The iconic original designer of Madiba shirts, and the globally recongnised fashion designer Sonwabile Ndamase is launching a learnership programme emerging young fashion designers.
Sonwabile is a South African designer and an executive president of the South African Fashion Designers Agency/Vukani Fashion Awards. He also recently showcased his new collection at the Paris Fashion week. The fashion designer says, besides fashion he also has a passion about the youth and skills development.
According to IOL news, Sonwabile has joined forces with SAFDA (South African Fashion Design Agency and Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta to create learnership and internship programmes to help the youth of Mzansi to develop and sharpen their skills.
“The programme intends to develop individuals in garment-making skills and ploughing back into the community,” Sonwabile said.
Sonwabile says that it is through training and development that we can ensure the future of fashion in South Africa.
SAFDA’s fashion-led entrepreneurship development programme provides skills development, and technical and marketing support to individuals and aspirant small businesses in the fashion, arts and craft industries.
SAFDA cover the training cost related to facilitation and training material.
For more information and to apply visit the SAFDA website. Applications will close on October 20th.
Sonwabile, who owns the label Vukani Range Creations, was invited to showcase his new collection, which also included women’s wear.
In a recent interview with Ayanda Nyathi on Newzroom Afrika, Sonwabile said any designer must understand the brand that they will present to the world stages because “you are not just selling fashion, you are selling culture … You are selling the economy of your country.
“Take for example umbaqo, which I have used as the opening at the Paris Fashion Week, I was showcasing where I come from, who I am, as an African.
Sonwabile also expressed how “it is important that young designers and other creatives use platforms such as Paris Fashion Week to tell their authentic African stories because the world is watching,” he added.
