Sun Goddess’ Vanya Mangaliso dies… all to know about South Africa’s fashion icon

The South African fashion world is mourning the loss of a visionary. On June 27, 2025, Vanya “Vanga” Mangaliso—co-founder of the iconic Sun Goddess brand—passed away, leaving behind a powerful legacy of style, heritage, and innovation.

For over two decades, she redefined what African luxury looked like on the global stage, transforming traditional fabrics and ancestral stories into runway masterpieces. Her death marks the end of an era, but her influence will continue to illuminate the path for generations of designers and dreamers.

Who Was Vanya “Vanga” Mangaliso?

Vanya Mangaliso was more than just a fashion designer—she was a cultural ambassador for African heritage through luxury design. A business graduate and creative visionary, Vanya co-founded the label Sun Goddess in 2001 with her husband Thando. Born in the Eastern Cape and raised in a culturally rich household, she often credited her late mother’s traditional attire and community rituals as early influences. Vanya combined business acumen with creative storytelling, reshaping how African traditions were perceived on global runways. Through her work, she empowered other women to embrace identity, elegance, and entrepreneurial independence.

When and How Did She Pass Away?

Vanya Mangaliso sadly passed away on June 27, 2025, a date that now marks a significant loss in the South African fashion industry. At the time of writing, no official cause of death had been publicly announced. However, tributes poured in across media and fashion communities, with many describing her as a trailblazer, mentor, and “mother of heritage couture.” The news stunned fans and colleagues, particularly as she was actively engaged in recent projects and fashion presentations.

What Was Sun Goddess—and Why Did It Matter?

Sun Goddess began as a small idea: Vanya and Thando selling skirts out of the boot of a VW Beetle. That idea quickly bloomed into one of South Africa’s most revered luxury fashion houses. The brand’s ethos was rooted in celebrating traditional African aesthetics—whether through beadwork, upcycled fabrics, or silhouettes inspired by tribal wear. “Sun Goddess” became synonymous with “Afro-Gucci” in style circles. The brand’s boutiques in Sandton and Sun City became destinations, while their runway shows at SA Fashion Week consistently received critical acclaim. Vanya once described the brand as “a love letter to African memory.”

What Awards and Achievements Did She Receive?

Vanya’s contributions to fashion were widely recognised. She received the South African Designer/Retailer of the Year award in 2006 and was featured in global publications like Forbes Africa and Pantone Color of the Century. Her work appeared on international runways in London, Delhi, Stockholm, Washington D.C., and Singapore. Celebrities like Goapele, Sjava, and even Gabrielle Union wore her pieces. She was also a regular speaker at creative business forums, mentoring up-and-coming designers and speaking passionately about “business with soul.”

What Challenges Did She Overcome?

Despite the brand’s high profile, Vanya was no stranger to hardship. In an interview with Forbes Africa, she revealed that Sun Goddess suffered a devastating warehouse flood, resulting in the loss of R2 million worth of garments. She also experienced a traumatic home robbery and had to navigate the economic downturn during COVID-19. Nonetheless, she refused to compromise her vision for fast profit. Her guiding philosophy was: “If I don’t sell a skirt, I don’t eat”—a reminder of the grit behind the glamour. Through strategic reinvention and brand integrity, she built something lasting from the ashes of adversity.

How Did She Elevate African Heritage Through Fashion?

Vanya’s designs celebrated isiXhosa beadwork, Venda rituals, Zulu regalia, and Tswana wedding attire—translating these into modern couture. She was among the first designers to use African folklore and indigenous symbols as central themes for her collections. Whether through embroidered shawls, animal-print detailing, or hand-dyed fabrics, every piece told a story. Her creations were often showcased to the sound of African drums or narrated poetry, bridging past and future. She once said, “Africa doesn’t need validation; it needs visibility.” Her fashion became a vehicle for cultural reclamation.

What Was Sun Goddess’s Global Influence?

Sun Goddess extended far beyond South Africa’s borders. From London Fashion Week to India Fashion Week, Vanya positioned her designs as both wearable art and cultural diplomacy. She was invited to speak at embassies, design expos, and fashion summits. In 2024, she led the opening of a virtual store in Africarare’s Metaverse fashion district—making her one of the first African designers to enter the digital fashion space. This move showed her ability to merge heritage with technology, cementing her as a pioneer in both physical and virtual fashion ecosystems.

What Legacy Does She Leave Behind?

Vanya leaves a powerful legacy: one of elegance, empowerment, and authenticity. Her designs will continue to shape the wardrobes of proud African consumers. More importantly, her business journey will inspire generations of women to see fashion as a platform for storytelling and identity. Her label Sun Goddess is expected to continue, guided by her husband Thando and their long-standing team. Many in the industry view her life as a blueprint for how creativity, cultural pride, and business excellence can coexist.

What’s Next for Sun Goddess Without Vanya?

While her absence will be deeply felt, Sun Goddess is expected to continue building on the legacy she laid. Plans for upcoming fashion weeks, new digital fashion collections, and a special commemorative collection in Vanya’s honour are reportedly underway. Thando Mangaliso has affirmed his commitment to preserving Vanya’s vision while evolving the brand with younger designers and new storytelling tools. The label’s expansion into resort wear, corporate fashion, and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) highlights its dynamic future.

The death of Vanya “Vanga” Mangaliso is a monumental loss not only to South African fashion but to global design culture. She turned thread into narrative, cloth into culture, and style into statement. Her legacy is not stitched in garments alone—it lives in every designer she mentored, every runway she revolutionised, and every woman who wore her work with pride. Vanya may be gone, but her sun will never set.