Costume and wardrobe designer from Hazyview has big future plans

A local costume designer and wardrobe stylist who has worked in big production companies continues to reach greater heights.

Ntando Mathebula (33), hailing from Hazyview, says he knew he was an artist from an early age when he would express himself through writing songs and performing self-written sketches.

His journey, however, led to engineering before he explored his real passion. “I studied engineering at the Ehlanzeni TVET College from 2012 to 2014. After studying, I was at home for two years looking for a job until I decided to study performing arts.”

In 2019, he obtained his diploma in performing arts from the Tshwane University of Technology. One of his modules was work-integrated learning (WIL), a practical subject in which learners are introduced to the working world.

“I worked for Johannesburg Wardrobe Studio as a wardrobe stylist and make-up artist for shows such as Ifalakhe and Blood Psalms, and production companies such as Showmax and Netflix.”

Mathebula’s role is to apply make-up to actors to enhance the director and writer’s storyline or specific scenes, working closely with the production team.

“After my WIL programme I was absorbed, but in 2022 I went back to school because I wanted to obtain my postgraduate degree, but I dropped out due to a lack of funding,” he said.

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Mathebula now works as a technician for the Royal Pearl Entertainment Agency. He said his main focus is giving back to his community.

“My future plan is to open the Ntando Mathebula Academy. I want to mentor and develop artists from my community. I want them to know that there are professions such as costume designing, wardrobe styling, performing arts and others and to equip them with the knowledge of where and what to study,” he said.

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