‘A profound loss': Fashion world mourns Sun Goddess Vanya Mangaliso
Tributes have poured in for Vanya Mangaliso following her passing. Picture: sungoddessmarimba/Instagram
Fashion designer and entrepreneur Vanya Mangaliso has passed away at the age of 53, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the fashion world.
Her passing was confirmed through a statement shared on Sun Goddess' social media pages. 'She passed away peacefully on Thursday, 26 June 2025, surrounded by loved ones,' read the statement.
'Vanya Mangaliso was widely respected for her contributions to South African fashion, a field she dedicated 25 years of her life to. She led her multi-award-winning brand, which has received over 50 awards both locally and internationally, proudly representing South African fashion,' expressed the statement.
The statement goes on to celebrate her, noting that her work has touched countless lives.
This is expressed in the manner and outpouring of messages from colleagues, friends, and those who loved the Sun Goddess brand.
Like many people, I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Vanya Mangaliso.
I was introduced to Vanya by Unathi Nkayi in 2004. We spent years in and out of the Sun Goddess studios, and in that time, a warm and respectful friendship was formed between the Mangaliso… pic.twitter.com/wGDhLVz0HV — @luphumlongcayisa (@luphumlongcayis) June 28, 2025
'The family kindly requests privacy as they grieve this immense loss. We ask the public and media to respect their space and refrain from any direct contact during this time.'
ALSO READ: How the last episode of 'Shaka iLembe' made Nomzambo Mbatha feel like a 'new person'
'A distinguished fashion designer and businesswoman'
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, founder and chief executive of Africa Fashion International (AFI), described Mangaliso as a distinguished fashion designer and businesswoman.
Mangaliso co-founded the luxury fashion brand Sun Goddess with her husband, Thando.
'Almost immediately, the brand became part of national memory and admired for its fashion-forward isiXhosa, Sesotho and Tshivenda aesthetics,' said Moloi-Motsepe.
'Her loss is a profound one for the fashion industry on the continent.'
David Tlale, a fellow designer who emerged in the 2000s around the same time as Mangaliso, also paid tribute to her.
'Oh Vanya Mangaliso. You ran your race, a true African woman who shaped South African Fashion and heritage,' said Tlale.
'Your work and efforts to unite the fashion industry will forever be remembered and continue. Your positive and kind spirit lives forever. To the Mangaliso's family, may the Lord comfort you and guide you through this difficult time.'
Vanya Mangaliso (Sun Goddess) passed away. What a remarkable woman. Vanya created what was called the Afro-Gucci.
She was the first to commercialise African designer wear taking it from the back room to boutique stores in top malls. She cracked the door open for Maxhosa, Bathu… pic.twitter.com/6iqnqn6q8e — ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 27, 2025
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula paid tribute to Mangaliso as a trailblazer in the fashion world.
'She was the first to commercialise African designer wear, taking it from the back room to boutique stores in top malls. She cracked the door open for Maxhosa, Bathu and others by mainstreaming African designers and brands,' wrote Mbalula.
Thank you Mrs Vanya ManglisoSunGoddess for making me the most beautiful fan in the whole world by dressing me started 20l6 going to Brazil RiO De Janeiro Olympics I have known her through @KassNaidoo @gsport4girls Rest in Peace ,,Condolences to Mangaliso family pic.twitter.com/xYbbCL52Gj — MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) June 27, 2025
Popular sports supporter Mama Joy Chauke thanked Mangaliso for helping her dress in proudly South African attire, which Mama Joy wore at global sporting events.
'Thank you, Mrs Vanya Mangaliso Sun Goddess, for making me the most beautiful fan in the whole world by dressing me; started [in] 2016, going to [the] Brazil Rio de Janeiro Olympics.'
