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Posted Monday 15 June 2026
As the world craves stillness, Africa’s premier design event answers with a theme built around sensory comfort, and the beauty of ease.
Decorex Africa has long reflected how we live, and where we are heading next. For 2026, the continent’s leading design platform introduces The Soft Life, a theme that marks the next phase in its cultural development: a deliberate recalibration of design’s current focus, and shift toward balance, and more intentional living.
In a world defined by acceleration and excess, Soft Life signals a conscious shift away from relentless productivity and toward spaces that restore rather than demand. It is not an escape, but a response — one grounded in the belief that design carries a quiet
power to shape how we feel, how we connect, and how places are understood.
The theme was announced in February at an intimate Women in Design gathering in Cape Town, where industry leaders came together at the Anatomy Design showroom — long-time Decorex collaborators — to open an early dialogue with the continent’s designers, makers and retailers around the role of comfort, care and the female experience in shaping spaces, and the evolving direction of design in Africa.
Over recent years, Decorex has explored the forces reshaping our environments, from sustainability and technology to the systems and cultural shifts influencing how we live and work. Soft Life builds on this thinking, turning attention to the human experience within those spaces that prioritise wellbeing, and clarity, as the new markers of contemporary design.
“This is not a departure from our previous themes, but a natural progression,” says Garreth van Niekerk, Co-Executive Creative Director of Decorex. “We’ve spent years examining the future and the frameworks shaping it. Soft Life reflects what people are now asking for within that future, part of which are homes and experiences that nourish, restore and support how we want to live.”
A central tenet of Soft Life is soft power: the idea that design can quietly shape perception, strengthen reputation and create long-term opportunities through cultural exchange, collaboration and sustained relationships.
It is in this spirit that Decorex Africa announces, for the first time, a new international partnership with Maison&Objet Paris, with South Africa named as the Spotlight Country for the Rising Talent programme at the fair’s September 2026 edition.
“Establishing this partnership has taken an enormous collective eYort and represents a major milestone – not only for Decorex Africa, but for the local design industry as a whole,” says Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director of Decorex Africa. “Our focus has always been on building real pathways for African design. Opportunities like this move visibility into momentum, and momentum into sustainable growth. This marks the first of several international partnerships we will be announcing, all designed to expand meaningful opportunities for local talent.”
At its core, Soft Life celebrates design that is both beautiful and deeply considered. Across installations, products and experiences at Decorex 2026, comfort is positioned not as indulgence, but as intention – with every element curated to invite a slower, more immersive way of engaging with space.
For 2026, this sensibility is reflected through a palette grounded in clay, deep plum, warm coral, sage and other neutrals, but will be juxtaposed beside the neons that occur so vividly in nature, and that are often overlooked: electric limes, neon magentas, ultraviolets. This new visual language also mirrors a broader shift toward design that speaks softly, yet with conviction.
“Comfort is no longer a luxury,” van Niekerk adds. “It’s cultural. It’s becoming the language of how we choose to live and design plays a critical role in shaping that experience.”
Decorex 2026 promises more than an exhibition. It oYers a more complete, immersive experience shaped by the intention to slow down, look closer and rediscover the quiet power of living well.
Welcome to the Soft Life.
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For media queries:
Get in touch with Sinnamon PR – Karabo Mafolo, karabo@sinnamon.co.za.
Decorex Africa is Africa’s premier decor and design platform, bringing together the continent’s most exciting brands, designers and creative voices across two flagship shows in Cape Town and Joburg. Showcasing the best in interiors, furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and lifestyle, Decorex oLers a curated view of design that reflects both global direction and local innovation.
Across both cities, the exhibitions combine immersive installations, designer-led showcases and interactive experiences, creating dynamic spaces to discover new ideas, engage with emerging talent and explore the future of living.
In 2026, Decorex Africa unfolds across:
Decorex Cape Town
25–28 June 2026
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Decorex Joburg
30 July–02 August 2026
Sandton Convention Centre
Both shows run daily from 10h00–18h00 (Thursday–Sunday).
Visitors can explore, compare and shop a wide range of design categories, while enjoying curated features, talks and hospitality experiences that extend beyond the traditional exhibition format.
Tickets and trade registration
Information on ticket purchases and trade registration for Decorex Cape Town and Decorex Joburg can be found at: https://www.decorex.co.za/global/en-gb/Visit.html
About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.
About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has oLices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors
By ThinkArtMedia
Posted Monday 18 May 2026
RMB Latitudes Art Fair will return to Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg, from 22–24 May 2026 for its fourth edition, reaffirming its position as a leading platform for contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Known for its distinctive model prioritising exchange, sustainability and long-term visibility, the Fair brings together artists, galleries and cultural partners in a setting that encourages meaningful engagement with art.
“At RMB Latitudes, we are committed to expanding equitable access to markets and creating meaningful opportunities for artists to connect with new audiences,” says Lucy MacGarry, Co-founder and Director of Latitudes. “Our priority is, and always has been, to put artists first – centring their voices, supporting their long-term visibility, and building pathways for sustainable practice. RMB Latitudes reimagines how the art ecosystem can work more inclusively, for artists and for the wider cultural community.”
Set within the historic terraced gardens and architecture of Shepstone Gardens, RMB Latitudes offers an immersive alternative to conventional art fair formats. Carefully designed indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces combine the intimacy of a curated show with the professional standards and museum-grade presentation expected of major international fairs.
This balance between intimacy and rigour has become a defining feature of RMB Latitudes, combining an oasis-like experience with the credibility and commercial strength of a global art fair.
Nigeria Focus: deepening continental exchange
Continuing its commitment to cross-continental dialogue, the Fair’s 2026 international focus turns to Nigeria, spotlighting one of Africa’s most dynamic creative ecosystems.
“RMB is committed to helping to build a sustainable art economy across Africa and strengthening cultural development,” says RMB’s Alison Badenhorst. “With a strong presence on the continent, we can bridge markets, drive engagement and support artists, curators, collectors and audiences to reach new local and global opportunities. Through RMB Latitudes, we aim to unlock talent and enable creativity to thrive.”
The Focus programme reflects RMB Latitudes’ model of sustained, in-country engagement. In 2025, partnerships in Botswana culminated in a sold-out presentation at the Fair in Johannesburg and new collector relationships for participating artists and galleries. Rather than showcasing countries only during the Fair, Latitudes works with local partners in advance to stage exhibitions, build networks and create context – prioritising long-term exchange over once-off presentations.
“Through the Focus programme, we build genuine relationships on the ground,” says Latitudes’ Boitumelo Makousu. “By working within each country first – meeting artists, curators and galleries in their own contexts – we create presentations that feel collaborative and sustained rather than extractive. Nigeria has a powerful creative community, and we’re excited to deepen those exchanges and bring that energy into the Fair.”
The theme for 2026: Oasis
The 2026 theme, Oasis, reflects on the improbability of creative flourishing in unlikely places. Marking 140 years of Johannesburg – a city founded without access to a major body of water – the theme considers how creativity, like water, sustains and regenerates life in unexpected environments.
“The Fair embraces Johannesburg’s spirit of resilience and renewal, affirming the arts’ capacity to nourish, connect and reimagine the cultural landscape,” says Denzo Nyathi, Curator and Head of Sales. “It also draws inspiration from the gardens that host the Fair each year – a carefully tended pocket of green within an urban context.”
Collaborators and guests alike are invited to join RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2026 in reflecting on how sparks of creativity are found – and sustained – in the most unexpected of environments.
Event details
More information on the Nigeria focus: https://www.latitudesartfair.com/nigeria-focus
Early bird tickets for R320 will be on sale from 11 March 2026.
Website: www.latitudesartfair.com
Instagram: @latitudes.online
Posted Thursday 9 April 2026
The time it takes to yield a coffee bean, the right temperature, an ice-cold glass, the ideal roast: the making of the perfect espresso martini is a story of craft. One that begins with a deep respect for materiality and a commitment to intention.
Launched on 1 April 2026, Weylandts and Fieldbar came together to present a limited-edition collaboration that celebrates the ritual of making. Titled The Perfect Espresso Martini, the collection reflects a shared understanding that considered design, like a well-made drink, is never rushed. It is measured, refined, and purposeful.
