The panel included Proudly South African CEO Eustace Mashimbye; Mpumelelo “Lele” Dhlamini, founder of Ezokhetho and Local Fashion Police Judge 2026; industry expert Greg Wallis; Kwenzi Nkomo, designer and owner of Indoni Fashion House; as well as Joy Nxumalo from Eldonai School of Fashion, FP&M Seta representative and Fezile Mdletshe, founder and chief executive officer of Fezile Fashion Skills Academy, representative from Durban Fashion Fair. Discussions tackled some of the realities facing emerging designers, from tough industry competition and the growing pressure from international fast-fashion platforms to skills development, brand building, consumer behaviour, digital influence, access to market, and balancing creativity with the commercial realities of running a sustainable business.
The Durban masterclass forms part of the developmental focus of Proudly South African’s Local Fashion Police campaign, which encourages South Africans to buy and wear local while strengthening the country’s clothing, textile, footwear and leather sector. Beyond celebrating local design, the masterclass series is about equipping emerging fashion entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and industry insight to help them grow businesses that can contribute to a stronger local fashion ecosystem and, ultimately, local job creation.
“Every time we choose local, we are doing more than making a fashion choice. We are supporting the designers, makers, manufacturers and businesses behind that garment, and helping to sustain jobs and opportunities within our own economy,” says Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African.
The Local Fashion Police masterclass series continues in Cape Town on 28 August and Johannesburg in September 2026.
The 2026 edition of the Local Fashion Police is sponsored by FP&M SETA, TFG, Nando’s and Krispy Kreme.
How to participate
As a consumer-facing activation, the Local Fashion Police provides consumers with an opportunity to actively participate in the competition. Being part of the competition is effortless.
Interested fashionistas should snap a picture or video of themselves rocking their favourite local outfit, post it on their preferred social media platforms, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or LinkedIn. Tag Proudly South African and FP&M Seta and use the hashtags: #LocalFashionPolice2026 #LovedHereMadeHere.
Four lucky winners will each secure R50,000 worth of fashion from a Local Fashion Police designer. The winners will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strut their stuff on the runway dressed in the judges’ exclusive collection, at the spectacular grand finale that will be held on 19 November 2026.
Interested participants in the Local Fashion Police can follow Proudly South African on its social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.
