Thebe Magugu taps Bonang Matheba as muse for Mafeteng capsule collection

South African designer Thebe Magugu has unveiled his Fall/Winter 26 collection, introducing a deeply personal Mafeteng Capsule that pays homage to heritage, identity, and origin. At the centre of the reveal is media personality and style icon Bonang Matheba, who Magugu names as the muse for the season.

“There is power in knowing exactly where you come from,” Magugu shared in the announcement, reflecting on the emotional foundation of the collection, which draws inspiration from Mafeteng, a small town in Lesotho that remains significant to his creative worldview.

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Bonag Matheba wearing the Mafeteng Dress for Thebe Magugu's Fall/Winter 26,limited edition. Image:Instagram/@thebemagugu

The designer further explained his choice of muse, writing: “I’ve always felt like Bonang embodies that with remarkable ease, as a woman who has built an entire universe simply around her presence.” The sentiment positions Matheba not only as a celebrity figure, but as a self-defined cultural force whose identity aligns with the themes of the collection.

For Fall/Winter 26, Bonang Matheba fronts the campaign introducing the limited-edition Mafeteng Dress in Bone White, paired with the sculptural Kite Cap. The pieces reflect Magugu’s continued exploration of narrative-driven fashion, where garments serve as expressions of place, memory, and personal history.

The Mafeteng Capsule Collection builds on Magugu’s reputation for weaving contemporary design with African storytelling, using silhouette and symbolism to honour the landscapes and lived experiences that inform his work. The choice of Bone White adds a sense of clarity and introspection, allowing form and detail to take centre stage.

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Magugu’s collaboration with Matheba adds a further layer of cultural resonance, bringing together two figures who have each built influential, self-defined worlds within their respective industries, fashion and media.

The Mafeteng Capsule Collection will be available for preview on Saturday, 18 April at Magugu House Johannesburg and Magugu House Cape Town, with a wider online release following on 23 April.