At first glance, the two brands appear to inhabit different worlds. Fieldbar is expressive and playful, Weylandts is grounded and rooted. Yet both are united by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, material integrity, and objects designed to be used and enjoyed over time. This collaboration becomes the meeting point where these philosophies converge.
Through colour and texture, the limited-edition Espresso Martini hue with a Natural Coal leather detailing from Weylandts’ collection, draws from the rich Namibian landscape that informs their design language – a palette shaped by the earth, both in tone and tactility.
The collection includes a bespoke Mini Bar, Mini Bar Strap, Drinks Box, Gin Trunk, and Field Bottle, each designed to elevate the ritual of gathering, storing, and serving. Insulated vessels maintain perfectly chilled drinks, while durable stainless steel construction and carefully engineered details ensure lasting performance. Hand-finished leather accents crafted locally by Weylandts add a tactile layer of craftsmanship to each piece.
Together, these objects transform the simple act of preparing a drink into a moment of intention – a considered ritual shaped by design, craft, and shared experience.
Shaped by nature and refined through design, the Weylandts x Fieldbar collaboration is a celebration of where play meets precision, where terrain informs hue, and where craft is sharpened through a shared vision.
When the right ingredients come together, perfection is inevitable.
An Espresso-Soaked Event
To mark the launch, Weylandts and Fieldbar hosted an intimate event in Cape Town on Wednesday, 1 April, welcoming a select group of guests to celebrate the collaboration and experience the collection firsthand. Set at 107 Castle Street, the evening introduced the limited-edition collection through the ritual that inspired it: the making of the perfect espresso martini.
About Fieldbar
The Fieldbar Co. makes elegant outdoor products of exceptional quality, designed and handcrafted by artisans in Cape Town. Drawing on its safari heritage, FIELDBAR products are inspired by a time when outdoor pieces were required to be elegantly simple, technically excellent, sustainably durable, and conveniently portable.
Increasingly known around the world for its high-performing cooler boxes, the company pairs superior thermal performance with timeless design, creating refined investment pieces for life under the sun. Crafted using modern materials and meticulous workmanship, each piece is designed to endure, with repairable, replaceable and recyclable components. Alongside its signature coolers, The Fieldbar Co. is building a considered collection of fine outdoor goods including drinkware and textiles, guided by the same commitment to quality, longevity, and thoughtful design.
About Weylandts
A globally African lifestyle brand, Weylandts is a unique place where raw forms collide with timeless design. As a third-generation business, its philosophy is rooted in nature and guided by an ethos of connection, a legacy of design, and a deep passion for craft.
Making It! 2026 marks 25 years of the Craft and Design Institute shaping South Africa’s creative economy, convening designers, founders, strategists, investors and cultural leaders in the Kramerville Design District from 24 to 25 March 2026.
Since 2001, the CDI has grown from supporting 63 makers to a national network of more than 8,300 creative enterprises across all nine provinces. The sector has evolved. The ambition has sharpened. The conversation now moves beyond participation and into scale.
Making It! is designed for those already established in their field as well as those forging their path. It creates a rare point of connection between leaders who have navigated complex markets and continue to innovate within them, and emerging voices ready to step into that arena.
Across two days, industry leaders, brand strategists, cultural thinkers, fintech experts and founders will unpack what growth really requires: the move from local recognition to national presence, from creative practice to structured enterprise, from isolated talent to connected industry. That shift does not happen by accident. It happens when experience is shared openly, when hard lessons are examined honestly, and when the right people are in the same room.
The speaker line-up reflects a sector coming into its own. Internationally recognised artists sit alongside executives shaping funding and policy landscapes, entrepreneurs building scalable ventures, and systems thinkers interrogating how design operates within broader economic frameworks. These are individuals who have built, repositioned, expanded and endured.
Together, they represent a maturing creative ecosystem: founders who have scaled, strategists who have repositioned brands, academics who interrogate markets, financial leaders who understand infrastructure, and cultural voices ensuring growth remains grounded in identity.
Speakers include:
Shado Twala | Chairperson, Craft and Design Institute (Making It! MC)
Shado Twala is a South African radio DJ, journalist, entrepreneur, and producer, best known as a judge on SA’s Got Talent. She has over 25 years’ experience in radio and television and is also a respected MC and arts consultant.
Wacy Zacarias | Artist, Textile Designer & Researcher
Wacelia Zualo is a Mozambican artist, textile designer, researcher and healing practitioner working at the intersection of material innovation, ancestral knowledge and craft. She is the founder of Woogui, a brand creating sustainable accessories using local materials such as banana fibre and recycled plastic, and co-founder of Karingana Textiles, a studio dedicated to natural dyes, regenerative textiles and storytelling through cloth.
Mbali Mthethwa | Founder & Creative Director, The Herd
Mbali Mthethwa is a Johannesburg-based artist, researcher, and organiser. She is the founder and creative director of The Herd, a craft and design studio that reimagines traditional beading techniques as a living language of identity, memory, and place.
Khensani Mohlatlole | Fibre Artist, Researcher & Content Creator
Khensani is a Johannesburg-based fibre artist, researcher and content creator whose work explores African fashion history, material culture and sustainability through practice-based investigation.
Sanskruti Shukla | Systems Designer & Researcher
Sanskruti Shukla is an Indian systems designer and researcher trained in Textile Design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Her practice positions design as a mode of inquiry, with particular attention to participatory and material-led co-creation as tools for reimagining futures and transmitting endangered cultural knowledge in Global South contexts.
Sinegugu Ngxongo | Founder, BambiZulu
Sinegugu Ngxongo is the founder and creative director of Bambizulu, a craft-based design studio in KZN specialising in contemporary woven products rooted in indigenous knowledge and leads a craft innovation programme exploring the intersection of traditional making and new technologies.
Lucilla Booyzen | CEO, South African Fashion Week
Since launching SAFW in 1996, Booyzen has shaped one of the country’s most influential fashion platforms, mentoring emerging talent and creating real pathways for designers to build sustainable businesses.
Dawn Robertson | Visitor and Creative Economy Catalyst, Jozi My Jozi
Dawn Robertson currently serves as Tourism & Creative Economy Catalyst at Jozi My Jozi, where her expertise in creative storytelling, urban renewal, and sustainable tourism development drives the movement’s transformation of the creative and visitor economy in support of its mission to revitalise Johannesburg.
Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt | CEO, Chocolate Tribe
Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt is a South African CEO, entrepreneur, admitted attorney, writer, and mentor driving the global rise of African Animation, VFX, and Content Development. She is the Founder and CEO of Chocolate Tribe, an award-winning studio based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, recognised as Africa and Asia’s top-ranked Animation and VFX company.
Erica Elk | CEO, Craft and Design Institute
Erica Elk is the founding CEO of the Craft & Design Institute, which she established in 2001. She has spent over two decades growing South Africa’s craft and design sector, supporting thousands of small businesses and expanding digital access and online learning for members.
Beth Arendse | CEO, Business Arts South Africa
Beth Arendse is a visionary leader, social innovator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience shaping South Africa’s creative economy. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), where she is spearheading a new strategic phase that positions the arts as both a cultural force and an investable sector driving inclusive economic growth.
Bielle Bellingham | Brand & Business Director, CHOMMIES
Bielle Bellingham is a business and brand director and cultural strategist with experience in creative direction, design journalism and lecturing. A former Editor of ELLE Decoration, she has worked across leading design platforms and now leads marketing and business strategy at Chommies, helping grow the brand while championing African craftsmanship and design.
Heidi Brauer | Consulting CMO & Brand Advisor
Heidi Brauer is a brand builder, strategist, and thought-starter with a practical explorer’s spirit. Fondly known as the Brand Mama, she blends sharp business acumen with humanity, believing firmly that “it takes a village to raise a brand.” Creator of her trademark ‘sprinkles’ and ‘chocolate cake’ metaphors, Heidi is as passionate about people as she is about brands.
Joey Khuvutlu | Founder & Design Director, Daily Store – Speaker & Facilitator
Joey Khuvutlu is a South African design entrepreneur and founder of Daily and Mitirho Works, a furniture manufacturing studio rethinking how locally made products are conceived, produced and experienced. His work sits at the intersection of industrial design, cultural storytelling and scalable manufacturing — blending contemporary minimalism with African design sensibility.
