The Proudly South Africa Local Fashion Police has made a major breakthrough by selecting 30 finalists out of thousands of entries for the 2025 competition.

Following the nationwide search, the nine judges gathered in Ferndale to identify the 30 finalists, chosen for their undeniable flair, originality, and local pride. The shortlisted candidates will now go head-to-head for a share of R350 000, plus the chance to walk the runway in an original design from one of the judges’ seven, covetable, local brands.

Read more: Local Fashion Police 2025 names its top 30 finalists

Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, chief marketing officer of Proudly South Africa, explained that the annual Local Fashion Police, which turns five this year, has grown in stature to be synonymous with the celebration of local sartorial excellence, and the dynamism of the local fashion industry. “The panel of judges that adjudicated the entries comprise leading local fashion designers and household names in the local fashion industry.”

The nine judges, who make up this year’s Proudly South Africa Local Fashion Police, comprise of Tshepo Mohlala, founder of Tshepo Jeans, designer Asanda Madyibi, Nobukhosi ‘Khosi’ Mukwevho and Thabo Mukwevho, co-founders of Khosi Nkosi, Londeka Buthelezi Ndaba, founder of Malondié, Stephen Van Eeden, of Stephen Van Eeden Atelier, Thandazani Nofingxana, of Abantu in Africa, and Prince and Warren Meko, aka the Meko twins, founders of Madonsela.

Van Eeden explained that the candidates that entered definitely brought their A-game. “I think it was a tough decision, coming to the conclusion of who the winners would be, because it was a neck-to-neck with some of the designers, but I think we’re all very happy with our chosen winners. It’s going to be an amazing campaign and, obviously, the fashion show at the end is going to be very exciting.”

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He further stated that the South African fashion industry has always stood back for international brands. “For years we tended to follow international trends, but, at the moment, we are taking the lead, shaping the fashion world by bringing our fashion to the global stage.”

He added that, competitions like these push the narrative of telling South African people to buy local, because a lot of brands are sustained by international people travelling to the country and seeing what they’ve got to offer. “Now, with campaigns like this, it’s for us to convince local people, and to show them what we’ve got and that our products are as competitive, in terms of pricing but also quality, as international offerings.”

The social media handles for the 30 shortlisted finalists, who will compete for a place on a winner’s podium, are: Siamkelo Kgomo, Tase Jack, Urban Guluva, Thuso Guffy Motumi, Stephanie Brookes, Dudu Nyokong, Bongani Dlamini, Savannah Alessandra Cozzi, Sibusiwe Butsaka, Charlene Kallis, Sipho Mnune, Shireen Stanbull, Gerdalize Bukes, _tshegofatso, Mamokgethi Phakeng, Makabongwe Ignacious Adam??, Lindiwe Pronestar, Marelize Earle, Marika Opperman, Sian Atterbury, Pumelela Mehlwana, Carol Avenant, Thatohatsi May, Thabang Mahlatji, Yvette Carmen Muller, Zoë Karsten, Vanessa pillay, lueandrue, S’ne Maphumulo, and Imbali.Hairpiness.

“Thank you to our panel of judges,” added MaKhumalo Ngidi, “who had a challenging time selecting the top 30 due to the exceptionally high quality of entries we received this year.”

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