Fashion
Who Runs the Fashion Game? Bonang Matheba or Pearl Thusi?
South African fashion has its icons. And then it has Bonang Matheba and Pearl Thusi, women who don’t just wear clothes, rather they shape conversation, ignite trends, and walk into a room like the moment belongs to them. These aren’t just celebrities with good taste. They’re fully-fledged style personalities, each commanding their own lane, and fiercely so.
But if we’re asking who really runs the fashion game? That’s a loaded question. The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a fashion queen. And more importantly, whose style speaks to you. So let’s unpack their style.
Bonang Matheba: Clean. Commanding. Consistent.

Bonang Matheba
When Bonang shows up, she looks like she’s dressed for the boardroom and the red carpet at the same time. Her style is unmistakably refined. She leans into structure: coats that know their shape, gowns that understand drama without noise, heels that mean business.
Bonang’s fashion is rarely chaotic. She doesn’t do too much. In fact, her power lies in the way she edits. It’s always the right dress, the right shoe, the right bag. Not one extra thing out of place. And that kind of quiet confidence? That’s what makes her unforgettable.
Over the years, we’ve seen her go from pageant-style gowns to designer power suits and custom evening looks that would hold their own in Paris or Milan. Her taste has matured, and she’s embraced her own fashion identity. Think muted tones. Rich fabrics. Timeless shapes. Bonang doesn’t chase trends, she commits to taste, and it shows.

Bonang Matheba
Pearl Thusi: Wild. Bold. Unapologetic.

Pearl Thusi
Pearl, on the other hand, brings fire. Not the burn-everything-down kind, the spark, the heat, the unpredictable glow. Her style is emotional. Some days she’s glam. Other days she’s in a corset, cargo pants and combat boots, serving energy that says, “I don’t follow rules, I bend them to fit me.”
There’s a rugged softness to how Pearl dresses. She’ll wear a dramatic gown with an afro puff. She’ll show up in streetwear and still make it fashion. She mixes elegance with toughness, often in the same look, and it works because it’s real. She dresses like she’s telling a story. And no two chapters look the same.
What makes Pearl stand out is her fearlessness. She takes risks, some hits, some misses, but you never get the sense that she’s dressing for applause. She dresses like someone who knows herself, and isn’t afraid to change lanes when the mood shifts.

Pearl Thusi
Same Game, Different Plays
Bonang and Pearl couldn’t be more different in how they express style. But they have one thing in common, they both understand that fashion is more than clothes. It’s how you carry yourself. It’s the attitude. Energy. Presence.
Bonang is the woman you call when the dress code says “excellence only.”
Pearl is the one who rewrites the dress code entirely, and still gets a standing ovation.
Let’s take you back a bit to the time when they both almost gave us all a heart attack from heavy fashion.
Let’s start with Pearl Thusi, aka Mama Panther, aka the woman who can give you soft glam one day and full-on high-fashion villain the next. In this particular look, Pearl stepped out like a character straight out of a billion-dollar heist film, the lead, of course. She’s dressed in a glossy crocodile-textured two-piece set in a shade of green that doesn’t whisper “luxury” it screams it. Not emerald, not lime, not neon. Money-green. The kind of green that tells you, I don’t chase, I attract.
She layered it with a dramatic fur coat casually draped over her arms like it’s just another Tuesday, then topped it off with fierce stilettos, bold sunglasses, and the kind of confidence you simply can’t borrow. Standing in front of a matching luxury sports car, it’s clear this look was no longer outfit alone but power play.

Pearl Thusi
Now, enter Bonang Matheba, the woman who’s been eating up red carpets. There’s something about Bonang that says she doesn’t just dress for the occasion, she is the occasion.
In this maroon moment, she gave us head-to-toe luxury without a single word. Wearing a sculpted leather mini dress and a matching oversized trench, both in that deep, wine-red Gucci croc texture. Bonang made minimalism feel expensive. The monochrome pairing, the pointed heels, the compact handbag in the exact same tone, this was precision styling. She didn’t over-accessorize. She didn’t need to. With her sleek hair, gold earrings, and black sunglasses, she looked like the boss lady who owns the building, not just someone attending the event.

Bonang Matheba
So Who Really Runs It?
It depends. Are you drawn to elegance that’s been fine-tuned and perfected over years? Or does the wild beauty of unpredictability pull you in?
If you value consistency, clean lines, and couture clarity, you’ll probably say Bonang.
If you live for spontaneity, statement dressing, and fearless flair, your vote might go to Pearl.
But here’s the truth: South African fashion needs both. It thrives because of both. And maybe, just maybe, the real flex is that they’ve never tried to be each other.
Read Also: Bonang Matheba Embraces a New Age with Style and Gratitude
Fashion
Pamela Mtanga Knows Exactly How to Style Polka Dots
Polka dots are enjoying a strong comeback this year, with designers reworking the classic print through sculptural shapes and modern tailoring. Instead of leaning into vintage-inspired dressing, the focus has shifted to bold proportions and clean styling.
Pamela Mtanga‘s latest outfit reflects that direction.
The television presenter wore an oversized white polka dots dress, choosing a design that balanced volume with structure. The high neckline gave the dress a refined look, while the fitted bodice defined her waist before flowing into a bubble hem. One of the defining details was the exaggerated puff sleeves, which brought volume and balanced the fitted bodice.

