Three of Botswana’s rising fashion stars—Jacqueline Mmatau, Sphumzile Akolang, and Refilwe Elliot—departed for Durban on Sunday to begin a transformative three-week internship with South Africa’s MR PRICE Group. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in their careers and is a direct result of their standout performances at the Fashion Without Borders (FWB) Botswana 2024 showcase.
The internship is part of an ongoing partnership between Fashion Without Borders Africa and the MR PRICE Group, aimed at nurturing emerging African creatives and integrating them into the global fashion industry. According to FWB Co-Founder Serge Kabisoso, the initiative is about much more than fashion.
“This initiative is not just about fashion. It is about opening doors, creating sustainable career pathways, and positioning African designers on the global stage,” said Kabisoso during an interview.
The three designers earned their coveted internship spots after impressing industry experts and audiences alike at the FWB Botswana 2024 event, held at The Grand Palm in October. The annual fashion extravaganza is known for spotlighting new talent, encouraging cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting entrepreneurship in Africa’s creative industries.
Jacqueline Mmatau, Sphumzile Akolang, and Refilwe Elliot now have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals within one of the continent’s largest fashion retail groups. The internship is expected to provide them with hands-on experience in design, production, merchandising, and fashion marketing.
By investing in young talent through international exposure and industry mentorship, the FWB-MR PRICE partnership is helping to reshape the future of African fashion—one designer at a time. As the three creatives begin their journey in Durban, they not only represent Botswana but also embody the potential of Africa’s next generation of fashion leaders.
