By Nkhensani Mthombeni
- Shikombiso Bila built Maxelo Style from two balls of wool costing R50, into a brand shown at Seychelles Fashion Week.
- Bila was widely known as the Queen of Xibelani, for turning traditional wool skirts into modern, crochet-detailed high fashion pieces.
Shikombiso Bila, the founder of Maxelo Style and widely known as the Queen of Xibelani, has died. She passed away on Saturday, 19 September.
Her journey started small. While at university, she bought two balls of wool for R50 to make beanie hats for her toddler son, Maxelo. She posted them on Facebook, and requests for custom pieces followed.
Encouraged by her growing clientele, Bila left her IT internship to pursue the work full time. She launched Maxelo Style, named after her son.
Bila became known for her xibelani wool skirts and traditional Tsonga attire, worn by artists such as Sho Madjozi. Clients on TikTok and Instagram began calling her the Queen of Xibelani, a name that came to represent luxury Tsonga wear.
She was also called the girl who broke boundaries, for weaving intricate crochet work and modern silhouettes into traditional wool skirts, turning them into high fashion pieces sought after across South Africa.
Last year, she showcased her designs at Seychelles Fashion Week alongside other African designers, taking Tsonga culture onto an international stage.
She was born and raised in Nghezimane village, in the Malamulele area of Limpopo. Her mother Sibongile sold snacks at a local school, and her father Thomas worked as a welder. She had planned to start crocheting classes to help young people earn a living.
Tributes have poured in since her passing. Performer and MC Lance LightYear wrote on Facebook, “SHIKO was a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry and such a beautiful light in her presence. She knew exactly who she was and understood that she was impacting the world, globally.”
Telly Modelling Agency, whose models wore her designs in Seychelles, also sent condolences. The Bila family has asked for privacy, and details of her funeral are not yet known.
Pictured above: Shikombiso Bila, founder of Maxelo Style.
Image source: Supplied
