THEBE MAGUGU X WANDA LEPHOTO: PROJECT 16.1.C

In commemoration of Freedom day (27th April) – and as a reminder to the youth of the importance of voting, The Thebe Magugu Brand will on an annual basis partner with fellow emerging creatives under the collaboration name PROJECT 16.1.C. This name is a direct reference to the clause speaking to the right of creative expression and individuality stipulated in the South African Bill of Rights.

Thebe Magugu & Wanda Lephoto are brands rooted in storytelling and documenting culture. Freedom Day is a critical time in our post-apartheid history, one that must be acknowledged and taught. Voting is more than a paper and a ballot – it’s a sure-sign of our autonomy as individuals and fighting for this right has allowed us today to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Historically, printed t-shirts have always been used as “sites of resistance”. In an effort to honour Project 16.1.C, we approached menswear emerging designer Wanda Lephoto as our first collaborator with the intent on creating a shirt that merges our respective classic tees. One half of the tee features our sisterhood emblem cut in half and the other features a ‘salon-style’ screen-print of Wanda’s heritage-inflected garments.