NOW READ: Boitshepo Lamola to fly SA flag at Miss Grand International 2025 in Bangkok
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
11 minutes ago
- IOL News
Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny Lebyane share to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'
Actress, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is one of the South African figures who feature in Netflix's new true crime limited documentary series, "Beauty And The Bester". Image: Supplied Netflix has released the trailer for a new true crime limited documentary series, 'Beauty And The Bester'. The limited series chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a celebrated celebrity doctor whose involvement with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester sent shockwaves across the nation. Friends and family open up in exclusive interviews, each trying to make sense of the strange and unsettling bond between a respected doctor and her convicted criminal partner, Bester. The trailer shows: actress, DJ, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi, 'The Mommy Club' reality TV star and businesswoman Happy Simelane and broadcaster and multi-hyphenate personality Penny Lebyane. Penny Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who visited Magudumana's Sandton-based beauty business Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions. Image: Supplied/Netflix Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who unknowingly visited the practice of the criminally-accused skin doctor. She has previously been featured on Showmax's "Tracking Thabo Bester. Magudumana was the owner of Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions, a Sandton-based beauty business. Model and TV personality Thusi had an encounter with Bester, the 'Facebook Rapist,' in June 2011 and almost became one of his victims. Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. On Showmax's 'The Mommy Club', Simelane showed videos of their meeting where Bester asked her to 'find people producing luxury content'. Happy Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. Image: Supplied/Netflix Once revered as a successful businesswoman and social media influencer with a seemingly perfect life, Magudumana's meticulously crafted image began to crumble amidst suspicions of her role in Bester's elaborate prison escape and his clandestine double life. The three-part series delves into the events of late 2023 that captivated South Africa, leaving the public to ponder: how did one of the country's most admired women become embroiled in one of its most significant criminal scandals? From staged celebrity conferences and lavish living to the shocking escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison, it all began to unravel with one viral photo of the pair casually shopping at Sandton City, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with their dramatic arrest in Tanzania and extradition back to South Africa in handcuffs. Disgraced celebrated celebrity doctor Dr. Nandipha Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni features on the documentary. Image: Supplied/Netflix 'Beauty And The Bester' features courtroom footage and never-before-seen investigative material that peels back the layers of a story where love, manipulation, and corruption collide, culminating in a jaw-dropping incident that stunned the world. The individuals include Marecia Damons, one of the journalists who broke the story and Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni. 'Beauty and the Bester' launches on Netflix on September, 12, 2025.
eNCA
41 minutes ago
- eNCA
When motherly love awakens a sleeping monster
JOHANNESBURG - Nothing, and no one fights tooth and nail like a mother on a mission to save her children. Jessica finds herself having to do just that when her daughter Nikki is kidnapped by an old enemy she thought was long dead. READ | WATCH | Grade 1 teacher's body safety song goes viral And it all unfolds in a new South African production, Hunting Jessica Brok. Director Alastair Orr and lead actress Danica De La Rey Jones joined eNCA to speak more on this .
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Vienna chosen to host Eurovision 2026
VIENNA - Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world's biggest live televised music event, Austria's public broadcaster announced, with the final set for May 16. Austria's JJ won this year's competition, held in Basel in Switzerland, with his hit "Wasted Love", which blends techno beats with operatic vocals -- making his home country the 2026 host. Vienna, which previously hosted the glitzy TV extravaganza in 1967 and 2015, edged out its competitor Innsbruck, the capital of western Tyrol province, to stage next year's contest, public broadcaster ORF announced. The final of Eurovision's 70th edition will be held on May 16, 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria's largest indoor arena, with semi-finals set for May 12 and 14, Eurovision said. Israel controversy Since its launch in 1955, Eurovision has become the ultimate pop platform, catapulting Swedish icons ABBA to worldwide fame, as well as boosting the likes of Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. Some 166 million viewers in 37 countries watched this year's contest, with a record 60 percent of viewers aged 15 to 24 tuning in. The competition got even more views on Instagram and TikTok. The show has often drawn controversy, with pro-Palestinian activists staging protests during the extravaganza in Switzerland in May after Eurovision allowed Israel -- who came runner-up -- to participate in the contest despite the devastating Gaza war. Just after his win, JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, in an interview called for Israel to be excluded from next year's competition, sparking a storm of criticism in Austria, a staunch supporter of Israel. JJ, 24, has since sought to defuse the controversy, saying via his record label Warner that he was "sorry if his comments had been misinterpreted". Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which topped elections for the first time ever last year but failed to form a government, has described Eurovision as a "queer, left-wing, woke spectacle" and criticised Vienna for wanting to stage it despite the high costs. Basel put up nearly $40 million to host the contest. 'Europe, shall we dance?' Under the slogan "Europe, shall we dance?", Vienna -- more commonly known for classical music and the baroque splendour of its architecture -- pushed to host the contest, citing its experience with big events. It also touted its "enormous" accommodation capacities, its "excellent" transport links, and its "cosmopolitanism", with two million people living in the Austrian capital. The chosen venue, the Wiener Stadthalle, also hosted Eurovision in 2015, after the previous year's edition was won by bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst. Located in central Vienna, it opened in 1958 and seats 16,000 people in its main hall. When Vienna hosted the Eurovision contest last time, the city installed traffic lights showing same-sex and heterosexual couples instead of a single figure -- which proved so popular that authorities decided to keep them for good.
