How Mandela changed SA fashion

Forget about his political feats – 10 years ago Nelson Mandela revolutionised fashion in South Africa’s parliament. Before 1994, you could have mistaken parliamentary sessions in South Africa for an unlikely contest of whose suit is the greyest or whose hat has the biggest brim. But then came Mr Mandela. He sashayed into the hallowed halls wearing what became known around the world as the Madiba shirt – a colourful combination of white or black or green or yellow or red; sometimes all of these colours.

There are now a number of fashion outlets specialising in Madiba shirts, even though the original was designed and made by Yusuf Surtee, who is still the former president’s personal designer.

For further information please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3532916.stm