How It All Began (2013 – 2015)
Astro Flacko officially started in 2013 found by Tebogo John Ngope with two directors who wanted to create something bigger than clothing — a brand that stood for identity, creativity, and self-belief.
At that time, we were experimenting with designs that reflected who we were and where we came from.
But like many young projects, passion levels changed. Between 2015 and 2016, the other two founders drifted away to follow different interests, and I found myself standing alone with the dream. It was tough, but I couldn’t let it go. The idea of people wearing something that told their story kept me going.
Finding a Real Partner (2016)
In August 2016, The main Founder and CEO “Tebogo John Ngope ” crossed paths with Tebogo Morris Manyane, a name that would become deeply linked with the Astro Flacko story.
He wasn’t a designer — he was a natural promoter with serious online influence. Back then, people like him were known as “felebs” — Facebook celebrities with a loyal local following.
Morris believed in the brand so much that he offered to help for free. He became Astro Flacko’s first official promoter, handling marketing before I even knew how to plan a campaign. I was creating designs, he was pushing them online, and it clicked.
We started showing up at every event we could — music festivals, pop-ups, street markets — anywhere people were gathering. It wasn’t about profit then; it was about presence. The name Astro Flacko started circulating in Hammanskraal and nearby areas because of that grassroots hustle.
Growth, Hustle, and Evolution (2017)
By 2017, Morris got a full-time job, so his support shifted to online promotion. Around that same period, I was teaching myself graphic design and illustration. I was fascinated by how visuals could speak emotion, so I started merging illustration with fashion.
That’s when Astro Toons was born — a sister brand focused on illustration and creative art. While Astro Flacko stayed fashion-focused, Astro Toons became a playground for digital creativity and visual storytelling.
The Pause & Pivot (2017 – 2021)
From 2017 to 2021, Astro Flacko slowed down. The clothing side wasn’t moving like it used to, and I focused on design work under Astro Toons.
When the 2020 lockdown hit, everything changed. With people staying home, I started creating portrait illustrations on canvas — drawing people’s faces and printing them on stretched canvases. It blew up. Customers loved having art versions of themselves, and for the first time, illustration started paying the bills.
That success kept the brand alive when the fashion side was quiet. Astro Toons grew rapidly, and Astro Flacko became a fashion arm under the Astro Toons Creative House.
Stepping Into the Physical World (2022 – 2024)
In 2022, an opportunity came that changed everything. A local pub offered me space for a pop-up store — in exchange for helping them rebuild their audience.
Until then, I’d only sold from my bedroom, social media, or at markets, so this was the first real chance to go public with a shopfront.
From June 2022 to May 2024, we ran that pop-up store. It was small, but it gave Astro Flacko physical visibility and connected us directly with our community. People could now walk in, touch the fabric, see the artwork, and experience the energy behind the name.
Eventually, the space got too small. We were producing both clothing and canvases, so in May 2024, we relocated to a bigger spot that could handle both operations under one roof.
New Beginnings and Loss (2025)
By February 2025, we moved again — this time to our current studio at 1501 Thandako Street, Jubilee Road, Kudube. It finally felt like home — a creative space that represented everything we had built.
Then came one of the darkest moments in my life. On 31 March 2025, Tebogo Morris Manyane passed away in a car accident. He wasn’t just a promoter; he was a friend, a brother, and a believer in the dream from day one.
Losing him was heartbreaking. There was a moment when I thought about stopping everything, but the truth is — Astro Flacko wouldn’t exist without his spirit. So, I decided to keep going, not just for me, but for him too. Every new drop and every canvas now carries his legacy.
Where We Are Now
Today, Astro Flacko is proudly a South African creative brand that blends fashion, art, and community. Ran by The only Founder and CEO “Tebogo John Ngope”
All our clothing is made from imported fabrics, combined and finished locally for that authentic Astro texture and quality.
The studio operates like a small production house — we design, print, and package in-house, controlling every detail from concept to delivery. Our work is deeply influenced by street culture, anime, and everyday life, but it’s rooted in one message: keep collecting — memories, moments, and meaning.
Beyond fashion, we continue building the creative ecosystem we dreamed of back in 2013. Astro Toons handles the illustration and design side, while Astro Flacko remains the heartbeat — the clothing line that represents growth, friendship, and consistency.
Astro Flacko is proof that local creativity doesn’t need permission — just passion, community, and time. What started as three friends with an idea in a bedroom has evolved into a Hammanskraal-born movement.