Andile Dyalvane | Ceramic Artist & Designer
Andile Dyalvane is a South African ceramic artist known for his large hand-coiled terracotta sculptures inspired by Xhosa tradition and the land. He co-founded Imiso Ceramics in 2005, and his work has been shown internationally, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Carlyn Frittelli Davies | Consultant, ENS (Natural Resources and Environment)
Carlyn Frittelli Davies is a natural resources lawyer, having worked for 17 years at ENS, a corporate and pan-African law firm. Carlyn obtained her LLB degree at the University of Pretoria and a post-graduate diploma in environmental law from the University of Cape Town.
Cyril Naicker | Fashion & Culture Strategist
Cyril Naicker is a fashion advisor with over 27 years’ experience, advancing ethical value chains, mentoring designers, and strengthening South Africa’s fashion ecosystem. Drawing on a deep international network, he speaks across Africa and global platforms with a clear focus on locally made, responsible fashion systems.
Dave Duarte | CEO, Treeshake
Dave Duarte is a digital marketer, entrepreneur and educator. As founder and CEO of Treeshake, he creates campaigns that have reached over a billion people — shifting behaviours, shaping policies, and sparking public engagement on issues ranging from public health to renewable energy
Dr Motsane Seabela | Curator of Anthropology, Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History
Motsane G. Seabela is an interdisciplinary scholar and museologist focused on critical heritage and museum studies, as well as indigenous epistemologies. She currently is the Curator of Anthropology at the DITSONG National Museum of Cultural History, Pretoria, South Africa.
Glorinah Mabaso | Founder, Renaissance Design
Glorinah Khutso Mabaso is a South African Interior Designer who found her purpose in Pattern and Product Design. She is also the Founder and Creative Director of a Pan-African brand, RENAISSANCE DESIGN.
Dr Lebogang Matholwane Mathole | Lecturer, University of Johannesburg
Dr Matholwane Mathole is a South African academic, researcher, and specialist in entrepreneurship and luxury markets at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). With a PhD in Economics (the first of its kind at UJ), her work represents a groundbreaking contribution to local economic development by bridging entrepreneurship, economics, and marketing.
Mahlatse Mohlala | Founder & Managing Director, Green Route Hemp Industries
Founder & Managing Director, Mahlatse is the visionary behind Green Route Hemp Industries, with over 6 years of leadership in building South Africa’s first integrated Proudly SA hemp-based textiles business.
Ronald Makomba | Special Projects Lead, Yoco
Ronald Makomba is a commercial leader who has spent over a decade helping South African entrepreneurs turn digital opportunity into sustainable revenue. As part of Yoco’s founding team, he has led growth, expansion and customer functions, building teams and systems that support small businesses from first sale to long-term growth.
Thuli Gamedze | Cultural Worker & Founder, For the Afterlife
Thulile Gamedze is a Johannesburg-based cultural worker engaged in text, textile and history, and interested in the possibilities that emerge through the collapse of discipline. She has an M.Phil in Fine Art from the University of Cape Town, is a current PhD candidate, and has published extensively in art and academic platforms in areas from contemporary art and Southern African art history, to the aesthetics of radical movements, and the politics and poetics of water.
Tracy Lynch | Executive Creative Director, Clout/SA & Design Curator Nando’s
Tracy Lynch is a creative director, interior designer and curator of South African design. She leads Nando’s Design Programme, building long-term collaborations with local designers and bringing contemporary Southern African design into Nando’s spaces around the world. Her work focuses on connecting creatives and sharing African design stories on a global stage.
Prof Emmanuel Nkambule | Architect & Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg
Prof Emmanuel Nkambule is an architect and Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg. His practice, research, and teaching concentrate on the role of architecture in tackling socio-economic and socio-spatial issues in Africa.
Simphiwe Mlambo | Architectural Researcher & Founder of LEBALA
Simphiwe Mlambo is an architectural researcher and founder of LEBALA, a practice that explores how policy shapes material processes, built heritage, and resource use in Southern Africa. Combining research and practice, she produces tools, audits, and policy briefs that influence conservation, planning, and material economies. A lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, she was named one of Scape Magazine’s “100 Voices in Design” in 2024.
Thulani Masebenza | Co-founder & CEO Bloo Money
Thulani Masebenza is a South African entrepreneur and CEO of Bloo Money, a fintech startup that simplifies payments and invoicing for freelancers and businesses. His work focuses on making freelancing sustainable across Africa by streamlining payments, tracking income, and reducing administrative burdens. He holds degrees in Political Science and Management and previously worked in consulting and nonprofit initiatives supporting youth career development.
Nthati Machesa | 3D Artist, Storyteller & Founder of Neotsentle
Nthati Machesa is a South African self-taught 3D concept artist, storyteller, and creator known for the “Royal Heritage Chess Set”. Formerly a corporate professional, she transitioned into a creative role, using 3D animation to educate on African history. She is also recognised for her work in data analytics and as a digital creator.
Documentary Screenings:
Motlatjo Mogoboya | PHD Candidate & Junior Lecturer, University of North West (screening)
Motlatjo Mogoboya is a historian and junior lecturer at the University of North West, currently pursuing a PhD on the representation of Black women in media and literature. Her work combines historical research with film, producing documentaries that explore heritage and social perspectives. She holds an honours and master’s degree in history, focusing on historical storytelling through visual media.
Frances Van Hasselt | Founder, Frances VH Mohair (screening)
Frances van Hasselt is an artist focusing on mohair textiles in South Africa. She collaborates with a team of women artisans in the Karoo, weaving a story about the origins of textiles, simultaneously allowing the natural environment to inform every aspect of their design and making process.
Programme & tickets:
Full programme details are available here.
The conference takes place at Level Three in Sandton, with an evening reception at Katy’s Palace Bar in the heart of the Kramerville Design District.
Tickets are available at Quicket
● Virtual attendance from R850
● In-person attendance from R2,500 for two days
● CDI members receive a 20% discount on in-person tickets
Get ready to curate your experience from a dynamic creative programme as Design Week South Africa 2025 lands in Cape Town for the second year.
Cape Town, South Africa – From 23 – 26 October, Design Week South Africa 2025 will travel from a successful run in Johannesburg to the Mother City.
The official opening party will be held at One Park on Friday 23 October, with DJs from both Cape Town and Johannesburg, while the closing party will be held on Sunday 26th at Cape Grace Hotel with Jazz Alley.
In partnership with Bielle Bellingham, Design Week South Africa’s Simone Schultz has curated The Things We Love exhibition — a collection of local creatives’ favourite South African designed and made items intentionally chosen from their homes. Participants include Masego Morgan, Koos Groenewald and Onesimo Bam. The exhibition will run over the course of Design Week South Africa at 107 Castle Street.
Following a successful launch in Johannesburg, Morning Sessions is a new format that brings dialogue out of a formal stage and into the city’s cafes. Each morning from Thursday to Sunday (9:00 – 10:30) over coffee at Max Bagels at One Park, leading creatives will share the ideas, challenges and inspirations driving their practice over coffee at Max Bagels at One Park. Joining the conversation in Cape Town are guests including Yoko Choy, Wallpaper China, Amy Thompson, Yes & Studio, Max Melville, The MAAK and Star Shongwe from The V&A Watershed.
Ari’s Listening Room will pop up again at TONIC’s Cape Town showroom, with sound by Bang & Olufsen. Running from Thursday to Saturday, each two-hour listening session will be facilitated by an artist and vinyl collector.
Exclusive studio tours include designers Laurie Wiid of Wiid Design, Ploy and Guy of Hoi P’loy, Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx, and a tour of the new mixed-use Longkoof Precinct in Park Road by dhk architects and Studio Mass.
Other highlights include launches by Cape Cobra, Curacion Collection, Yamkela Mhlelehlele and a MAISON KOTR installation at Arthur’s Mini Super in Sea Point. Furniture designer Tshidzo Mangena of Locha Design will launch his new outdoor furniture collection, Akan, with a lounge installation activating the street outside One Park in Park Road on Friday 23rd October.
Design Week South Africa Founder Margot Molyneux says, ‘The programme is intentionally dense, offering a rich mix of events and experiences. Attendees are encouraged to curate their own journey through the four days when the city itself will be alive with activity, offering countless ways to engage and explore.”
