Indonesia and South Africa Weave Stronger Ties Through Fashion Diplomacy
TDS | 29 August 2025
“Fashion is never just about clothes, it is about identity, heritage and storytelling.” These were the words of Dyah Krisnawan of the Embassy of Indonesia in South Africa during a High Tea hosted at the Indonesian Residence in Pretoria, marking the South African launch of Indonesian fashion brand Sroja Warna. “Sroja is blending tradition and modernity with beauty and purpose. We hope that this chapter not only strengthens ties between Indonesia and South Africa, but also inspires collaboration and lasting friendships.”
Her remarks capture the deeper resonance of what has become a key pillar in Indonesia–South Africa relations: fashion diplomacy.
As Indonesia celebrates 80 years of independence—Merdeka, as it is known in Bahasa—the archipelago of over 17,000 islands reflects on its journey as a diverse yet united maritime nation of nearly 300 million people, now the world’s fourth most populous country. At the same time, South Africa prepares to host the 2025 G20 Summit, where Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend in one of his first major international visits since taking office in October 2024.
This historic visit underscores not only political and economic ties between the two nations, but also the cultural threads that continue to weave them together.
From the earliest connections, when Indonesians were brought to the Cape Colony as slaves and formed part of South Africa’s foundational communities, to present-day cooperation through platforms such as IORA, BRICS, and the G20, the relationship between Indonesia and South Africa is longstanding, layered, and increasingly multifaceted.
In this context, the opening of Sroja Warna Indonesia’s first consignment store at The Style Loft in Nelson Mandela Square is more than a commercial expansion; it’s a symbolic gesture. It aligns culture with commerce and frames creativity as a vehicle of diplomacy.
The launch event was officiated by Ambassador Saud Purwanto Krisnawan of Indonesia, who emphasised that this kind of cultural showcasing is not only about aesthetics, but about sparking partnerships and building bridges. Representatives from both nations’ fashion and business communities were present, and conversations on collaboration were central. Guests engaged directly with the Sroja brand, reflecting growing interest in Indonesian fashion and the broader creative economy.
The subsequent High Tea in Pretoria further cemented this commitment. Hosted by the Indonesian Embassy, the event featured a fashion showcase and product presentation, introducing Sroja’s ambitions for deeper market engagement in South Africa, including the planned opening of an independent store.
This momentum reflects an evolving strategy: to leverage Indonesia’s rich heritage and creative industries as a form of soft power. By promoting fashion as both a cultural artefact and economic product, Indonesia is deepening bilateral ties beyond traditional diplomacy.
For President Prabowo’s upcoming visit, these developments in the creative sector provide an important backdrop. They reflect the kind of forward-looking cooperation both countries are pursuing; where trade, culture, and identity converge. As a former Minister of Defence, Prabowo’s international agenda will likely prioritise strategic and economic security, but the growing emphasis on culture, entrepreneurship, and people-to-people exchange suggests a broader vision.
With support from the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre in Johannesburg and sustained efforts by the Embassy in Pretoria, platforms like Sroja Warna are not merely fashion showcases, they are acts of cultural representation and economic diplomacy.
Indonesia’s footprint in South Africa is expanding and it's doing so not just through infrastructure or trade deals, but through colour, cloth, and creativity.
(Photos: Embassy of Indonesia)