Sonwabile ndamase biography of martin

sonwabile ndamase biography of martin

Behind The Name | Sonwabile Ndamase | 30 November 2023

    Prince Sonwabile Ndamase, a royal son of the Mpondo Kingdom founded the Madiba shirts in The Madiba shirts as they are commonly known have become a symbol of South African heritage, history and fashion.

The man who designed the Mandela Shirt

By MACHUA KOINANGE

 JOHANNESBURG: Sonwabile Ndamase is a man of many talents. His mother wanted him to be lawyer, but he later found his passion – fashion design – a passion he followed to the world stage as the creator of the famous Madiba Shirts.

What’s more, his relationship with the Mandela family goes way back three decades to the extent that he has managed to perfectly imitate Mandela the man.

On any day, he can do a very good impersonation of Nelson Mandela.

But the trip to the top has not been easy for the Johannesburg based millionaire who has built a successful design house – Vukani Fashions – and launched an annual fashion show to encourage young designers now in its 20th year. 

He has been to Kenya before as a judge in the annual Smirnoff Fashion Awards. He also runs Bernina, a successful mentoring programme for aspiring South African designers.

The journey to the pinnacle

Sonwabile Ndamase - Executive President - SAFDA-South African ...

'I dressed one generation to another': Madiba shirts designer ...

  • Sonwabile Ndamase will return to his roots to receive the inaugural Eastern Cape Fashion Week Cape Aloe Legacy Award.

    • Fitting honour for designer behind ‘Madiba shirt’ - PressReader

  • Prince Sonwabile Ndamase, the man behind the Madiba shirts is heading for the big apple, New York to showcase his latest fashion and masterclasses in September 2024.

    • WATCH | Meet the man behind the Madiba shirt - SowetanLIVE

      Experience: SAFDA-South African Fashion Designers Agency/Vukani Fashion.
    Sonwabile Ndamase will make you remember Madiba as boldly as ever as the designer behind the iconic shirts.
    Sonwabile Ndamase, the designer of the original Madiba shirt, admits that he was never put off by the lack of representatives of African fashion in the mainstream.
    Sonwabile Ndamase.

    Madiba shirt designer inspires youth - Brand South Africa

      PressReader.

    The legend behind the Madiba shirts: an Ambassador of South ...

  • Sonwabile Ndamase.

    • Madiba Shirt designer to make waves oorkant | Daily Sun - SNL24

  • He designed one of SA’s most famous shirts, worn by the father of the nation, and at the weekend Sonwabile Ndamase was fittingly honoured for his contributi­on to fashion.

    • In South Africa, Madiba shirts keep Mandela’s legacy alive

      Sonwabile Ndamase, the designer of the original Madiba shirt, admits that he was never put off by the lack of representatives of African fashion in the mainstream.