Beyond the City Bowl, Open Langa kicks off on 26 October 2025 with a special Open Streets Day, transforming King Langa Libalele and Lerotholi Avenue into vibrant, car-free public spaces to walk, play and connect. Anchored by the ReBuilt Cape Town exhibition at 16 on Lerotholi by Bauhaus Earth and local partners such as the Masakhe Foundation and African Centre for Cities, the exhibition will be open to the public, and on the 26th the road will be pedestrianised and closed off to cars.
The Active Mobility Forum will lead a community ride from both the CBD and Khayelitsha, marking the start of weekly street closures that celebrate movement, culture and the reimagining of Cape Town’s streets for people.
And for the first time since its launch, the Soweto-Caracas Community Centre will open to the public for a special site visit on Saturday 25 October. Hosted by Young Urbanists and Urban Think Tank Empower (UTTE), the visit offers a rare look inside this landmark in community-led design and local upliftment in Khayelitsha. YU and UTTE will partner with Loop Taxi to provide transport, with security on site. RSVP is essential, as seats are limited to 39 people at a small cost — all proceeds will go directly to the local community.
Young Urbanists member and Design Week curator Roland Postma says, ‘It’s important for any contemporary design programme to be as democratic as possible for the public to interact, but also include design related topics like urban planning to architecture. South Africa is largely an urbanised country, and design holds the keys to not only address apartheid spatial planning but also to forge the contemporary African city — one that doesn’t simply copy the extractive, consumption-driven urbanism of malls, gated estates and golf courses that have drained life from our streets and polluted our cities. Through Design Week, we seek to empower young designers and challenge what the South African dream could be through the better design of our physical spaces.’
Proud sponsor of Design Week South Africa 2025 in both cities, the V&A Watershed encourages visitors to come and see Cape Town’s design story next week. The hub has brought together 300 small creative businesses, where they can share their stories and products with visitors from home and around the world. Over the four days, enjoy an art walk, photo walk, craft and conversation corner, the Artist Alliance Creative Allies exhibition, Zeitz MOCAA tours, a MADE creative workshop featuring Nammu Ceramics, Pichulik and Suzanne Elizabeth, Watershed Maker-led experiences, and more talks. Attendance is complimentary but you must RSVP to secure your spot.
Design Week South Africa 2025 is curated by South Africans passionate about this country’s design sectors, the creative economy and growing pride and acknowledgement of South African and, more broadly African, design. The core team comprises Margot Molyneux, Zanele Kumalo, Roland Postma and Simone Schultz, while a broader advisory team, including local and international industry leaders, has also been formed, with members announced later this month.
Having spent 10 years building her namesake clothing studio, Margot Molyneux, a manufacturer and retailer of boutique collections of men’s and womenswear, Margot more recently turned her attention to the world of media, specifically focusing on interiors, architecture and decor, fulfilling the role of Managing Editor of House and Leisure publication and General Manager at independent publisher LOOKBOOK Studio. 2024 brought the launch of, Design Week South Africa, a seemingly natural career transition as she combined her love of design and storytelling with her enthusiasm for the local creative industry and its growth and development.
Since joining the biggest Sunday newspaper and working in various roles at the top lifestyle publications in the country, Zanele Kumalo continues to partner with premium brands to create and lead communities built around the creative economy – art, culture and design. With a twenty-year career in media, marketing and communications that sees her growing the now six-year-old boutique content studio whatzandidnext, she works as the Johannesburg liaison for Soho House Cities Without Houses, a global members club; the founding director of kumalo | turpin, a newly launched contemporary art space in Johannesburg; and on other projects.
Roland Postma believes that building people-first cities is a necessity, not an idealistic goal. With a first class Honours in Urban and Regional Planning from RMIT in Melbourne, he is currently the Managing Director at Young Urbanists NPC, where he aims to inspire a new generation of thinkers and doers around city design and management. Through co-founding the Active Mobility Forum and the public-private partnership Safe Passage Programme with the SDI Trust, he wants to prove that change is possible by providing solutions to local governments around the areas of housing, urban design and transportation.
Following on from her position as editor-in-chief of Asia’s leading design publication, Design Anthology,Simone Schultz brings an international perspective and understanding of the global creative landscape and its evolving narratives. She has spent a decade working with stakeholders in Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and beyond at the intersection of design and media, helping designers, architects, thought-leaders and brands communicate their stories across mediums, geographies and contexts. Her involvement in Design Week South Africa marks her renewed focus on her home continent, where she will draw on her global experience to help build a window into and a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world.
Visit designweeksouthafrica.com
Follow @designweeksouthafrica on Instagram
Email info@designweeksouthafrica.com
The Design Week South Africa brand identity was created by Hoick @hoick. Poster illustration by Koos Groenewald @kooooooos.
Launched in 2024 with more than 90 activations, discussions, showcases, workshops and exhibitions across Johannesburg and Cape Town, Design Week South Africa aims to be the country’s leading design platform. Happening in Johannesburg from 9 – 12 October and in Cape Town from 23 – 26 October 2025.
Posted Monday 6 October 2025
Posted Monday 6 October 2025
From 9 – 12 October, Johannesburg will come alive as Design Week South Africa 2025 returns, spotlighting the city’s creativity, innovation and bold design thinking. For its second edition, the four-day programme introduces Morning Sessions, a new format that brings dialogue out of a formal stage and into the city’s cafes. Each morning, from Thursday to Sunday (9:00 – 10:30am), leading creatives will share the ideas, challenges and inspirations driving their practice over coffee in intimate, relaxed gatherings — no slides, no presentations, just insight, curiosity and connection.
Curator of Morning Sessions, Simone Schultz shares, ‘With our inaugural Morning Sessions programme, we hope to encourage design discourse at its most human. We believe that the future of South African design won’t be decided only in boardrooms or established institutions, but in these moments of generous exchange between creative practitioners and an engaged, culturally conscious audience.’
Keyes Art Mile, Victoria Yards and 44 Stanley, three of Johannesburg’s most dynamic cultural precincts, will host an immersive programme of exhibitions, talks and pop-ups showcasing the breadth and diversity of African design.
Highlights in the Milpark complex include Africa Textile Talks at The Bioscope and The Library of Things We Forgot to Remember, curated by Tandekile Mkize and presented by Twyg in partnership with The V&A Watershed, alongside an Ivorian jewellery pop-up at Yä-de, innovative lighting conversations at Wat Wat and The Story of Sari for Change installation, which reimagines heritage textiles into one-of-a-kind garments while celebrating the empowerment of women artisans.
In Rosebank, 223 Creative Hub will host a tufting workshop by Fybre Studios, while Keyes Art Mile has partnered with Blaque Inq Contemporaries for an exciting exhibition and artist walkabout, by visual artist Lehlogonolo Masoabi.
Victoria Yards will see a sustainable garden design workshop by Plenty Green Africa, a pop up by streetwear brand FRNDLY SA — with an exciting t-shirt collaboration with Design Week South Africa — and a multi-disciplinary exhibition, Price of Gold, by seven artists and four designers, including Jack Markovitz, Klein Muis and Francesco Mbele. Centred around an imagined future for the city of Johannesburg, the exhibition will also host talks from the artists and designers involved.
Across the road, at Nando’s Central Kitchen, Jozi My Jozi will be revealing their latest creative campaign, Babize Bonke – meaning ‘call everyone’. Featuring extraordinary local champions who are shaping Johannesburg from the ground up, the exhibition will be accompanied by a series of talks.
Around the rest of the city, workshops, studio open days and immersive experiences offer a deeper dive into the city’s design scene, while Soho House will host a curated salon in partnership with Perfect Hideaways. Visitors can also explore a hard-hat tour of a soon-to-open lifestyle development, intimate listening-room experiences, film screenings and Garden Day celebrations, among other surprises.
Meanwhile, in Soweto, Creative20 will launch The Annual Kasiology Festival in collaboration with Jozi My Jozi, marking a township-based celebration of design, creativity and lifestyle that coincides with the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa.
