In South Africa, brand collaborations are becoming more than marketing moves, they are storytelling, culture, and creativity all rolled into one. From fashion to food, heritage to lifestyle, these partnerships show how brands are connecting with audiences in exciting ways. Here’s a look at 10 interesting brand collaborations we did not see coming.
1. Bonang Matheba × Steve Madden
Bonang’s partnership with global fashion giant Steve Madden began in November 2022 with the “Holiday Select Collection”, celebrating the brand’s 10 years in Africa. It was the first time the company partnered with an African celebrity for a full collection.
The collaboration grew into a long-term creative partnership, releasing new lines in 2023 and again in 2025 with a collection called “ESSENTIALS.”
Bonang’s influence in fashion made her the perfect partner to help Steve Madden localise its global style for the South African market. The partnership blended global glamour with local storytelling and proved that international brands can thrive when they embrace local icons.
2. Rich Mnisi × Foschini
In October 2025, designer Rich Mnisi teamed up with Foschini to celebrate a double milestone: Foschini’s 100th year and Mnisi’s 10th anniversary as a designer. The capsule collection featured his signature prints, bold silhouettes, and a tribute to women in Southern Africa.
The collaboration included a charity auction to support menstrual health for girls. It merged luxury design with accessible retail, making high-fashion creativity available to everyday shoppers, while still supporting a social cause.
3. Toyota South Africa × Old School
Toyota and lifestyle brand Old School launched their fashion partnership in 2025, releasing a collection inspired by iconic Toyota vehicles such as the Hilux and Land Cruiser.
This wasn’t just branded merch, it was a full lifestyle range celebrating Toyota’s cultural footprint in South Africa. Toyota became more than a car brand, turning its automotive heritage into personal identity and self-expression. The partnership also marked Toyota’s expansion into e-commerce.
4. Vicks × Zee Feels
To celebrate Heritage Month in September 2025, Vicks worked with artist Zinhle “Zee Feels” Sithebe to create a limited-edition Heritage Blanket. The blanket featured symbols like proteas, mielies, flag colours, and the Vicks shield, capturing memories of home and comfort.
Vicks donated 250 blankets to charities across South Africa. Many South Africans have childhood memories of Vicks, and this project turned those emotions into an artistic, wearable story, connecting nostalgia, heritage, and care in one unique collaboration.
5. Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards × SABC
The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBA) partnered with SABC as the official media partner for the 2025 awards. The collaboration leveraged SABC’s national reach, 19 radio stations, five television channels, and the SABC+ streaming platform, to amplify the voices and stories of young South African entrepreneurs.
The partnership included:
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Media Coverage: Showcasing youth-owned brands on national platforms.
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Promotional Content: Exclusive interviews with finalists and winners, and pre-event promotions.
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Keynote Address: Delivered by SABC Group CEO, Nomsa Chabeli, inspiring young entrepreneurs to “design tomorrow’s solutions.”
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Driving a National Conversation: Highlighting the importance of youth entrepreneurship in the South African economy.
Founded by brand entrepreneur Pat Mahlangu in 2022, YOBA recognizes outstanding brands built and led by young South Africans. The 2025 awards marked the fourth annual event, with partners including Brand South Africa, MTN Pulse, FNB, and Proudly South African.
6. FlySafair × Bootlegger Coffee Company
Launched on 17 September 2025, the collaboration aimed to enhance the passenger experience with high-quality, local coffee. FlySafair brought Bootlegger’s signature hot drinks into the sky, merging travel and café culture. For travellers, it added a touch of South African comfort, while giving Bootlegger access to an entirely new audience.
7. KFC × Nasty C
KFC and Nasty C teamed up to launch the exclusive Nasty C Triple Sauce Burger, a limited-edition meal inspired by the rapper’s bold flavour and personality. The collaboration blended music and food culture, giving KFC a youthful edge while allowing Nasty C to extend his influence into lifestyle and dining. The burger wasn’t just a product, it was a cultural moment, amplified by music-style visuals, social media buzz, and Nasty C’s creative input.
8. Nando’s × Maybelline
Nando’s and Maybelline collaborated on the #HotMess campaign to launch Maybelline’s Super Stay Vinyl Ink Sauce Lipstick Collection, inspired by Nando’s iconic PERi-PERi sauces. The campaign celebrated realness and confidence, proving the lipstick could survive spicy meals. Shades were named after sauces like Salsa, Sriracha, and Barbecue, and the campaign used fiery food challenges, TikTok tests, and radio spots to show the 16-hour, smudge-proof formula in action. The cross-industry partnership became a standout moment in South Africa, blending beauty and flavour while encouraging authenticity.
9. Tropika × Dairymaid Country Fresh
Tropika partnered with Dairymaid Country Fresh to launch a limited-edition Blueberry Cheesecake dairy-fruit mix in September 2025, available in 500 ml and 2 L bottles. The flavour combined Tropika’s smooth texture with Country Fresh’s blueberry cheesecake taste to create a dessert-in-a-drink experience. The brands suggested an “ultimate float”, a scoop of ice cream poured into Tropika, and promoted the launch on social media using #MoreMomentsToShare and #SmoothMeetsFresh. The limited-edition product rolled out at major retailers and became a nostalgic, shareable summer treat.
10. Tshepo Jeans × Ovi (DJ Maphorisa)
Tshepo Jeans and DJ Maphorisa launched OVI, a limited-edition fashion collection fusing streetwear, music, and South African urban culture. The range includes custom denim, jackets, jeans, T-shirts, and accessories, reflecting Maphorisa’s bold aesthetic and Tshepo Jeans’ craftsmanship.
“OVI”, Pretoria slang for “hot/going to be a hit”, symbolises energy, identity, and swagger, making the collection a true reflection of urban creativity in South Africa.
Final Thoughts
South African brands didn’t just collaborate in 2025, they created culture. From Bonang’s global fashion moment to Nasty C’s triple-sauce takeover and Tropika’s dessert-in-a-drink collab, these partnerships shook the streets, the feeds, and the flavour game. Brand collaborations matter because they allow companies to reach new audiences, combine creativity, amplify impact, and turn ordinary products into memorable experiences. 2025 proved that when brands think bigger together, culture wins.
