From Beadwork to FIFA World Cup: How Margaret Mahlangu Landed a Dream Global Stage Opportunity
As South Africa prepares for its return to the FIFA World Cup stage, the spotlight will not only be on South Africa national football team and the country’s footballing talent. South African culture and artistic excellence will also be on display in North America, thanks to Mpumalanga beadwork entrepreneur Margaret Mahlangu.
The founder of Maggs and Beads, based in Siyabuswa, is among a delegation of artists, influencers and media personalities selected by South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to represent the country during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group forms part of DSAC minister Gayton McKenzie’s deligation to promote South African heritage, creativity and national pride on the global stage.
For Mahlangu, the opportunity has been both unexpected and life-changing.
Speaking from Mexico, where she is supporting Bafana Bafana while showcasing her beadwork, she admitted she is still coming to terms with the honour.
“I still can’t believe what is happening. Even now, it hasn’t fully sunk in,” Mahlangu told SizaNazo-365.
“I never applied for this opportunity and knew nothing about it. I was surprised when I received a call informing me that I had been shortlisted. I can only assume they may have seen my work on social media or at some of the exhibitions where I have displayed my beadwork.”
Showcasing Ndebele Culture to the World
Mahlangu sees the World Cup not only as a football tournament but also as a platform to introduce international audiences to the richness of South African culture.
“What excites me most is that this opportunity came through doing something I genuinely love,” she said.
“Through my beadwork, I am able to showcase Ndebele culture, while also representing South African culture more broadly. I am grateful to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for this opportunity and I want to make the most of it by showing the world what South Africans have to offer.”
Her work draws heavily from the colourful traditions and symbolism of Ndebele heritage, a cultural identity that has gained international recognition through artists such as Esther Mahlangu.
A Journey That Started by Chance
Remarkably, Mahlangu’s career in beadwork began almost by accident.
In 2018, she enrolled in Ndebele painting classes at an art school operated by Dr Esther Mahlangu in Mthambothini Village near Siyabuswa. However, an unexpected break in lessons would ultimately change the course of her life.
According to Mahlangu, Dr Esther Mahlangu and several instructors travelled to Portugal during her training, forcing students to pause their painting lessons until their return.
Rather than remain idle, one of the remaining instructors, also named Esther Mahlangu and primarily known as makaNtando, encouraged her to try beadwork.
The suggestion proved transformative.
“She taught me beadwork while we waited for the painting classes to resume,” Mahlangu recalled.
“When the teachers returned from Portugal, they were surprised to find that I had fallen in love with beadwork. I was no longer interested in painting. I never went back to it.”
Bead Artist Margaret Mahlangu Set to Showcase South African Culture on Global Stage (Image: SizaNazo-365 Media)
That newfound passion eventually led to the creation of Maggs and Beads, a business that has now taken her from a small Mpumalanga community to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Bafana Bafana Ready for World Cup Opener
While Mahlangu represents South African culture abroad, attention is also turning to the action on the pitch.
Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea.
South Africa will begin their FIFA World Cup campaign against Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday in the tournament’s opening match.
For Mahlangu, the occasion carries special significance. As Bafana Bafana aim to make their mark on the world stage, she will be doing the same – using her beadwork to tell a uniquely South African story to a global audience.