“Both 44 Stanley and Keyes Art Mile embody the spirit of independent creativity and African innovation, making them natural partners for Design Week South Africa,” says Margot Molyneux, founder of Design Week South Africa. “We are thrilled to present activations that reflect the depth, diversity and energy of the continent’s design community — and to invite the world to see how South Africa’s designers are shaping the future.”
Design Week South Africa 2025 is curated by South Africans passionate about this country’s design sectors, the creative economy and growing pride and acknowledgement of South African and, more broadly African, design. The core team comprises Margot Molyneux, Zanele Kumalo, Roland Postma and Simone Schultz, while a broader advisory team, including local and international industry leaders, has also been formed, with members announced later this month.
Having spent 10 years building her namesake clothing studio, Margot Molyneux, a manufacturer and retailer of boutique collections of men’s and womenswear, Margot more recently turned her attention to the world of media, specifically focusing on interiors, architecture and decor, fulfilling the role of Managing Editor of House and Leisure publication and General Manager at independent publisher LOOKBOOK Studio. 2024 brought the launch of, Design Week South Africa, a seemingly natural career transition as she combined her love of design and storytelling with her enthusiasm for the local creative industry and its growth and development.
Since joining the biggest Sunday newspaper and working in various roles at the top lifestyle publications in the country, Zanele Kumalo continues to partner with premium brands to create and lead communities built around the creative economy – art, culture and design. With a twenty-year career in media, marketing and communications that sees her growing the now six-year-old boutique content studio whatzandidnext, she works as the Johannesburg liaison for Soho House Cities Without Houses, a global members club; the founding director of kumalo | turpin, a newly launched contemporary art space in Johannesburg; and on other projects.
Roland Postma believes that building people-first cities is a necessity, not an idealistic goal. With a first class Honours in Urban and Regional Planning from RMIT in Melbourne, he is currently the Managing Director at Young Urbanists NPC, where he aims to inspire a new generation of thinkers and doers around city design and management. Through co-founding the Active Mobility Forum and the public-private partnership Safe Passage Programme with the SDI Trust, he wants to prove that change is possible by providing solutions to local governments around the areas of housing, urban design and transportation.
Following on from her position as editor-in-chief of Asia’s leading design publication, Design Anthology,Simone Schultz brings an international perspective and understanding of the global creative landscape and its evolving narratives. She has spent a decade working with stakeholders in Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and beyond at the intersection of design and media, helping designers, architects, thought-leaders and brands communicate their stories across mediums, geographies and contexts. Her involvement in Design Week South Africa marks her renewed focus on her home continent, where she will draw on her global experience to help build a window into and a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world.
Visit designweeksouthafrica.com
Follow @designweeksouthafrica on Instagram
Email info@designweeksouthafrica.com
The Design Week South Africa brand identity was created by Hoick @hoick. Poster illustration by Koos Groenewald @kooooooos.
Launched in 2024 with more than 90 activations, discussions, showcases, workshops and exhibitions across Johannesburg and Cape Town, Design Week South Africa aims to be the country’s leading design platform. Happening in Johannesburg from 9 – 12 October and in Cape Town from 23 – 26 October 2025.
By Alison Fyfe
Posted Monday 14 July 2025
Posted Monday 14 July 2025
The fifth edition of Africa Textile Talks – the continent’s leading forum for debate and action on fashion, textiles and sustainability – will challenge delegates to imagine a future where garments are living expressions of care, repair and regeneration.
Tickets are on sale for the event at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from 29–31 July, and co-producers Twyg (South Africa) and Imiloa Collective (Mauritius) say visitors can look forward to networking with leading designers, manufacturers and visionaries from Africa’s textile ecosystem.
The theme of the 2025 summit – Thread with Care – will also be reflected in a week-long exhibition of natural, innovative African fibres and textiles at Church House in Cape Town city centre, and Twyg founder Jackie May says it’s all about understanding the potential of the textile industry as a force for positive change.
“By sharing the work of industry pioneers, sustainability experts, practitioners and artisans, we can help shift the textile, craft and fashion sectors and influence a move towards more nature-friendly consumption and production,” she says. “Collective action is needed. No one person, brand or company can do it on their own.”
Priya Ramkissoon, the founder of Imiloa Collective, says the summit is an opportunity to help shape the future of African textiles and circular design, an approach that aims to eliminate waste and keep materials in use for as long as possible.
“We’ll be exploring ideas at the intersection of fashion, craft, culture, sustainability and the circular economy, aiming to build the growing African community of changemakers, and inspiring partnerships, creative solutions and long-term impact,” she says.
Africa Textile Talks 2025 begins on Tuesday 29 July with a day of conversations exploring how circular design, recycling systems and extended producer responsibility policies can reshape the future of fashion and textiles. Speakers and panellists will include:
● David Torr, co-founder of Faro, which sells the surplus stock and returned apparel of top fashion brands at reduced prices.
● Luleka Zepe from the Elamilina Environmental Project in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, who works through the Refashion Lab and other projects to repurpose waste fabric.
● Gary Erasmus, the managing director of Connacher, which turns waste from the clothing and textile industries into reusable fibre.
● Jesse Naidoo from Clothes to Good, which provides sustainable jobs and micro-business opportunities for people with disabilities through a clothing recycling programme.
Wool will be the focus on Wednesday 30 July, when farmers, processors, designers and retailers will discuss opportunities for greater traceability, the role of regenerative grazing, and new thinking about wool’s role in circular fashion. Speakers and panellists will include:
● Deon Saayman, the CEO of Cape Wools SA.
● Monica Ebert, The Woolmark Company’s business development (sports and performance) and sustainability manager in the Americas.
● Matthew van Lingen, a Karoo sheep farmer who uses regenerative practices to care for his land and livestock while producing premium fibre.
● Gugu Peteni, a luxury fashion designer who explores how wool’s legacy and local availability can combine with innovation and style.
The final day of conversations on Thursday 31 July will celebrate the diverse worlds of making and manufacturing textiles in Africa. Speakers and panellists will include:
● Maria Caley, a lecturer at the University of Namibia whose textiles are inspired by Kavango traditional baskets and other indigenous crafts.
● Muturi Kimani, the founder of Texfad in Uganda, which uses natural fibres from waste banana stems to produce textile yarns, carpets and fabrics.
● Wacy Zacarias from Mozambique, who uses her knowledge of medicinal indigenous plants to create natural dyes for her “healing textiles”.
● Danayi Madondo, a Zimbabwean fashion designer and textile artist whose creativity is rooted in regenerative materials and waste reduction.
Curator of the Africa Textile Talks exhibition Tandekile Mkize says that in African traditions, cloth is more than a material. “It is a medium for storytelling, resistance and transformation. It holds the power to heal wounds – both personal and planetary. It can be designed and produced to nurture rather than deplete, to restore rather than pollute.
May says, “We invite designers, artists, artisans and thinkers to join us at Africa Textile Talks and reflect on how fabric can be a force for well-being, sustainability and renewal in a fractured world.”
V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
29–31 July 2025
Tickets are available from Quicket.
Africa Textile Talks is supported by the V&A Watershed, H&M Group, Faro, Fedisa, Cape Wools SA, Mohair South Africa and Polo South Africa.
Media representatives contact nobanzi@twyg.co.za
WOOL WORLD: A Sensory Exhibition ‘Beneath Karoo Skies’ at Karoo Winter Wool Festival 2025
Posted Monday 30 June 2025
This July, the iconic Karoo landscape will provide the backdrop for a bold new cultural experience: ‘Wool World: Beneath Karoo Skies’, a sensory exhibition curated for the Karoo Winter Wool Festival, 4–5 July 2025.
Curated exclusively for the Karoo Winter Wool Festival, this immersive showcase is the result of a creative collaboration between South African fashion house Viviers and design studio Hōven. Made possible by Cape Wools SA, the Wool World invites visitors to explore the emotional, cultural, and tactile beauty of South African
wool through a carefully woven narrative rooted in place and tradition.
Through a tapestry of art, fashion, furniture, and design, Beneath Karoo Skies draws inspiration from the seasonal rhythms of the Karoo and the deep-rooted bond between nature, fibre, and craftsmanship. The exhibition creates a contemplative space that honours the artisans, designers, and natural landscapes that give
South African wool its global significance.
