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By Bonginkosi Tiwane

Digital Journalist


K.O launches Skhanda World Summer collection and brings out the stars

These are exciting times for the rapper, whose eight-part documentary will be screened on BET later this month.


With Fashion Week shows happening in Europe, South African rapper K.O decided to open the runway for his fashion brand, Skhanda World last week.

“Settling into my position and doing things outta the ordinary, my new thrill. We had our very first Skhanda World runway show yesterday. Thank you to Studio 88, Tsholofelo Moremedi, Ted Magerman and everyone who made this possible. Sincere thanks to all the fine ass models, celebs and fans,” said K.O wrote on Instagram.

The models he refers to are media personalities Minnie Dlamini, fellow rapper and tv host Nomuzi ‘Moozlie’ Mabena, and Shaka iLembe lead actor, Lemogang Tsipa.

In 2017 K.O, real name Ntokozo Mdluli, relaunched his clothing brand Cashtime Life to DustnKompany. The streetwear line penned its relationship with clothing outlet Studio 88 in 2018.

After the dismantle of Cashtime Life, K.O relaunched a parent company Skhanda World whose services include: record label, artist management, eventing, apparel, publishing, content creation and more.

K.O takes stance against fake fashion

A few years ago when one fan jubilantly tweeted K.O a photo of himself wearing a Cash Time Life cap and the rapper responded with a sober “But bro, that’s a fake cap tho[sic].”

The bootlegging got so bad, that makeshift Cash Time clothing crept up in countries such as Angola and Zambia, to the bewilderment of the owners of the brand.

This was during the height of the Cash Time Life clique, when it had the likes of Maggz, Moozlie, Kid X and Ma-E on the stable. The aforementioned artists have since left Cash Time after business turned sour.

Local fashion designers have to contend with international brands, breaking into the highly competitive industry and on top of that they still have to raise funds for collections.

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A post shared by SKHANDA WORLD (@skhandaworld)

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of The Nation Address, confirmed the clothing manufacturing industry in South Africa contributed about one-third of GDP. He said it was an important sector to invest in, which is why government had a master plan aimed at increasing the amount of locally made garments in-stores from 44% to 65% by 2030.

ALSO READ: Black Coffee dishes on why certain SA acts aren’t joining him for historic New York gig

KO reality show

Last week BET announced an eight-part series titled, The Inside Life with K.O will premiere on October 18.

“At BET, our mission is to celebrate and empower the voices that inspire change. Inside Life with K.O embodies this commitment as it brings to light the compelling journey of one of Africa’s musical legends. We are thrilled to partner with K.O on this project and provide a platform for him to share his remarkable story,” said Senior Vice President & GM Paramount Africa, and Lead BET International Monde Twala.

NOW READ: Amanda Black’s fashion sense: Three times the singer slayed on stage

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