Bonga Bhengu was born in Ezimbokodweni a place situated in the South Coast of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. He is second born of four, 2 sisters and one brother. He grew up as any boy, he played with different thing that play all boy.
After finishing his matric he went to study Mechanical Engineering at Mangosuthu Technikon after finishing his first semester he did not able to do second year because of financial difficulties. He was forced to drop out from school for the term. His aunt asked him to help her to trace pattern and cut the garment. Alone at home started sewing his mother outfit following pattern book.
His first garment was his mother and did not stop there he start sewing garment for his church. In 1995 he enrolled in the fashion and design technology diploma in fashion designer and technology at MS Sultan Technikon in Durban and graduated in 1998.
His second year he was asked to teach ladies at the weekend at the technikon to sew and pattern. In 1998 Bhengu joined the Young Designer Workshop, under the indomitable spirit of Liz Coetzee, who has a her mission, the development of young black designer. Bhengu was always very ambitious, he always did more than what was required. He always showed a quiet determination to succeed that why I choose him to lead young designer and training at the Institution of Foundation of Entrepreneurial Development. He was teaching at young designer work and Gemini school of Fashion.
Liz gave full time job to lead young designer to another. Thought his leadership in 1999. Some designer were finalist to different fashion competition including himself he was quiet spoken designer who live by example. He was finalist at Durban Designer collection Bhengu with other two designer Scelo Ntshalintshali, Thambani Mavundla were finalist at South Africa Fashion Week, July handcup, and he was invited to MWJ Gold Cup Fashion competition, he won the competition. In middle of 1999 he located to Johannesburg to start Young Designer Workshop, he was involved in fund rising for workshop from more then 100 entries received from 23 African countries.
He was among 16 finalists were chosen of which right were from South Africa, 4 were members of the Young Designer Workshop. Him and Bongiwe Walaza were among the four winners who show case their collection at New York Fashion.
Milestones and Career Highlights
1999, he was finalist at Durban Designer Collection
1999, he was finalist South African Fashion Week
1999, he was finalist at July handicap
1999, a winner at NWJ Gold Cup invited designer
2000, finalist siemens “Be inspired” Mens Fashion Collection
2000, finalist of African Designer competition and winner
2000, showcase his collection at the New York Fashion Week. Robert, a judge in the African Designer Competition described Bhengu’s New York collection as marketable and consumer friendly” kit is practical fashion that is very wearable, CNN / Ebony New York Fashion Week.
2001, showcase his collection at SA Fashion
2002, finalist Standard Bank Vukani Fashion Awards and won it. Phindile Xaba defined him as for advanced in his career belong with the crème de la crème of the country designer.
They define him as quiet spoken designee, is the trail blazer when it comes to gaining an international reputation for melding Afro styling with Western, sensibility and has in most of his collection shown intelligence in playing with colour.
He have shown intelligence in playing with colour, he have showcase his collection many fashion show.
Beginning of 2002, he left Young Designer Workshop went back to Durban. He started Jeanus Fashion Library cc company. He was help student at Gemini fashion academer part time
2002, he showcase at South African Fashion Week.
2004, he left gimini to grew up his business.
2005, he showcase SAA Durban Fashion Week.
2006, he was producing cropeact wear garment he was work with different CMT.
2007, he was choosen as one of the designer of Ifalethu team. With Ifalethu he showcase his collection at MTN Durban.
2008, he showcase at Johannesburg Audi Fashion Week with Ifalethu
2008, he showcase at MTN Durban Fashion Week with Ifalethu
2008, he is finalist at Tebeisa Designer 4 African.
Bonga Bhengu was born in Ezimbokodweni a place situated in the South Coast of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. He is second born of four, 2 sisters and one brother. He grew up as any boy, he played with different thing that play all boy. 