A sensory exhibition, ‘BENEATH KAROO SKIES,’ explores the abstract emotions and sensory nostalgia, upon reflecting on the seasons in the Karoo; cyclical changes transformed and embodied through art, fashion, furniture, and design—a Wool World, celebrating the richness of South African wool and the hands of the artisans who transform this wonderful fibre.
The Wool World Opening will take place on Friday 4th July at 16:30 at the Dwarsvlei Guest Farm in a raw authentic shed which is ordinarily used as a Shearing Shed for the farm’s merino flock. The first 100 visitors will receive a complimentary glass of Babylonstoren wine to enjoy while they appreciate the beauty of the Karoo and the magic of Wool. The exhibition will be open for the public to explore on Friday 4th July 16:30 – 19:00 and Saturday 5th July 16:00 – 19:00, entrance included in the Karoo Winter Wool Festival’s daily festival ticket of R50 per person per day. Tickets to the Karoo Winter Wool Festival can be purchased on Quicket.
Featured Contributors
The exhibition proudly features the work and collaboration of the following artists, designers, and brands:
Anette Mathews
Anika Lötter
Babylonstoren
Button Brothers
Button Brothers x Quenti Alpaca
Cape Cobra Leathercrafts
Chantel Zalainskalns
Christine Jacobs
Cina Myburg
Coral And Hive
Crystal Birch
Denise Louw
Fields
Found + Fibre Studio
Frances VH Mohair
Gerber & Co
Gerrit Myburg
Greyroom
Hannah Macfarlane
Heino Schmitt
Houtlander
Karoo Baba
Karoo Baba x VIVIERS
Karoo Creations
Karoo Moon
Knotty Habit Wool
Laura Schultz
Leila Atelier
Linda Nessworthy Quenti Alpaca
Louis Mulinder
Luminousware
Maddelein Anderson
Maxhosa
Michaela Young
Michelle Labuscagne
MmusoMaxwell
Myrtle Edwards
Nina Kruger
Pamela Mcgcurk
Polo
Pulp Paperworks
Ronel Jordaan x Arrange Studio
Samil Natural Fibres
Stephanie Bentum Textiles
Thabo Kopele
The Ananta Sisters
The Vineyard Weavers
Uniform
VIVIERS
VIVIERS x Cape Cobra Leathercrafts
VIVIERS x Mason
Wanda LePhoto
Wiremaven
Wrapt Knitwear
Event Details:
Karoo Winter Wool Festival- Wool World
Friday 4th July 2025 16:30
Saturday 5th July 2025 16:00
Dwarsvlei Farm, Middelburg, Eastern Cape
Media Enquiries
Email: info@karoowinterwoolfestival.com
Website: karoowinterwoolfestival.com
Social Media: @KarooWinterWoolFestival
Hashtags: #WoolWorld2025 | #karoowinterwoolfestival
RMB Latitudes Art Fair Returns for its Third Edition in 2025
Posted Tuesday 8 April 2025
Presented by Latitudes Online in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), the Fair has become a standout event on Johannesburg’s cultural calendar, celebrated for its unique, immersive approach to experiencing contemporary African art. By moving beyond the confines of a traditional fair venue, RMB Latitudes invites visitors to explore art in a dynamic and multi-sensory environment – wandering through distinctive indoor and outdoor spaces, pausing for a leisurely lunch in lush gardens, engaging in thought-provoking conversations, and contemplating sculpture beneath Johannesburg’s crisp autumn skies.
Participating exhibitors
This year, RMB Latitudes Art Fair is excited to be working with 50 galleries and with over 300 artists showcasing their talent over the course of the weekend. From major local galleries such as Southern Guild, Stevenson and Everard Read to nomadic gallery FEDE Arthouse, Strauss & Co auction house and new Nigerian space AMG Projects, every aspect of the art ecosystem is represented. To view the full list of 2025 participating exhibitors, visit latitudesartfair.com/exhibitors-2025.
Co-Production
“This year’s theme of CO-PRODUCTION is a nod to the Fair’s central ethos of working collaboratively with and connecting all players in the art industry,” says Lucy MacGarry, co-founder and director. “The theme sees galleries, artists and institutions come together to create an exciting programme of exhibitions and special projects, exemplifying the truly African sentiment of what is possible through collaboration.”
Special Projects
The Fair’s 2025 International platform takes a deliberate and engaged focus on neighbouring country Botswana, with several exhibitors working collaboratively to create a presentation that respects the balance between contemporary art and more traditional, foundational art practices in that region.
INDEX, an annual focus on independent artists, is curated by artist Bonolo Kavula. In her tenure as INDEX curator, Kavula’s exhibition seeks to highlight the rich depth of abstract art. Kavula mentors her chosen artists, in posing questions that force them to think deeper about abstraction, and what it is they are abstracting.
In the gardens, an outdoor exhibition Disturbed Currents: Art for a Warming World explores how it is that we inform the climate, and how it, in turn, informs our own lived experience, while ESSAY sees stoneware sculptures by doyenne of South African ceramic sculptors, Amalie von Maltitz, shown alongside charcoal drawings by Sydney Kumalo.
Through all of these (and more) Special Projects, and the works of 50 exhibiting galleries, RMB Latitudes strikes a perfect balance between the serious business of the art world and the sheer joy of engaging with creativity in an open, welcoming space. This curatorial approach embraces an intergenerational and diverse audience – whether seasoned collectors or first-time visitors – broadening access to art while fostering sustainable economic growth in the sector.
Expanding Impact Beyond the Fair
“Our growing partnership with Latitudes – not only on the Fair but also through initiatives like RMB Latitudes CuratorLab, a mentorship programme for aspiring curators across the continent, and RMB Latitudes Collectors’ Circle, a growing community of like-minded art enthusiasts – aligns with our mission to unlock and celebrate creative talent,” says RMB’s Chief Marketing Officer, Alison Badenhorst. “Like the partnership between RMB and Latitudes, the relationship between creativity and optimism is an extremely positive one. Creativity fuels optimism and optimism fuels creativity.”
Get Your Tickets
Tickets for RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2025 are on sale. Visit latitudesartfair.com/tickets to book before they sell out.
The Sunday Street Experiment on Bree: an open invite to ‘Play’
The Sunday Street Experiment on Bree: an open invite to ‘Play’
The Weekly Bree and Shortmarket Street Experiment continues – a new tool, initiative, and activation to reimagine the city’s streets to be for the people, not cars.
Launched during Design Week South Africa in October last year, the weekly Sunday Bree Street experiments is a collaboration between Urban Mobility, the Mayor’s Office at the City of Cape Town, Young Urbanists, and Street Experiments Afrika. One Sunday, there’s an open-to-all bouncing castle, street cricket, and chalk fun. The next, a spontaneous strangers picnic, or sewing a community-scale picnic blanket the lenght of Bree Street… In all of their efforts, the initiative aims to test a simple question: ‘What if Bree and Shortmarket streets were closed to cars? What impact – positive or negative – would it have?
Listed among many, the recently launched ‘Ask Me Anything’ series is a month-long initiative aimed at providing aspiring creative professionals and interested individuals with key insights from leaders in various fields through meaningful one-on-one conversation on the stoep of the Duck Duck Goose store at 120 Bree Street. Happening every Sunday in March, as a part of the Sunday Bree Street Experiments, participants will be able to RSVP for a 10-minute time slot to sit down with the full attention of an established industry professional (such as Gabrielle Kannemeyer or Lukhanyo Mdingi) on the store’s bench.
The Sunday Street Experiment on Bree has demonstrated an increase in local business sales, with communities enjoying a safe space to walk, explore, play, and reimagine. Each week, different communities are dedicated to reimagining Cape Town streets like Bree for people, not cars.
Local streets are public spaces, not just car spaces. “We believe if we can get this balance right, Cape Town can truly become a place for everyone to make it a design destination where mobility is not just limited to private transportation or being subjected to dangerous streets for active mobility users,” says Roland Postma, Managing Director at Young Urbanists NPC and Curator at Design Week South Africa.
