UNSTOPPABLE

A SON OF THE NORTHERN CAPE WINNING THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE IN GLOBAL FASHION: THE RISE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FASHION DESIGNER THEBE MAGUGU SOUNDS LIKE THE PLOT OF THE FEEL-GOOD MOVIE OF THE DECADE. THROUGH HIS OWN WORDS, WE TAKE A LOOK AT HIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.

- Nkosiyati Khumalo

ON DESTINY

With me, I feel like I was always destined to do what I do. I’m not equipped to do anything else, literally. I can only do fashion; if I can’t, it’s a wrap for me. I remember when I enrolled in crèche or grade 1, we were told to sketch the first thing that came to mind. Mine was the only fashion sketch in the class. From that point on, my mom could tell that this was a serious and growing interest that I had at a very young age. My earliest gift that she gave me, which I will cherish and remember forever, was this massive black sketchpad; she encouraged me to draw in it every day. That encouragement made me want to do it even more.

ON EDUCATION