Mantsho, which means a beautiful dark complexion in Sesotho, was established in 2005 by Palesa (Flower) Makubung after a four-year stint with iconic designer brand, Stoned Cherrie where she was lead designer.

Her abiding motto is a garment has to do something for your life.

A graduate of clothing production from the Vanderbijlpark Technical College, she has travelled extensively throughout Africa drawing inspiration from indigenous cultures and historically important black South Africans.

Mokubung zooms in on African materials and cleverly transforms them into modern and edgy designs incorporating fine silks and woven fabrics to end up with a 100% Mantsho garment. A true Mantsho garment can be identified by it’s confident and effortless silhouette, structure and quirkiness. These three elements work well to describe Mokubung’s knowledge of her craft. Shape is a big character of her design ethos she believes it stores a woman’s confidence.

Under the management and creative leadership of Palesa, Mantsho has gone on to travel to countries such as Greece, India, New York, Jamaica, Nigeria, Botswana, Senegal showcasing its designs. Mantsho has since attracted a big following amongst woman who want to stand out from the crowd and consider themselves as style leaders amongst their circle, women who a driven, classy and charismatic.

Palesa Mokubung’s Montsho design is featured in the Zeitz MOCAA exhibition, 21 YEARS: Making Histories with South African Fashion Week (2018 – 2019).