To learn more visit duckduckgoosestore.com | designweeksouthafrica.com/duckduckgoose/ and follow @duckduckgoosestore & @designafricasouthafrica
WHEN: Every Sunday
LOCATION: Bree Street, Cape Town City Center
CONTACT: info@designweeksouthafrica.com
Posted Tuesday 18 February 2025
In the spirit of PLAY – the theme of House and Leisure’s latest edition – guests are invited to an exclusive visit to the historic Art Deco penthouse of Lezanne Viviers at Mutual Heights, also featured in the magazine’s most recent issue. This unique collaboration celebrates the intersection of heritage, contemporary design, and sustainable craftsmanship, set against the backdrop of one of Cape Town’s most iconic buildings.
Marking its first iteration at Mutual Heights, NURU African Collective Showroom will officially launch during this event, offering an exclusive showcase of the continent’s finest creativity.
The showroom features renowned designers Daisie Jo, IAMISIGO, Viviers, The Bam Collective, and Kat van Duinen, alongside celebrated design studios such as Ethereal Candle Crafters, Bare, Okra, Frances VH Mohair, Stephanie Bentum Textiles, Water Dixon, Wiid Design, In Company, Arrange Studio, Edition Verso, Pulp Paperworks, Moho, Maddelein Anderson, Sera Holland, and Roche van den Berg. Expanding into the realms of art and ceramics, the showroom will also present works by Marlene Steyn, Lezanne Viviers, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Gabrielle Kruger, Eva Losada, and Driaan Claassen.
A curated selection of accessories will be on display, including hats by Crystal Birch, Earth Age, and Milliner, bags by Cape Cobra Leathercrafts and Seven, and artisanal jewelry by Tinsel and Adele Dejak. The sensory experience is further enriched with fragrances from House of Gozdawa and Saint d’Ici and more.
With the support of NURU African Collective Showroom, alongside partners Local Studio, Studio Botanicus, and Studio H, this collaboration connects designers, artists, and artisans with collectors who appreciate the synergy of heritage, contemporary design, and sustainable craftsmanship. Discover, connect, and celebrate the future of African design in an extraordinary space where tradition meets bold new narratives.
LOCATION: Apartment 1101, Mutual Heights,
14 Darling Street, Cape Town City Center
DATE: 18th February – 23rd February
TIME: 9:00 – 17:00
By Ten x Collective
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, which takes place from 21 to 23 February 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), is delighted to announce its exhibitors for the 12th edition of the fair and introduce its first highlights.
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair remains the largest contemporary art fair on the African continent, featuring 124 exhibitors from across the globe, including top galleries from Europe and the US specialising in contemporary art.
For the first time, galleries from Tokyo and Kuwait City are taking part in the fair.
The 2025 edition of the fair will feature 30 first-time exhibitors, the largest group of new galleries in the event’s history.
More than half of the exhibitors are returning to the fair, drawn back by the vibrant energy of Cape Town with its dynamic art scene and reputation as the key art hub of the African continent.
Independent consultant and curator Céline Seror will take the reins of the SOLO section, while Egyptian curator, writer and researcher Heba El Kayal from Cairo will curate the Generations section.
The Lookout section, dedicated to emerging galleries that have been operating for under five years, returns.
The 2025 fair will also showcase the second iteration of its ‘Cabinet’ series: Cabinet/Trophy: Playing the Field, curated by Exhibition Match (Alexander Richards and Dr Phokeng Setai).
The fair continues to take art beyond the confines of the fair by activating Cape Town’s buzzing inner-city and surrounds through the Unbound City public programme, including an Art Fair Hub to enjoy after hours.
Each year, Investec Cape Town Art Fair attracts more than 30 000 art collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe for a showcase of the very best contemporary art from Africa and around the world.
The 2025 edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair welcomes more than 30 new exhibitors (including galleries from Europe, the US and other African countries outside of South Africa), including 11 new South African galleries.
“Interrogating the dynamics of experimentation, the 12th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair: PLAY bases its thematic framework around play as action, play your role, play as curiosity, play as the inherent human desire to create,” says fair director Laura Vincenti. “Through PLAY, Investec Cape Town Art Fair offers a space where the boundaries between creator and viewer are fluid, and where art itself becomes a living, interactive experience. Rather than being a passive observation of aesthetic objects, play invites the audience to actively participate in the unfolding of ideas. This collaborative aspect of play redefines the roles of artist and viewer, transforming them into co-creators of meaning. The fair encourages engagement not only through the visual and conceptual, but also through the tactile, sensory, and emotional, allowing for a deeper connection between the work and its audience. In this context, art becomes a shared space where diverse perspectives intersect, challenge, and ultimately enrich the collective experience.”
She adds that the fair will once again extend well beyond the CTICC, where the main exhibition is held, into the city of Cape Town to include its leading galleries, museums and other cultural institutions in a region-wide week-long festival of art providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the city through its art and experience its richness as a cultural destination.
Art in Action: Programming and Events
Visitors to Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2025 can expect an extraordinary programme of events, talks and tours. Talks, conversations, guided art walks and panel discussions with thought leaders, art market professionals and experts on the world of contemporary art will provide invaluable insights and thought-provoking perspectives on the market for African art, collecting, current themes and new directions.
“We are pleased to welcome five independent curators to the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025. The renowned curators overseeing the special sections include four newcomers and one returning curator,” says Vincenti.
French-born Céline Seror (now residing in The Netherlands) will bring her unique experience as an independent curator and consultant to the SOLO section. Seror is the co-founder of prominent art platforms, including Intense Art Magazine, the first publication dedicated to women in art from Africa, and the print and digital platform The Art Momentum. Over the past decade, she has been dedicated to spotlighting new voices and narratives through various publications and artistic projects.
Heba El Kayal, a curator, writer and researcher from Cairo, Egypt, will curate the Generations section, a space where intergenerational conversations between both local and international emerging and established artists are showcased. El Kayal specialises in modern and contemporary art from the Middle East and North Africa. Over the course of her career, she has consulted for auction houses and private collectors, and speaks regularly on topics related to the preservation of artist estates, modern and contemporary Middle Eastern and African art, and the importance of institutional cross-collaboration on the African continent.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair also welcomes back Dr. Mariella Franzoni, who will once again lead the Tomorrows/Today section.
Additional programme highlights
The 2025 Fair will also feature the second interaction of the special project cabinet series, Cabinet/Trophy: Playing the Field’, curated by Exhibition Match (Alexander Richards and Dr Phokeng Setai). Richards and Setai founded Exhibition Match in 2022 – an artistic project and social intervention that includes an art-world football match and accompanying exhibition with the aim of making art accessible through football. Richards is a director at Stevenson and Setai recently joined Zeitz MoCAA as assistant curator.
The Lookout section – a dedicated space for young, non-traditional art projects that have been operating for under five years. Editions is a special section focusing on leading print galleries and workshops that specialise in prints, multiples and editions.
Magazines and Publications showcases magazines, books, journals and catalogues presented by publishers from around the world with a focus on art, which in 2025 will host the likes of House and Leisure, The Manor, Your Luxury Africa, Art Times, Chimurenga, as well as Clarke’s Books in collaboration with Jonathan Ball Publication.
Connect cultural section featuring Norval Foundation, Zeitz MOCAA, Lalela, Western Cape Education Department, City of Cape Town.
Following a successful inaugural stand last year, appearing for the second year City of Cape Town Emerging Artists Programme will again be hosting a stand.
