11 Jul 2018

Herero/Mbanderu attire enthusiasts will be treated to fashion extravaganza at the first ever Ozonde International fashion  coming towards end of the year.

The fashion show would stimulate Herero/Mbanderu culture and attire, and is proposed to be held at Thapong Arts festival in November this year.

Speaking  in  an  interview  recently, one of  the event organisers, Tumbee  Tjiharuka  said plans were underway to host the fashion  show which would  be  the  first  of  its  kind and intended to be held  annually.

 She  highlighted that  their  objective was  to  show  the  Herero/Mbanderu  culture, to  expose  the  talent  behind  the  attire  to  the  public and to inspire those willing to venture into the business of designing the Herero /Mbanderu  attires  to uplift their lives. 

Tjiharuka said the fashion show which would be held under the theme, ‘unearthing hidden talent,’ would not be limited to Botswana only as contestants from Namibia, South Africa and other country where there were Herero and Mbanderu tribe would be allowed to participate.

 “This will  give us the opportunity to address some of the issues that are related  to  the  attire  like  resemblance and to uncover the Herero/ Mbanderu dress designers,’’ she said.

The organiser said they believed that after uncovering talent behind the Herero /Mbanderu dress, it would help them to achieve their plans of having boutiques and shops that sold the attire.

“We will invite speakers who are already in the industry as a way of helping and motivating upcoming and already existing designers,” she said.

Tjiharuka  said   the  fashion show  would  further  clarify  the  meaning  of  the  Herero / Mbanderu  dress,  which  was  referred  to as  Ozonde  within  the  community, adding that it would also drive economic benefits to the designers and the youth.

“The  show  will  also  give  the  Herero/Mbanderu tailors  the  opportunity  to  be  known  and  identified  in  the  community  hence  recruiting  more  customers  for  their  respective  special  events,” she  said.

Tjiharuka  explained  that  there  would  be  models showcasing  already  made Herero/ Mbanderu dresses. Furthermore she said they would invite different officials from different government departments, ambassadors and different Herero and Mbanderu associations to their event.

She further explained that the show was not only limited to the dress but they would showcase different traditional components like omitjira and ozombuku known as makgabe and tshega, designed in different materials.

“We have categorised our dress into various categories which are, Oturupa, African attire and dinner dresses, wedding attire among others,”she said.

The event would also promote self-reliance hence encouraging the designers to be registered business entities, she said adding that local artistes would provide entertainment at the show.

Tjiharuka described the Herero dress as a symbol of dignity and belonging, saying it had been used as an ordinary dress for some years as it has been worn by old and married women within the Mbanderu/Herero communities.

“Since the 21^st century anyone could wear the dress but there were certain protocols one should abide by when wearing the dress, like to cover ones back with otjikeriva and walking slowly among others,” she explained. ENDS