them in whatever they do in fashion, including design and craft disciplines. We will train, promote and market them.
“We hope to produce one of the world’s best fashion designers from Ntabankulu,” said Ndamase.
He said the 12-month programme will be accredited by the fibre processing and manufacturing Seta.
“I will also promote and mentor the cooperatives.”
Ndamase, recently received a Ntsikayezwe lifetime award during the Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival held at Lwandl’olubomvu Great Place at Matshona Village, Ntabankulu.
The festival commemorates Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, the ANC struggle activist and MPL who died in a car accident in Mount Frere on June 22 1996. The Ndamases and Sigcaus are of the Faku royal clan who are rulers of the AmaMpondo.
“I have been honoured internationally, but never at home. I have mentored people internationally, but never mentored local people,” he said.
Ndamase, executive president of the SA Fashion Designers’ Association, CEO and chief designer of Vukani Fashion and owner of Vukani Range Creations, said the talent of rural youth had to be promoted. He will be channeling his mentoring work through his academy, the SA Fashion Designers’ Agency
Ndamase who was born at Mthombe village in Libode, said: “Having myself struggled in life, I do not wish others to suffer. I want to help them live a better life.”
He celebrated his 55th birthday by awarding bursaries worth R250000 to five Walter Sisulu University fashion design students.
“Aspiration on the fashion front is about unearthing new talent which lies undiscovered in our country.
“It is pivotal that African and so-called traditional styles and fashion are passed on. Some of these techniques are dying, and that is dangerous. Fashion is like oral tradition: it must be brought alive through inspired design so that fashion lives on for future generations,” he said.
Ndamase, who has been a fashion designer since 1985 and dressed presidents Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma, and many cabinet ministers, credited his mother, Buyiswa Ndamase, for his success.
“My mom was a single parent who raised her five children with pride. She was a dressmaker and waitress,” said Ndamase.
Chief Sigcau and Ntabankulu mayor Vusi Mgoduka were delighted with Ndamase’s project. “We want people like Ndamase, who remember where they come from. If we can have many of them, this country will be better off,” said chief Sigcau
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos