Bonang Matheba recently expressed her enthusiasm about her upcoming collaboration in 2026 with esteemed designer Thebe Magugu, honoring the Kingdom of Lesotho.
On Tuesday, April 28, the celebrated South African media personality stole the spotlight at the exclusive premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 held at the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
The 38-year-old looked stunning in a monochrome pin-striped ensemble, accessorizing with a sleek hairstyle and fashionable sunglasses.
BONANG MATHEBA FOR THE THEBE MAGUGU MAFETENG RANGE
In a red-carpet interview during the premiere, Bonang briefly touched on her latest project with Thebe Magugu:
“I’m fronting his [Thebe Magugu] Fall/Winter Mafeteng capsule collection. We’re celebrating the Kingdom of Lesotho,” she said.
On Saturday, April 25, the fashionable Bonang created a stir online with her stunning photos showcasing Thebe Magugu’s latest designs.
She flaunted a Basotho A-Line high-waisted skirt paired with a chic black blouse, a Basotho Unisex Poncho, a lovely Mafeteng peplum dress, and a high bun hairstyle that perfectly complemented her looks.
Thebe Magugu released his 2026 Fall/Winter Mafeteng Collection in April 2026, selecting Bonang as his featured muse.
His collection incorporates traditional Basotho designs, prominently featuring the Seanamarena, a classic blanket recognized within the Sotho culture and worn by individuals of all genders.
BONANG: A BELOVED MUSE FOR DESIGNERS
Bonang has established herself as a long-standing inspiration for numerous South African fashion designers.
During the early stages of Gert Johan Coetzee’s journey, Bonang frequently showcased his designs, as they are not only contemporaries but also share the same age.
Rich Mnisi, another remarkable designer, has had an impressive collaboration and friendship with Bonang. The duo even appeared on the cover of Glamour Magazine in 2019, discussing their efforts to reshape African fashion.
In 2022, Bonang dazzled in a Rich Mnisi dress from the JAMES collection during the announcement of the Miss South Africa Top 10, which carried a price tag of R17,000.
A REVIEW THAT CELEBRATES THEBE MAGUGU AND BONANG’S COLLAB
The Post, Officially! a respected source in South African fashion, shared nothing but commendations for the Bonang and Thebe Magugu partnership. He characterized it as a collaboration that was unexpectedly perfect.
“Bonang Matheba being revealed as the Thebe Magugu muse was totally not in my bingo card. Because in my mind that woman is so expensive,” he began.
“It’s a collaboration I didn’t know I needed. I’ve only ever seen this dress on Sarah Langa before, when they were launching the Mafeteng dress,” he noted.
The reviewer also celebrated the fashion brand’s remarkable progress.
“What’s exciting also is just their output, the work that they have been doing, because this comes after Thebe Magugu had an exhibition in São Paulo in March,” he added.
“Where they were profiling key looks from the brand, which obviously included the look that Lauryn Hill wore at the DSTV Delicious Festival a year ago,” he concluded.
