SOUTH AFRICA MOURNS THE QUEEN OF AFROCHIC: Vanya Mangaliso dies at 53
By Zenoyise John:
A blazing light in South African fashion has gone out. Vanya Mangaliso - the bold visionary behind the iconic Sun Goddess label - has passed away. She was 53.
Mangaliso, who died peacefully on Thursday, 26 June 2025, surrounded by her family, was more than just a fashion designer. She was a cultural force. A symbol of pride. A woman who stitched heritage, identity, and elegance into every thread of her work. Her death has sent ripples of grief through the South African fashion world, with many calling it the end of an era.
For over 25 years, Mangaliso reigned as the high priestess of Afrochic. Her fashion wasn’t just worn - it was felt. Her garments told stories: of ancestors, of African royalty, of dignity reclaimed. Each runway s...