Photo: Instagram/@Pamelamtanga
She kept to black and white, pairing the dress with delicate black ankle-strap heels. A compact black handbag with a textured finish tied everything together.
She kept her accessories minimal. White oval sunglasses picked up the white tones in the polka dot print, while drop earrings introduced a subtle finishing touch that kept the focus on the dress.
She wore her hair in a softly curled bob with a side part, a hairstyle that suited the dress’s dramatic sleeves. Her makeup included fresh-looking skin, softly defined eyes and a rich red lipstick, introducing the only bold shade in the look.

Photo: Instagram/@Pamelamtanga
Instead of adding statement jewellery or colourful accessories, Pamela kept the styling understated. The simple accessories keep the focus on the dress.
The look also reflects Pamela Mtanga’s signature style. She often wears structured tailoring, dramatic sleeves and contemporary dresses paired with understated accessories. This polka dot look fits naturally alongside many of her previous fashion choices, reflecting her preference for bold shapes paired with carefully chosen accessories.
Fashion
Mihlali Ndamase Goes All In on Pinstripes
Mihlali Ndamase is embracing classic tailoring with a pinstripe outfit that pairs structured tailoring with relaxed proportions. The beauty entrepreneur and content creator opted for a black-and-white look centred on tailored pieces, showing another side of her wardrobe beyond the glamorous occasionwear she is often seen wearing.

Mihlali Ndamase – Instagram
The outfit centres on a black pinstripe three-piece set with wide-leg trousers and a fitted halterneck waistcoat. Fine white pinstripes contrast against the black fabric, while the close-fitting waistcoat sits neatly through the torso before meeting the loose-fitting trousers. Instead of wearing the waistcoat on its own, Mihlali layered it over a crisp white button-down shirt with an exaggerated curved hem extending below the waistcoat, creating a striking black-and-white combination.

Mihlali Ndamase – Instagram
The oversized trousers fall loosely over her silver platform heels, emphasising the relaxed fit of the outfit. The mix of tailored pinstripes and wide-leg trousers offers a modern interpretation of classic suiting while maintaining a structured shape.
She paired the outfit with metallic silver accessories, including a quilted top-handle handbag and matching platform peep-toe heels. A silver wristwatch, stud earrings and stacked rings rounded off the look.
Mihlali wore her hair in a centre-part style pulled neatly behind her shoulders. Her makeup included sculpted brows, defined lashes, neutral eyeshadow, softly contoured cheeks and a nude lip that complemented the black-and-white look.

Mihlali Ndamase – Instagram
This outfit reflects a style direction Mihlali has returned to several times over the years. While she is often associated with body-skimming dresses, corsetry and statement eveningwear, she has also incorporated sharp tailoring into her wardrobe. Compared with some of her more embellished red-carpet appearances, this pinstripe look places greater emphasis on tailoring while staying true to the refined style that regularly appears in her fashion choices.
Fashion
Thabsie Brings Aviator-Inspired Style to Winter in a Sherpa-Trimmed Faux Leather Co-Ord
Thabsie is embracing winter dressing with a coordinated faux leather look. In a recent Instagram post, the South African singer tagged Fashion Nova and identified her outfit as the Along The Lines Sherpa Faux Leather Skirt Set, putting the spotlight on a coordinated look that blends classic winter textures with a fitted cut.
The two-piece is crafted from chocolate-brown faux leather and finished with cream sherpa trim throughout. The cropped sleeveless top has a high funnel neck, a full-length front zip and structured cap sleeves lined with sherpa. Matching trim runs along the hem, creating a clear contrast against the dark faux leather.

Thabsie – Instagram
The coordinating mini skirt follows the same details as the top. Designed with a high waist, it has a front zip running through the centre and sherpa trim along the hem. The matching zips on both pieces create a consistent finish, while the fitted cut gives the set a structured appearance. The rich brown faux leather paired with the cream sherpa trim gives the outfit an aviator-inspired feel, making it well suited to the winter season.

Thabsie – Instagram
Thabsie kept her accessories within the same brown and cream tones. She carried a structured white Burberry tote with brown leather handles and trim, complementing the shades of the outfit. She paired the look with knee-high white boots with square toes and block heels, creating a bold contrast against the dark faux leather. She also wore slim gold bangles on one wrist.
Her hair was styled in a relaxed updo with soft face-framing strands, while her makeup included defined brows, softly blended eye makeup, warm neutral tones and a nude lip.

Thabsie – Instagram
The look reflects a style Thabsie has returned to in recent months. From tailored outfits to coordinated neutral looks and leather pieces, she has consistently favoured structured designs with a refined finish. This sherpa-trimmed faux leather co-ord continues that approach, reflecting her preference for coordinated dressing while adapting it for the colder season.
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