Durban duo deliver deadly designs at Windhoek Fashion Week
Durban’s Sandile ‘Duke’ Mngadi and Sicelo Dlezi, both delivered delicate and divine designs, showcasing the city’s fashion style during the 2024 MTC Windhoek Fashion Week.
The Fashion Week took place between 6 to 9 November at Maerua Mall, Windhoek, Namibia.
Following the conclusion of the show, Mngadi, the owner and Creative Director of “DUKE Clothe Your Soul,” said that he felt honoured to represent Durban.
“This was a chance to further position my brand and promote Durban’s growing fashion industry. It was also inspiring for young, emerging designers from disadvantaged communities to see that anything is possible. We are deeply grateful to eThekwini Municipality for these opportunities,” Mngadi said.
YATSAR Clothing founder Sicelo Dlezi, said she looked forward to showcasing her designs, networking with buyers, retailers, and media from Namibia, and exploring new international markets for his brand. Dlezi added, “I’m incredibly thankful to eThekwini Municipality for recognising my work and continuously providing growth opportunities.”
Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli emphasised the significance of this partnership. Ntuli said, “This collaboration offers Durban designers a chance to connect with new markets, expand their networks, and boost the City’s global fashion footprint.”
EThekwini Municipality shared that the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week was 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.
Additionally, the Municipality and Windhoek signed a memorandum of agreement in September 2024, where 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.
Both designers were success stories of the City’s Fashion Development Programme which mentors, upskills, and provides several growth initiatives to local, emerging designers.
