Young designer Twala honoured as winner of AmaZulu kit competition

“I questioned if this is a dream, is this real, or am I seeing things? And they verified it with a call,” said Oridile-Thato Twala, winner of the AmaZulu 2025/26 kit design competition.

The competition was a collaboration between AmaZulu and Durban-based clothing manufacturer Primo.

Standing in front of club owner Sandile Zungu, management staff, media and some players, 22-year-old Twala was visibly nervous at the podium. But Zungu reassured him, saying he “must not feel like an imposter” and should be proud of what he had accomplished.

Born and bred in Pretoria, Gauteng, Twala said fashion is not his primary medium, but rather a canvas to showcase his graphic design talents.

“I work on other mediums as well — like designs for cars, company logos and motion pictures. I entered with the intention of showcasing my skills on a T-shirt,” said the University of Johannesburg graduate.

Twala recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and is currently unemployed, but venturing into the business world. His father, Tebogo Twala, is a mining CEO, while his mother, Phyllis Twala, is a manager at a metal company.

He also has two sisters — one older and one younger — who, he joked, “constantly force him to exhibit middle child tendencies”.

“Yes, I have to say I’m guilty of middle child syndrome and constantly look for attention,” he admitted. Keneilwe, the elder sister, works in IT, while Nqobile is still in primary school.

With two sisters and a high-achieving household, there’s little doubt that young Twala has the drive to make a name for himself — whether in art or business. Winning the AmaZulu kit design competition served as the stamp of approval any young creative needs when launching into the professional world.

“I’m hoping this win can open doors for me and help other brands recognise my work. I also want to use the win to hopefully land some new collaborations and show that I am a versatile artist,” Twala said.

Speaking at the shirt ceremony at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, he added: “The submissions were probably in the thousands.

"So, I made my submission and did a lot of praying. Then I got an email from Travis from Primo. He sent me the email and I was like, ‘Is this a dream?’”

“Once everything was verified, my confidence kind of went up a bit. I reminded myself that it’s okay to be here and that submitting the kit design was worth it. So that’s where my courage came from.”

Part of Twala’s prize includes a clothing design internship with Primo Clothing, based in Durban — and AmaZulu confirmed on Tuesday that delivery on that promise would begin immediately.

Zungu praised Twala’s winning design, particularly for how it honours Zulu culture through key elements such as the spear tip and the Umqhele, the traditional headgear worn by Zulu men.

“When the club was originally formed, they went to the royal family to ask permission to use the name, and they gave the team their blessing,” Zungu said.

“So, even today, all these years later, it is still very important to us as a club that we have the Umqhele on our uniform, because it symbolises the great warriors before us.”

“Even you, young Mr Twala — you must wear this win with pride. Do not feel like you have imposter syndrome, because you belong here. We chose your work out of everyone else, and I think it looks quite nice, if I say so myself,” Zungu concluded.