Aranda Textile Mills: Newsletter, 2026 Q1
More than Manufacturing. It’s About Heritage & Adventure. It’s been a very busy and exciting season here at Aranda Textile Mills.
A blanket is never just a blanket. It’s the first thing that holds us when we arrive in the world. It warms our milestones, traditions and becoming. For 72 years, Aranda Textiles has woven culture, dignity and South African pride into every thread. From Basotho royalty to the Abakhwetha returning home, from Umbhalo traditions to everyday moments that matter.
Still made here. Still employing over 500 South Africans. Still choosing local when the world chooses cheap imitations. This is more than manufacturing. This is heritage. This is jobs. This is home.
We’re proud to share the events we’ve attended and sponsored — each one underlining our dedication to heritage and the people we share it with.
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Young Basotho Designers 2026
Introducing Aranda’s 2026 Young Basotho Designers (YBD). We are thrilled to spotlight the next generation of Basotho creative talent — bold, inspired and ready to shape the future of fashion and design.
The Young Basotho Designers Collection (YBDC) is a bi-annual initiative by Aranda dedicated to spotlighting talented Basotho designers under the age of 45. Through the programme, selected designers bring their original blanket concepts to life — with designs produced, sold and earning them rebates.
At its heart, YBDC celebrates Basotho cultural storytelling through contemporary wearable art.
- Keneuoe Nkuebe aka Jennie Kay
- Khethang Filane
- Lerato Masao
- Moleboheng Rosemary Mahe
- Morapeli Kebise
- Pitso V Shale aka Pitso Rah Makhula
- Teboho Hlehlethe
- Thato Molupe aka Wave Ryder
From visionary concepts to expressive craftsmanship, these young designers are putting Basotho creativity on the map.
Read more about our 2026 Young Basotho Designers Here >
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The Maletsunyane Braai Festival
Held in November 2025, this event continues to position itself as one of Lesotho’s most anticipated cultural celebrations — honouring Basotho identity, creativity and togetherness.
Many of the blankets showcased form part of the Young Basotho Designers programme, empowering creatives to celebrate tradition while exploring new design possibilities.
The three-day festival at Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong featured live music, cultural experiences, braai feasts and fashion showcases — all celebrating identity, unity and craftsmanship.
The Abakwetha Blanket
In Xhosa tradition, blankets carry powerful meaning, marking both beginnings and endings.
The Abakwetha blanket is worn during initiation, symbolising the transition from boyhood to manhood. Its red stripe represents sacrifice, and once the ritual is complete, the blanket is burned to mark the end of childhood.
The Ingcawe is used during both initiation and burial, while the Tribal Black Stripe allows families to personalise blankets with embroidery that reflects individual life stories.
Happy 90th Birthday Dr Esther Mahlangu
We celebrated the renowned Ndebele artist’s 90th birthday. From all of us at Aranda, it is an honour to celebrate your remarkable journey and the vibrant legacy you continue to weave into South African art and culture.
Moshoeshoe Walk
We were honoured to sponsor the Annual Moshoeshoe Walk in Lesotho (5–7 March), a 116km journey retracing the footsteps of King Moshoeshoe I.
We produced a commemorative blanket for the event, celebrating his legacy as a visionary leader.
King Silamba Commemoration
We joined the King Silamba Commemoration at Komjekejeke Cultural Heritage Village — celebrating Ndebele culture, leadership and tradition.
Moments like these remind us why heritage matters.
Proudly South African & Buy Local Summit
Aranda became a Proudly South African member - reinforcing our commitment to local manufacturing.
Ndebele Blanket
The Thweleni blanket symbolises identity, honour and belonging.
My Africa Designer Collection
The Viva Sage throw celebrates African artistry through bold colours and cultural storytelling.
Mara Festival March 2026
We celebrated Basotho heritage at the Mara Festival — Moshoeshoe Day on 21 March 2026.
In closing, we are deeply grateful for your continued support. We look forward to weaving more stories together — one blanket, one moment and one community at a time.
Warm regards,
The Aranda Team
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.aranda.co.za
1 comment
That is wonderful work you are doing there. You did a good on Maletsunyane Braai Festival display that helped me a lot to pull more people to buy blankets in the event. Kannete be prepared if i run out of stock again this year i will come a take those displayed and sell them in my stall to avoid them to be returned to the factory while they could have been to my clients😍😍 they complained too much that they saw a display and when they got to my stall they found then out of stock especially YBDC.