She passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by family and close friends. Award-winning designer and co-founder of label Sun Goddess, Vanya Mangaliso (53), was laid to rest after a service at the Rosebank Union Church,
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The founder of Brand Leadership Group, Thebe Ikalafeng, said he first met Vanya and her husband Thando Mangaliso, and he was captivated. “From the first time I met Thando and Vanya more than two decades ago, I knew they were different, in a very good way,” he said. “Always on their own lane. They revolutionized African fashion. They made us see ourselves through our own eyes, as proud Africans.” At the funeral, he was reminded that the first time he saw them as a couple, they were not yet married. “I told him, You better marry that woman.’ Everyone who knew Mrs. Mangaliso would all want to marry her without wasting a minute,” he said. “She was the epitome of class, calmness, contentment, elegance, and authenticity. Today, her clan, family, friends, and her four children, and Thando, though hurt, found the strength to remind us of this special woman. They didn’t have to say much, because we saw her in them; the rootedness, the humility, the calm, and the authentic beauty.” Uyanda Mbuli attended the funeral wearing her Sun Goddess outfit. “Today, I wore Sun Goddess to honour the one who journeyed with me on the road back to myself. There are very few people I’ve trusted with both my image and my inner world. Vanya was one of them.”
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Thando and Vanya established Sun Goddess in 2002 and were the pioneers of South African fashion. Thando penned a tribute describing their relationship as love at first sight. “My Minty passed away in my arms. We met and it was just magic. She captured my imagination and our romance was fire that fuels our love,” he said. “We lived a passionate and complete life, 28 years as lovers, of which we were married for 26 years. Our family and children remain our greatest achievement. I’m shattered, and I have my children to comfort me. I thank God for giving me my wife,” he added.
Cece Smith 