Sindiso Ngwenya

Swazi sustainable fashion designer and advocate for ethical fashion practices.

Sindiso Ngwenya is a trailblazing designer from Swaziland (now Eswatini) known for pioneering eco-conscious fashion in Africa. Her brand Thandokazi Designs, founded in 2015, combines traditional Swazi craftsmanship with sustainable materials like recycled plastics and organic cotton. Ngwenya’s work challenges fast fashion norms by promoting slow, ethical production. She has collaborated with global brands such as H&M to integrate African artisan techniques into mainstream collections. Her TED Talk "How traditional African design can redefine global fashion" (2018) highlighted the cultural and environmental value of indigenous practices. Ngwenya also co-founded the African Fashion Collective, a network supporting ethical designers across the continent. Her advocacy led to partnerships with the UN Environment Programme, amplifying the role of fashion in sustainability. By 2019, her efforts had created jobs for over 200 artisans, proving that ethical fashion can be both profitable and socially impactful. Ngwenya’s vision aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, making her a key influencer in the global sustainable fashion movement.