Journal
Journal · The Stories Behind the Changemakers
A PRINT. A STORY. A LEGACY.
At Nyumbani Fashion, we believe fashion can carry stories.
The Changemaker Print honours two African figures whose lives remind us that education, courage, creativity and knowledge can create change.
Their stories come from a time when colonial systems placed serious restrictions on African people and communities. Yet, they continued to learn, create, organise and imagine something better.
Paul Panda Farnana was a Congolese agronomist, intellectual and advocate for his people.
Born in Nzemba, he studied agriculture in Belgium and later returned to the Congo, where he worked in agriculture and botanical research, using his knowledge to contribute to the development of his country.
During the First World War, he was captured by German forces at Namur in 1914 and spent several years as a prisoner of war in Germany. This experience strengthened his belief in human dignity and equality.
After the war, he dedicated himself to education and the advancement of Congolese people. In 1919, he helped establish the Union Congolaise and later participated in Pan-African congresses.
He returned to Nzemba in 1929 and died in 1930.
NOKUTELA DUBE
1873–1917 | SOUTH AFRICA
Nokutela Dube was an educator, musician, seamstress, organiser and community builder.
She studied at Inanda Seminary and later travelled to the United States to develop her knowledge in music and home economics.
Together with John Dube, she supported African education and community development and contributed to the educational legacy of Ohlange. She also co-authored Amagama Abantu (A Zulu Song Book).
Her story reminds us that creativity, education and community work can become powerful forms of change.
HER LEGACY:
Your knowledge is valuable. Your creativity is valuable. Your voice is valuable.
FROM HISTORY TO DESIGN
The stories became symbols within the print.
1. THE LINES
Inspired by colonial prison bars, they represent the barriers, restrictions and hardships of colonial history.
THE OPENING
The opening represents freedom and possibility — a future beyond those barriers.
THE HANDS, EARTH & PLANT
The hands represent our responsibility to care for African land. The plant connects to Farnana’s work in agriculture and represents what we nurture for future generations.
THE TRIANGLE
Inspired by the roof form associated with the Ohlange educational legacy, it represents education, vision and foundation.
THE TWO CIRCLES
They represent the connection and unity of African countries, despite the different histories and challenges they have experienced.
WHY WE CARRY THESE STORIES
The people before us left more than history.
They left a legacy.
Through fashion, we can keep their stories moving — from one generation to another. Learn. Create. Build. Tell your story.
Reference List
- Africalia creativity is life (2023). Paul Panda Farnana, a life committed to human rights and Canon van Vlaanderen. – Africalia. [online] Africalia. Available at: Africalia.com
- Bokundoli. (2020). Photographie de Paul Panda Farnana dans un camp de prisonniers allemand en 1916. [online] Available at: Bokundoli.com
- Paul Panda Farnana. (2025). In: Wikipedia. [online] Available at: Paulpandawikipedia.com
- Prisons in the Democratic Republic of Congo a series of reports commissioned by the refugee documentation centre, Ireland. (2002). [online] Available at: Here
- Rachleff, P. (2013). The forgotten founding figure of African nationalism. [online] Africasacountry.com. Available at: Here
- Sandile Ngidi (2022). Nokutela Mdima-Dube recognised a century later. [online] Mail & Guardian. Available at: Here
- South African History Online. (2020). A brief history on South African prisons and prisoners. [online] Available at: Here.
- support@ipcoweb.co.za (2016). Nokuthela’s story highlights plight of women in society. [online] Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary. Available at: Here.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2019). History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: Here.
- Www.gov.za. (2016). Freedom park memorialises mama Nokuthela Dube, 22 aug | South African government. [online] Available at: Here.