A new chapter has begun in an extraordinary South African story.
On 28 July 2026, Presidential Shirt officially opened its flagship Emporium at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, just steps from the iconic Nelson Mandela statue.
The new store brings together heritage, contemporary African design and proudly South African craftsmanship in a destination created to welcome South African clients and international visitors alike.
More than a new retail address, the Presidential Shirt Emporium celebrates a story that began in 1994 and continues to evolve. It is a place where clothing becomes a form of cultural expression, where the legacy of the Madiba shirt is carried forward and where African identity is presented with confidence, elegance and pride.
An iconic South African brand at an iconic address
Few locations could be more fitting for the Presidential Shirt flagship store than Nelson Mandela Square.
The Emporium stands only a short walk from the famous Nelson Mandela statue, placing the brand close to a landmark that represents freedom, leadership and South Africa’s democratic journey.
For Presidential Shirt, the location carries particular meaning. Nelson Mandela was the brand’s first ambassador and his distinctive shirts became an important part of the way he presented himself to South Africa and the world.
The new Emporium gives this heritage a home in the heart of Sandton. It invites visitors to discover not only exceptional menswear, but also the people, artistry and history behind the garments.
Here, African style is not treated as a passing trend. It is presented as living heritage: meaningful, refined and ready for the future.
A launch celebrating identity, freedom and African expression
The official opening brought together ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders, cultural figures and distinguished guests for an evening reflecting the spirit of the brand.
At the center of the program was a powerful question posed to acclaimed actor and playwright Dr John Kani:
“What does it mean to dress like a free man?”
In his reflections, Dr Kani considered the relationship between clothing, dignity and freedom. He spoke about a time when formal respectability was often measured through Western dress codes and contrasted this with the freedom to choose one’s own cloth, express one’s identity and carry one’s culture with pride.
His message captured the deeper meaning of the Presidential Shirt story. Freedom is expressed not only through political rights. It is also present in the choices people can make about how they enter a room, how they represent themselves and how confidently they show the world where they come from.
As his reflections concluded, ten men wearing different Presidential Shirt designs moved through the venue to the sound of pennywhistles. It was a striking visual expression of African individuality: one shared heritage, carried in many different ways.
An evening shaped by South African music and storytelling
Music played an essential role throughout the launch.
Guests were welcomed by the sounds of pennywhistle and soft kwela-inspired guitar, creating an atmosphere rooted in Johannesburg’s cultural history.
Performances by Vusi Mahlasela and Ernie Smith added further depth to the evening. Ernie Smith’s ambient sets accompanied the arrivals and the early proceedings, while Vusi Mahlasela performed ahead of the store’s official opening.
Affectionately known as “The Voice”, Mahlasela also performed at Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration. His presence connected the evening to South Africa’s democratic journey and to the enduring power of music as a carrier of history, memory and hope.
Fashion, music and storytelling came together naturally throughout the launch, with each contributing to a larger expression of modern African identity.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also addressed guests, reflecting on its longstanding relationship with Presidential Shirt and the shared values of service, courage, resilience and integrity that continue to connect the two organisations.
The story continues at Nelson Mandela Square
Presidential Shirt was founded in 1994, when Cape Town designer Desré Buirski gifted Nelson Mandela a shirt shortly before his inauguration as President of democratic South Africa. His distinctive shirts went on to become an internationally recognised symbol of freedom, cultural confidence and African identity.
That legacy was honoured at the launch when Dr Naledi Pandor, Dr John Kani and Justice Albie Sachs joined Presidential Group CEO Robert Sim and Executive Director Geoff Mabote to cut the ribbon and officially open the new Presidential Shirt Emporium.
The moment brought together some of South Africa’s most respected voices in a fitting celebration of the brand’s history—and the beginning of its next chapter at Nelson Mandela Square.
A new home for African craftsmanship
The Presidential Shirt Emporium has been created as more than a conventional clothing store.
Visitors can explore iconic Madiba-inspired designs, signature Presidential Shirts and a broader collection of refined Afro-centric menswear. The environment brings product and storytelling together, allowing customers to discover the cultural influences, design language and craftsmanship behind the brand.
The Emporium is intended for people who appreciate clothing with substance: leaders, professionals, travellers and style-conscious customers looking for something distinctive and authentically African.
Whether selecting an iconic silk shirt or discovering a contemporary interpretation of African design, customers are invited to take home more than a garment. They take home part of a continuing South African story.
It is fashion transformed into living heritage: designed to be worn, experienced and carried forward.
Proudly made in South Africa
Local manufacturing is fundamental to Presidential Shirt.
More than 90% of the brand’s production takes place in Cape Town, where skilled cutters, machinists, pattern makers and finishers transform original designs into finished garments.
This commitment to local production supports employment, protects specialist skills and ensures that the people making the clothing remain closely connected to the brand.
When one of the factories supplying Presidential Shirt faced liquidation, Presidential Group chose to invest in the facility rather than allow it to close. That decision preserved 45 jobs. The operation has since grown to employ more than 100 people.
This commitment gives the words Made in South Africa real meaning. They represent long-term investment, skills development and confidence in the ability of African design and manufacturing to compete at an international level.
Every Presidential Shirt therefore carries two stories: the visible story expressed through its colours, patterns and detailing, and the human story of the people whose knowledge and workmanship brought it to life.
Carrying forward a longstanding partnership
The opening also celebrated Presidential Shirt’s longstanding relationship with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The partnership is grounded in shared values of resilience, service, courage and integrity, as well as a commitment to preserving Nelson Mandela’s legacy and keeping its meaning relevant for future generations.
The relationship was formally renewed in 2018 around the centenary of Mandela’s birth and continues through active partnership initiatives.
For the first 32 days following the Emporium’s launch, 50% of the proceeds from iconic replica Madiba silk shirts sold will be donated directly to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The 32-day initiative marks 32 years since the beginning of the Presidential Shirt story in 1994. It gives customers an opportunity to acquire a piece connected to South African history while contributing to the Foundation’s continuing work in social justice, dialogue and the preservation of Mandela’s legacy.
Visit the Presidential Shirt Emporium in Sandton
The opening of the Presidential Shirt Emporium represents both a homecoming and a step forward.
From one shirt gifted in Cape Town in 1994 to a flagship destination at Nelson Mandela Square, Presidential Shirt has grown while remaining rooted in the values that shaped its beginning: dignity, freedom, cultural confidence and South African craftsmanship.
The new Emporium welcomes South Africans, international travellers, collectors, leaders and lovers of distinctive design to experience the story in person.
Visit the Presidential Shirt Emporium at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton and discover clothing created for those who carry Africa forward.
Africa Dresses Here.
