‘In the planning stage': Deputy Minister Peace Mabe discusses vision for Designers Indaba

News24

3 days ago

The 2025 South African Fashion Week (SAFW) highlighted the immense talent of local designers with strong support from Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Peace Mabe.
She spoke to News24 about the importance of celebrating and investing in homegrown fashion and discussed government initiatives like the upcoming Designers Indaba, aiming to address challenges such as access to industrial equipment and to provide financial and promotional support for designers at all career stages.
The event, featuring designers like Gert-Johan Coetzee, showcased innovation and creativity, reaffirming South Africa's position as a hub for world-class fashion.
South African designers recently took to the runway at the 2025 South African Fashion Week (SAFW) to showcase their remarkable talent and creativity, this time around with government watching in support.
With a star-studded guest list including Nadia Nakai, Zozibini Tunzi, Unathi Nkayi and many others throughout the fashion show, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe was also among the crowd.
According to the minister, her attendance was to celebrate local talent in the fashion industry and offer much-needed government support.
In an interview with News24, Mabe shared plans to increase government efforts to promote local designers.
'South Africans are talented. That's one thing for sure that we need to embrace. I've also attended small, private, and, of course, international fashion events, like Paris Fashion Week.
'I've never had exposure where a collection of designers is showcasing locally. I attended yesterday, but I couldn't help it again today. Just to come and appreciate the talent that is out there,' she said.
Additionally, the minister called for South Africans to invest in local talent by at least owning a few garments from local brands.
'Out of three things that you're wearing, at least two should be locally made,' she said, highlighting the quality and craftsmanship of local designers. 'I don't doubt the quality, the finishing, everything is perfect,' she added.
Government support
According to Mabe, the government should create an enabling environment for designers by providing financial and other forms of support.
She also expressed that various government departments have committed to exposing designers to broader audiences and offering the necessary assistance to help them thrive.
'As government, we are also responsible for creating an enabling environment. Designers, of course, need to have a platform, [one that] exposes them and gives them the financial support they need, as well as any kind of support that they might need,' Mabe said.
Challenges facing local designers
The deputy minister revealed that despite their impressive talent, local designers face unavoidable challenges, including a lack of access to industrial equipment that would enhance their production capabilities.
She also noted that designers like Boys of Soweto and Tshepo are among those who have voiced concerns about the absence of large industrial machines essential for scaling their businesses.
These challenges will be addressed by launching programmes like the Designers Indaba, which will see various government departments collaborate to support fashion designers.
'They don't have big industrial machines, and together with the Department of Small Businesses and Local Economic Development, DTIC, we have agreed that we're going to host the Indaba for designers.
'I can also confirm that ABSA is on board. African Bank is on board, and you know, other sponsors as well,' she told News24.
A three-phase approach
According to Mabe, the Designers Indaba will bring together designers at different stages of their careers in a three-phase format.
The first phase will focus on established designers who have successfully entered the market. The second phase will spotlight promising, up-and-coming designers, while the final phase will address those at the grassroots level who have yet to gain recognition.
'This initiative is still in the planning stage, but we feel it is crucial to create opportunities for designers across all levels of their careers,' Mabe said.
A celebration of talent and innovation
Following her attendance at SAFW - where various designers like The Bam Collective, Thabo Makhetha, Gert-Johan Coetzee, and many others showcased their work - Mabe praised the creativity displayed on the runway.
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One of the standout collections for the deputy minister was presented by renowned designer Gert-Johan Coetzee.
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'I saw Gertie yesterday, and I said he really represented the future. It seemed to be an integration of AI, space, and the current season, which is winter. The fabrics, everything was just perfect,' she said, acknowledging Coetzee as a leader and powerhouse within the fashion industry.