Masonwabe Ntloko, born 1996, is a South African visual artist and designer. He is a textile design graduate from Nelson Mandela University and has built a distinct visual language, which he approaches as a study under which he creates his work. This study collects information and converts it into art with the aim of preserving isiXhosa language and heritage. His work is directly inspired by where he grew up in Ngwane, Willowvale and the culture of the place and people he grew up with and continues to be a part of.

The Masonwabe Ntloko Studio became officially operational in 2019 after he won the Yogi Sip competition, which led to the creation of four bottle designs that were distributed nationwide in 2020. In 2021, he collaborated with Markham by TFG on a capsule collection that was well received nationally. Later that year, he partnered with Airloom to create the rug collection titled Ilifa Lethu, which took South Africa by storm. After three drops, the partnership ended, and Ntloko decided to work independently to build his own brand and a loyal audience of buyers and collectors.

In 2022, Ntloko collaborated with Warner Music Africa by rebranding the entire company. He has since released a knitwear collection in 2023 titled Ameva Ayabangulana and continues his beloved Ilifa Lethu rug collection with the latest drop in 2025. He also hosted a sold-out solo exhibition independently in 2023 titled Iliso Lomoya.

At the end of 2025, Ntloko unveiled a capsule clothing collection and released several limited edition print collections along the way. Through his multidisciplinary practice, Masonwabe Ntloko continues to explore the intersection of culture, identity, and design, establishing a body of work that is personal, innovative, and deeply rooted in the heritage of his upbringing.

“Iqhayiya Lomanyano” is a capsule collection that draws from the deeply nostalgic joy of childhood in township and village streets. It reflects a time when days were shaped by the excitement of playing sport, where dreams of becoming professional sports stars felt close and possible. The collection captures the rituals and emotions of those moments. Rushing home from school with anticipation, changing out of school clothes, washing socks quickly, and running back outside before the street lights came on. It recalls the resourcefulness of play, where balls were made from bread plastics, tin cans, bricks and whatever else could be found, transformed by imagination into something meaningful.

Through a carefully curated selection of garments, “Iqhayiya Lomanyano” translates these memories into a contemporary form, holding onto the sense of freedom, unity and possibility that defined those experiences. It is both a reflection and a tribute, honouring a shared childhood where community, creativity and dreams were interwoven into every moment of play. Available at HERE.