Bonny M | November 19, 2025
For Mongowothando “Mongo” Tywakadi, fashion is not merely about garments, it’s a language of heritage, craftsmanship, and intention. Born in Welkom, in South Africa’s Free State, and shaped by experiences from Cape Town to Beijing, Mongo’s story is one of transformation and return, a reconnection to self through design.
Before she was a designer, Mongo was a numbers woman, an actuarial science graduate from UCT navigating the structured world of corporate work. Yet, even in boardrooms and data meetings, her mind often wandered to design sketches, fabrics, and textures. “I believe it is my life’s purpose to be a designer,” she says. “Design was all I could think about, even in serious work meetings.”
And so, KUNGAWE, meaning “with you” in isiXhosa, was born, a creative sanctuary where African craftsmanship and contemporary design intertwine.
Mongo’s creative roots trace back to her childhood, raised by her grandmother, a woman whose hands were always creating, beading, knitting, and nurturing. “She valued hand skills, creativity, and nature,” Mongo reflects. “She always left a garden wherever she stayed.”
Those early lessons, combined with Mongo’s global perspective from her time in Beijing, became the foundation of KUNGAWE’s philosophy: craftsmanship, quality, and a profound connection to the earth. Every piece celebrates Southern African heritage, not as nostalgia, but as living artistry, seen in the intricate beading, weaving, and sculptural forms that define her designs.
At KUNGAWE, the word crafted carries deep meaning. It stands for garments made for necessity, made to last, and made by hands that care. Every creation is born through collaboration with skilled artisans who pour generations of knowledge into their work.
Take the IKHALA Dress, whose petal details were handmade by a Ndebele family spanning three generations, a living embodiment of continuity and pride. “Working with skilled artisans is important to me because it ensures a deep sense of care for the work being created,” Mongo explains.
The brand’s made-to-order model not only ensures quality and individuality but also champions sustainability, reducing waste and ensuring fair compensation for every hand involved.
Each KUNGAWE piece is designed with the wearer in mind, a woman who embodies strength, elegance, and curiosity. Mongo describes her ultimate goal simply: “I want the woman wearing KUNGAWE to stand out for the right reasons.”
Whether it’s a bespoke gown or a custom-fitted dress, KUNGAWE celebrates individuality. Customers are invited to provide personal measurements, allowing each piece to be tailored with precision, a rare luxury in today’s fast-fashion world.
And for Mongo, the reward lies in the moments of joy her creations bring. “Seeing my client dance in front of the mirror in her custom matric dress was deeply fulfilling,” she shares, a memory that reminds her of why she began.
KUNGAWE operates with a slow-fashion ethos, designing with mindfulness, sourcing locally, and creating consciously. Mongo ensures that each stakeholder, from artisan to client, benefits from an ethical, transparent process. Every garment is made to endure, promoting longevity over consumption.
“We are a slow fashion brand,” she affirms. “Every piece is designed to last a very long time if taken care of, encouraging mindful consumption.”
Mongo doesn’t see tradition and trend as opposites, to her, they coexist naturally. “I try not to separate contemporary fashion trends and heritage influences,” she says. “By grounding each design in traditional techniques while maintaining modern silhouettes, I ensure KUNGAWE remains both current and timeless. “And perhaps that’s the essence of KUNGAWE: a brand that lives between worlds, past and present, craft and innovation, softness and strength.
In only 49 days since its official launch, KUNGAWE has already become more than a label, it’s a promise that African artistry, when honoured and reimagined, can shape the global conversation on design. As for long term goals, Mongo’s dream is not just to dress women, it’s to remind them of their power, their beauty, and their connection to something greater.
Because in every thread, every stitch, and every silhouette, KUNGAWE whispers: you are seen, you are celebrated, you are with us.
Looking forward, what is your vision for KUNGAWE, and how do you hope it will continue to empower women?
I think fashion as a form of expression, culture, and artistry has diminished so I look forward to KUNGAWE playing its part in restoring those elements. Through the embrace of these elements, I think the KUNGAWE woman will be courageous in every way possible beyond dressing. I hope that the KUNGAWE items will see them through a long-time of becoming. Where they can own a KUNGAWE item from a specific season and have sentimental experiences of all the times they’ve worn it, what was happening and how it made them feel during that time.