Machine Head The Blackening T-shirt . The jovial 64-year-old designer recalls when he was contacted by Winnie Mandela soon after the apartheid government released her husband from prison in 1990. Having spent 27 years in jail, the hero of the fight against white-minority rule and South Africa’s soon-to-be president needed new clothes. Ndamase met Mandela in his home in Johannesburg’s Soweto.”He started to tell me that he wanted something that could look conservative enough for him to go and address the captains of industry and… then also to address the masses without having to change,” he said. Mandela wanted a style that would make him stand out among other statesmen and did not require a tie.The self-taught designer came up with the loose-fitting, casual-but-smart silk shirts with bold patterns that are associated with Mandela even after his death in 2013 at the age of 95. The shirts often feature oriental-style patterns. Some boast deep colours such as burgundy, dark grey, and royal blue, with playful designs; others are of cooler, tan hues, depicting elements from nature like leaves or twigs. All are recognisable as the signature Mandela look. It is a style that Ndamase, who suffered a mild stroke in March 2024, is passing on to a new generation of garment-makers.
Machine Head The Blackening T-shirt, hoodie, sweater, longsleeve and ladies t-shirt







Anonymous –
I LOVE IT!!!! the size small is a little under the belt but that exactly what i wanted.
Anonymous –
My son is going to love this shirt!!!
Anonymous –
Great value. Didn’t shrink
My husband doesn’t normally wear tee-shirts. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and needed some comfortable soft tees to wear under his arm sling that he wears constantly for 8 weeks. These are roomy and didn’t shrink. They are 100% cotton and are soft. You get two for a great price. Buy several!!
Anonymous –
This shirt is great. I love the color and it gets softer each time I wash it. There are other tie dye shirts on the market at twice the price. This is a much
better quality and all the colors are nice. My nex
Anonymous –
Nice outfit. Fit and superb material
Anonymous –
Good and beautiful as same as picture