culture – Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Drums rolled and choirs sang out as Makanda celebrated the opening of the 50th National Arts Festival. A contagious sense of national and regional pride resounded from the dignitaries who attended the milestone Festival ceremony held in the very same auditorium where the Festival was first launched in 1974.

The Festival’s home town of Makhanda is also the childhood home of the National Arts Festival’s Deputy Chair, writer and academic, Dr Siphiwo Mahala. He remarked on the journey of the Festival from a gathering founded to preserve British language and culture to “one of the most inclusive and diverse arts festival’s in the world.” Mahala said this was possible in part because of the shared values and enduring partnership of the Festival’s partners.

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After unveiling their newest collection designed to infuse relaxation, sophistication, and elegance into the fashion landscape at South African Fashion Week Spring Summer 2024, Rubicon has sparked considerable excitement within the fashion world.

Celebrating South African glamour, Rubicon’s classic capsule collection delivered sophistication and flair at this seasons showcase.

Rubicon’s founder and lead designer, Hangwani Nengovhela brought to life a collection that was both ethereal and practical. Inspired by the African safari landscape, Nengovhela drew inspiration from the brand’s past silhouettes, colours, and artform , adding elements of glamour from the brand two decades rich history.

Nengovhela is frequently asked to predict the new season’s trends and to that she smiles and shakes her head. “I don’t believe in trends, I believe in classics,” she says. ‘I believe that if there is to be a trend for the season it is “to make the ‘old’ new again while giving a modern twist to traditional silhouettes, fabrics, and style.”

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