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Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

THE creative industries are buzzing with anticipation as the glitz and glamour of awards season approaches, and the recent announcement of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) nominees has only heightened the excitement. The 23rd Nama ceremony, a highlight of Zimbabwe’s cultural calendar, will take place on March 1 at the iconic Hippodrome in Harare. The prestigious event promises to be another showcase of exceptional artistic talent and a vibrant celebration of the nation’s rich cultural landscape.

With the spotlight now on the nominees, artists, musicians and performers are on a mission to look their best, donning their finest attire and preparing for a night that honours their hard work and creativity. The spotlight will be on who will steal the show with their threads.

The Matobo Collection suit worn by NAMA co-host, Charlene Mangweni-Furusa

One woman who has set the tone for an exciting award event is Dintle Threads’ creative director and founder, Margaret Matambo-Mdlongwa, aka Maggie Bones, who’s from Gwanda. Her passion for fashion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Fashion and Textile Studies at the University of Namibia.

This year, Maggie’s talent was showcased at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama), where she designed the suit worn by host Charlene Mangweni-Furusa during the nominees’ revelation on Wednesday.

The suit, part of the Matobo Collection, drew inspiration from traditional motifs, beautifully bridging the gap between the past and the future. The result of that was a print designed by Rosina Ndebele from Ward 17 in Matobo district, while the suit itself was designed by Bulawayo-based Maggie.

“I unfortunately did not get the chance to meet Rosina Ndebele, but I’m sure I would have enjoyed picking her brain a little on the beautiful print that she created. It’s bold, loud and captivating,” Maggie said.
She expressed her delight in working with Mangweni-Furusa.

“Working with Charlene Mangweni-Furusa was so lovely. We bounced ideas off each other, the design process flowed and we always had new ideas. It was a really fun experience. Our visions came together beautifully.”
The theme for this year’s Nama, “Afrofuturism,” holds a special significance for Maggie.

“The Nama theme ‘Afrofuturism’ in regard to fabric to me is reimagining African culture and style. It is a blend of traditional African motifs with modern and futuristic designs/elements working together. To me, it’s about envisioning what our cultural wear will look like in the future and how we’re incorporating our culture into the changing times. It’s a fun experiment of sorts. Definitely bold and innovative.”

Maggie Bones

Maggie shared the emotional journey of creating the Matobo Collection suit.
“There were definitely a lot of mixed emotions when it came to creating this suit. We have this beautiful one-of-a-kind print and thoughts of how to use it to its fullest potential, but also telling a story would come into mind. This is the first suit that we’ve made with contrasting materials, which was fun. We incorporated a beaded headpiece into the suit, celebrating our culture.”

The recognition of her work extends beyond the Nama nominees’ revelation as Dintle Threads has dressed notable figures, including Ausha Abrahams, who wore a piece for her Gender-Based Violence campaign and participated in the “I Wear My Culture” fashion project.

She also participated in the recent “Matobo Goes Fashion and Beyond” event where models wore some of her designs.
Yet, as with many creative endeavours, Maggie faces challenges.

“Being a fashion designer in Bulawayo is a bit hard because if you need good quality materials and variety, you have to source from outside of Bulawayo, which then becomes more expensive. I hope there will be a change in our textile industry so that we don’t have to go far for the little things.”

Charlene Mangweni-Furusa praised the collaboration.
“The print jumped out at me when I met Margaret in January to document her work for the Matobo collection. I had seen it on the huts when we toured Matobo. Growing up, I remember seeing ogogo begudula and always thought it was so beautiful. Fast forward to today, and this art form is now being recognised and printed on fabric. With Nama running under the theme Afrofuturism, the Matobo collection was a no-brainer. I loved the geometric patterns and the colours. Margaret is a genius at putting patterns together.”

The Matobo Collection, a brainchild of the German Embassy in Zimbabwe, represents a fusion of heritage and innovation, showcasing the potential of African design on a global stage. As Maggie Bones continues to break barriers and redefine fashion, her story resonates with how Matobo women are leading the charge in cultural preservation and pride.

Their work has even reached mayoral spaces, as evidenced by the Mayor of Bulawayo’s recent announcement that Matobo women artists will design his gown, as the council aims to replace the traditional mayoral gown, which he describes as a “colonial relic.”

NAMA co-host Charlene Mangweni-Furusa wearing a chevron suit made by Maggie Bones and inspired by designs from Matobo hut paintings

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the recently-held “Matobo Goes Fashion and Beyond” exhibition meant to showcase the designs of Matobo women in art, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart said that the new gown will be ready by April. He noted that collaborating with Matobo fashion designers will ensure it reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage and Zimbabwean traditions.

“The Bulawayo City Council agreed unanimously that we are going to change the Mayoral gown. We are going to change this colonial relic and Miss Nkanyezi Malunga has been contracted by us to redesign the Mayoral gown using the fashion designs of the Matobo designers.

“We are working towards finalising this project. The local authority has approved a resolution to make it happen, and we anticipate that the gown will be ready by April. It will be 100 percent Zimbabwean, crafted entirely from locally sourced fabrics,” said Coltart. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu.