By Bayanda Hlongwane
“I already knew what I wanted to do with the Durban July theme, Country Allure,” said Mlungisi Ndlovu, a postgraduate Diploma student in Fashion Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) fashion student who won the 2026 Hollywoodbets Young Designer Award at the Durban July. Inspired by the Nguni cow, which holds a special place in Zulu culture, Ndlovu turned his idea into a design that celebrated South African heritage and earned him one of the competition’s top honours.
Ndlovu walks away with a travel package to attend South African Fashion Week 2026, a R70 000 bursary from Hollywoodbets, R10 000 in cash, and a Kryolan Professional makeup voucher worth R25 000. He says the bursary will help pay for his studies. The opportunity to attend South African Fashion Week will allow him to learn, grow, and gain experience from some of South Africa’s leading fashion designers.
When the Durban July 2026, Country Allure theme was mentioned. Ndlovu immediately thought of the significance of the Nguni cow, a powerful animal and a statement to the Zulu Culture. “I thought, why not, define the Zulu culture, in an unexpected manner, since the Country Allure theme carries aura and power, in celebrating the South African Culture,” explained Ndlovu.
When the winners were announced, Ndlovu said he was filled with excitement and disbelief. He says he still can’t believe he won the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award. Although he was competing against other talented designers, he was never nervous. Instead, he stayed focused on his creation and appreciated the different ideas and designs presented by the other finalists in the Top 10.
In the future, Ndlovu says that through his brand, Unchosen, he hopes to work with the DUT Disability Unit and the Prosthetics and Orthotics departments to create adaptive fashion for people living with disabilities. He believes the two departments can provide the knowledge and guidance needed to help make the project a success and ensure it meets the needs of the people it is designed for.
Ndlovu says his late mother inspired him to pursue a career in fashion and remains his biggest motivation. He also thanked the DUT Fashion Department lecturers, especially his adviser, Ms Thandeka Nxumalo, for their guidance and support throughout the competition.
To continue celebrating African culture through fashion, Ndlovu says he would like to collaborate with Xhosa fashion designers, including Maxhosa Africa, whose work promotes African identity. He also hopes to work on projects inspired by the Shaka iLembe television series to showcase and celebrate South African culture.
