- Founder says the brand is “bigger than personalities” as dispute over the event’s future plays out online
Ntate Stunna, founder of Sesotho Fashioneng, says the 2026 edition of the fashion event will go ahead, amid a public dispute over the control and future of the brand.
In a statement released this week, Stunna said the event faces what he described as the same challenge every year, claims that it cannot continue when someone is no longer involved.
“Someone believes that because they are no longer part of it, the event cannot happen,” he said. “Let me make this clear: Sesotho Fashioneng 2026 is happening,” Stunna added.
His statement follows an announcement that Sesotho Fashioneng is recruiting an Operations and Executive Manager.
Berry Matseletsele responded to the announcement on social media, alleging that Stunna was attempting to take over his event. He further claimed that the 2026 edition would not proceed without litigation.
Matseletsele also questioned the recruitment of an Executive Manager, arguing that it demonstrated that Stunna did not understand how the event operated.
Stunna’s statement does not name Matseletsele and does not directly address the threat of litigation.
Instead, he said Sesotho Fashioneng had grown beyond any one individual, including himself.
“Sesotho Fashioneng belongs to the vision we have built, the people who support it, the people who wear it, and everyone who continues to believe in what it can become,” he said.
He thanked supporters who, he said, continue to defend the brand, correct what they consider misinformation, share its work, purchase its clothing and attend its events.
“You are not just supporting an event. You are helping us build something that is bigger than all of us,” he said.
Stunna also criticised what he described as an imbalance between people’s willingness to promote the brand and their willingness to spread negative commentary about it.
“Please give the same energy to building that you give to rumours about destruction,” he said.
He added that his team would not spend its time responding to everyone claiming that the event would not take place.
“We would rather spend that energy making sure it does,” he said.
Stunna concluded by describing Sesotho Fashioneng as “bigger than personalities. Bigger than disagreements. Bigger than any one individual.”
Ownership dispute
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Ntate Stunna described the brand as “my baby” and said he owns the Sesotho Fashioneng trademarks.
He said he only realised later how significantly the brand had grown, describing its development as “purely growth” and attributing part of its expansion to connections established in South Africa.
Ntate Stunna refrained from mentioning any specific names, but in a question about his relationship with Matseletsele, he said it was a relationship of booking agent and artist but that the two are no longer working together. He said said he would not want to be drawn into any further conversation about him.
Addressing the broader question of contributions to an organisation or brand, Ntate Stunna argued that involvement does not automatically create ownership or entitlement.
He said, however, that he understood Matseletsele’s position.
“When you work for a company and be part of something big, when you leave it’s not your thing,” he said.
The dispute over who controls Sesotho Fashioneng and what role, if any, Matseletsele has in the brand remains publicly contested. For now, Stunna maintains that the 2026 edition will proceed.
Summary
- In a statement released this week, Stunna said the event faces what he described as the same challenge every year, claims that it cannot continue when someone is no longer involved.
- “Sesotho Fashioneng belongs to the vision we have built, the people who support it, the people who wear it, and everyone who continues to believe in what it can become,” he said.
- Ntate Stunna refrained from mentioning any specific names, but in a question about his relationship with Matseletsele, he said it was a relationship of booking agent and artist but that the two are no longer working together.
A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.
* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.
