“VUT fashion student Zwitukutuku Prince Mashamba secures a 2027 Mr Price internship after showcasing 13 garments at Fashion Without Borders Botswana 2026.”
22 October 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture:
3 minutes read time.
For Mr Zwitukutuku Prince Mashamba, the announcement took almost 10 minutes to sink in. The second-year Diploma in Fashion student at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) had secured an opportunity he had long hoped for: an internship with Mr Price.
Mr Mashamba won the internship opportunity for 2027 at Fashion Without Borders (FWB) Botswana 2026 on 16 October 2026, where he showcased 13 garments in the event’s Kiddies Show.
“At that moment, when I found out, I wasn’t able to process it. I was shocked for almost 10 minutes because it felt like a dream come true,” he recalled.
The achievement brings the emerging designer from Namakgale, a township in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, closer to his ambition of building a sustainable fashion brand.
His interest in fashion began with a need he recognised in his community. Young people wanted clothing that reflected their tastes, but access to custom designs and alteration services was limited.
“My interest in fashion came about from the gap I saw in my township, where teenagers could not get the latest designs made for them or have their clothes altered to their specifications,” he explained.
His inspiration was also close to home. His mother, a designer and seamstress specialising in traditional Tsonga clothing, helped shape his appreciation for the craft.
“My inspiration comes from my mom, who is also a designer and seamstress. She specialises in traditional clothes, Tsonga to be specific,” he said.
Building his own brand has brought challenges, particularly securing the funding needed to grow. Mr Mashamba currently produces custom-made garments on order, but hopes to expand into ready-to-wear fashion and reach a wider market.
Balancing those ambitions with full-time studies requires persistence. He sees each opportunity to showcase his work as a chance to develop his craft, build connections and move his business forward.
Participating in FWB Botswana gave him an international platform to present his designs. He described the experience as both rewarding and motivating.
“My experience is that FWB knows how to keep the standards high and make you want to attend more. It was extremely beautiful to be part of FWB Botswana 2026,” he said.
The internship offers a further opportunity to learn from industry professionals. While recognition for his creativity matters, Mr Mashamba is equally interested in understanding the business practices that sustain a fashion brand.
“Winning the internship means a lot since I will learn more about the fashion industry and how you should run and maintain your company so that you have investors looking for you,” he explained.
He also credits his studies at VUT with broadening his understanding of fashion and helping him develop ideas into collections.
“My studies helped me a lot because there was a side of fashion I didn’t know. Since I started the course, I have discovered a lot, which helps when it comes to having an idea of creating a collection,” he said.
For Mr Mashamba, the achievement carries significance beyond his own career. He hopes that representing VUT on an international platform will encourage fellow students and help create opportunities for those who follow.
“This also makes me happy since I know that, as a student of the VUT, I am representing the institution well, and more opportunities will follow for those coming after me,” he said.
From responding to the needs of young people in Namakgale to showcasing his work in Botswana, Mr Mashamba is steadily turning local inspiration into wider possibilities. The internship will offer him a chance to build on his studies and gain experience that could inform the next stage of his brand’s development.
VUT congratulates Mr Zwitukutuku Prince Mashamba on this achievement and wishes him continued success as he prepares for the internship and pursues his place in South Africa’s fashion industry.