Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana is a Lesotho-born, award-winning South African fashion designer and cultural ambassador whose work celebrates African heritage through luxury fashion. She founded her eponymous label Thabo Makhetha in 2009 at the age of 21, inspired by her Mosotho roots and a deep respect for traditional Basotho blankets known as Kobo ea bohali which have become the signature material in her couture-ready capes, coats, and accessories.  Raised in South Africa after moving from Lesotho at age three, Makhetha-Kwinana studied fashion design at Nelson Mandela University before launching her brand. Early in her career she transformed Basotho blankets into contemporary garments that resonate globally, bringing cultural storytelling into the fashion spotlight and sparking international recognition for African-inspired luxury design.  Her breakout moments include showcasing at Vancouver Fashion Week and receiving accolades such as the Impact Award for Design Excellence and multiple continental honors in 2024. She made history as the first fashion designer appointed to an artist residency at the Iziko South African National Gallery.  Makhetha-Kwinana’s work is both a celebration of identity and an exploration of sustainable creative expression, merging craftsmanship with cultural narrative to amplify African voices in global fashion. 
