Designer and traditional healer creates culturally inspired clothing in Thembisa
Healer embodies fashion in his works.
My name is Mlungisi Mabela, and I am both a designer and a traditional healer.
I create clothing for traditional healers and for special occasions such as weddings, blending culture, spirituality, and modern fashion into every design. I have lived in Thembisa for most of my life, and this community has shaped both my creative journey and my spiritual calling.
Some of my favourite memories are attending community ceremonies where culture and spirituality were celebrated openly and proudly.
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Those experiences inspired me to honour tradition through fashion and eventually guided me toward accepting my own calling as a traditional healer.
What I love most about Thembisa is the balance between tradition and modern life. It is a place where culture remains alive and where people continue to support one another through resilience, warmth, and unity.
I enjoy spending time at local shisanyama spots because of the atmosphere and sense of community they bring. I also value quiet spaces where I can reflect, pray, and sketch new ideas for my designs.
The moment that changed my life was accepting my calling as a traditional healer. It gave me a deeper sense of purpose and transformed the way I approach design.
Every garment I create carries cultural and spiritual meaning, making each piece more than just clothing.
One of the biggest challenges facing our community is unemployment. There is a lack of opportunities for young people.
I believe that creating spaces for skills development in fashion, art, and traditional practices can empower the next generation and help young people discover their own purpose.
Traditional healers inspire me because they carry wisdom and provide spiritual guidance. Their strength reminds me that both healing and design are forms of service to others.
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If I had to describe Thembisa in three words, I would say it is spiritual, creative, and resilient.
What many people may not know about me is that I combine traditional symbolism with modern design. My work is not just about style but also about identity, healing, and storytelling.
One day, I would love to create a cultural and creative hub where healers, artists, and designers can collaborate while preserving tradition and innovating for the future.
The best advice I have ever received came from an elder healer who told me, “Your gift is a calling, use it to serve others.”
Those words continue to guide both my spiritual journey and my work as a designer.
To me, home is a place where your spirit feels at peace.
Thembisa will always be home because it nurtured my creativity, shaped my calling, and keeps me grounded in culture and community.