Participating International Galleries
16/16 (Lagos, Nigeria)
50 Golborne (London, United Kingdom)
Afriart Gallery (Kampala, Uganda)
AMG Projects (Lagos, Nigeria)
Anna Laudel (Bodrum and Istanbul, Turkey, Düsseldorf, Germany)
AYN Gallery (Paris, France)
blue wind project (Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia)
Bode (Berlin, Germany)
Borderlands Art (Kampala, Uganda)
Cellar Contemporary (Trento, Italy)
Dep Art Gallery (Milan, Italy)
First Floor Gallery Harare (Harare, Zimbabwe)
Galerie Caroline O’Breen (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Galerie EIGEN + ART (Leipzig, Berlin, Germany)
Galerie Eric Dupont (Paris, France)
Galerie La La Lande (Paris, France)
Galerie Marion Chauvy (Paris, France)
Galleria Anna Marra (Rome, Italy)
Galleria Giovanni Bonelli (Milan and Pietrasanta, Italy)
Galleria Michela Rizzo (Venice, Italy)
Gallery Nosco (Brussels, Belgium)
Gregor Podnar (Vienna, Austria)
Gypsum Gallery (Cairo, Egypt)
Hunna Art (Kuwait City, Kuwait)
Jahmek Contemporary Art (Luanda, Angola)
Jonathan Carver Moore (San Francisco, United States of America)
kó (Lagos, Nigeria)
KWADRAT Galerie (Berlin, Germany)
LEESAYA (Tokyo, Japan)
LIS10 Gallery (Arezzo, Italy and Paris, France)
Lo Magno artecontemporanea (Modica, Italy)
LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
OH Gallery (Dakar, Senegal)
Öktem Aykut (Istanbul, Turkey)
Reiners Contemporary Art (Marbella, Spain)
Samuel Maenhoudt Gallery (Knokke-Heist, Belgium)
Schönfeld Gallery (Brussels, Belgium)
SOTO Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria)
Spiaggia Libera (Paris, France)
Suburbia Contemporary (Barcelona, Spain and Leipzig, Germany)
TAM Gallery (Cairo, Egypt)
The Art Affair (Luanda, Angola)
The Bridge Gallery (Paris, France)
The Over (Barcelona, Spain)
The Project Room (Windhoek, Namibia)
tHEIR (London, United Kingdom)
THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE (Lisbon, Portugal)
Windsor Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria)
Participating Local Galleries
131 A Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa)
16 on Lerotholi (Cape Town, South Africa)
50ty50ty (Cape Town, South Africa)
99 Loop Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa)
Art Formes (Cape Town, South Africa)
Artist Proof Studio (Johannesburg, South Africa)
ArtThrob (Cape Town, South Africa)
artHARARE (Cape Town, South Africa)
Berman Contemporary (Johannesburg, South Africa)
BKhz (Johannesburg, South Africa)
blank (Cape Town, South Africa)
Candice Berman Gallery (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Christopher Moller Gallery (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Dale Sargent Fine Art (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Demo Projects (Cape Town, South Africa)
EBONY/CURATED (Cape Town,Franschhoek, South Africa)
Eclectica Contemporary (Cape Town, South Africa)
Eleven Editions (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Everard Read (Cape Town, Franschhoek, Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK)
Goodman Gallery (Johannesburg, Cape Town, South Africa, London, UK and New York, USA)
Graham Contemporary (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Guns & Rain (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Kalashnikovv Gallery (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Lemkus Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa)
Locus (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Loft Editions (Cape Town, South Africa)
Occupying The Gallery (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Red Room Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa)
RESERVOIR (Cape Town, South Africa)
Riaan Bolt Antiques (Johannesburg, South Africa)
SMAC Gallery (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Southern Guild (Cape Town, South Africa)
STEVENSON (Cape Town, Johannesburg, South Africa and Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
The Melrose Gallery (Johannesburg, South Africa)
THK Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa)
Untitled (Cape Town, South Africa)
Vault Research (Cape Town, South Africa)
Vela Projects (Cape Town, South Africa)
WALL (Cape Town, South Africa)
WHATIFTHEWORLD (Cape Town, South Africa)
WORLDART (Cape Town, South Africa)
The 12th Investec Cape Town Art Fair will run from 21 to 23 February at the Cape Town International Conference Centre from 12h00 to 19h00.
Tickets can be purchased via webtickets.
Visit www.investeccapetownartfair.co.za or follow Investec Cape Town Art Fair on Instagram @investeccapetownartfair and Facebook @investeccapetownartfair. Hashtags #InvestecCapeTownArtFair #ICTAF2025
By Ten x Collective
Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum launch inaugural SA Clay Awards in recognition of ceramic excellence in South Africa.
Prompted by its acceptance as an affiliate member of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC), The Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum has announced the launch of the inaugural SA Clay Awards, which will exhibit its winning pieces from 2 November to 7 December 2024 for the first time.
As an organisation affiliated to Unesco and devoted to ceramic excellence, the IAC nod was seen as a fittingly momentous opportunity to propose a new biennale award and exhibition, in recognition of the wealth of skill and talent in the South African ceramics landscape.
Alternating annually with the Portrait Award the inaugural SA Clay Awards celebrates mastery and creativity in the field. A novel structure meant that anyone could enter and sees the top 50 pieces acknowledged rather than a singular winner. Uniquely, the sponsored awards money will also be shared equally between the creators of the final selection.
This speaks to the versatility of the medium. With so many ways to interpret, work with and express a concept through clay, choosing one winner would have been next to impossible. “We were really pleased with the range of work entered. A collection of pieces like this shows you the wonder of clay, and what clay can do,” says Hennie Meyer, curator of the show and a prolific ceramic artist in his own right.
The vision was for an exhibition that would showcase ceramic excellence and capture the essence of the current scene in South Africa. “The concept for this exhibition has long intrigued me – it aims to present a diverse, unbiased collection of clay works that go beyond the singular perspective of any curator or gallery. An embodiment of excellence, richness, expression, concept, and craftsmanship,” he adds.
Digging Deep: Inside the Clay Awards Judging Process
And certainly, the judging process played a big role in showcasing this depth. A group of 10 respected international and local panelists – experts in their fields, ranging from renowned ceramic artists to revered academics – ensured that a wide range of viewpoints were part of the assessment of the works. Selectors included Magdalene Odundo (UK/Kenya), Andile Dyalvane (South Africa); Ronnie Watt (Canada/South Africa); Andre Hess (UK/South Africa); Digby Hoets (South Africa); Olivia Barrell (South Africa); Janet de Boos (Australia); Guangzhen Zhou (USA/China); Stanis Mbwanga (Congo) and Elizabeth Perril (USA).
Each panelist chose their top 50 pieces, with the 50 most voted pieces (by 45 artists) overall forming the final selection. The judging was conducted anonymously, allowing selectors to choose works without any contact or deliberation among one another.
This ensured not only a fair judging process but a great variety of work in the final selection. What was also interesting for Hennie and his team as the results came back was that out of 518 entries, 260 received votes. “This shows us that not only was the work extremely diverse but also of an incredibly high standard,” he notes.
Diversity is clearly apparent too, in the incredible variety of the entrants themselves. They range from established names and stalwarts of the ceramics industry to brand-new talents entering the medium. Wonderful variety and rich stories emerge – from the oldest entrant, Felicity Potter who was born in 1935 who entered a piece with her partner David Schlapobersky, to well-known brothers Madoda and Siyabonga Fani both with pieces in the lineup, and many more besides.
Pieces vary greatly in style and execution too – expressive figurative sculptural works stand alongside delicate functional vessels and contemporary graphic designs sit next to the ultra-minimal. It’s a truly multifaceted curation that speaks volumes about the medium itself, and the wide spectrum of creativity locally. Curated by Meyer, the works will be displayed in such a way as to highlight exactly this diversity and versatility.
Meyer refers to the words of Ashraf Jamal in his essay An Intimate Materialism published in Clay Formes (2023) to summarise the richness of the medium: “As Caitlin MacDonald reminds us, ‘We have constructed shelters, vessels for food and water, made idols, art objects, vases, currencies, talismans, funerary urns, inscribed laws and myths upon clay surfaces.’ We are wrought from mud. Clay precedes humankind; it will exist long after we are gone.”
To Meyer, “this profound sentiment reflects the enduring relationship between humanity and this fundamental material”. SA Clay Awards invites you to explore the stories and emotions conveyed through each piece in this exhibition – a collective homage to the rich heritage and future of ceramic artistry in South Africa.
It will open to the public on Saturday 2 November at 11am. The works will be on display at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum until 7 December 2024.
List of awardees:
Barker, Melissa
Bernstein, Bianca
Botha, Deirdre
Brett, Justin
Claassens, Lissa
Cronjé, Ella
Cruise, Wilma
Dahl, Astrid
Fani, Madoda
Fani, Siyabonga
Glenday, Katherine
Godwin, Sandy
Gregor, Mariëtte
Haines, Charmaine
Heesom-Green, Dianne
Hoets, Lesley-Ann
Hön, Eugene
Jarvis, Jane
Kotzé, Karin
Lambert, Dale
Louridas, Gari
Luthuli, Sbonelo
Jonker, Niël
Maweni, Chuma
May, Meriel
Mogridge, Andrew
Nthunya, Sesing Frank
Price, Gregg
Rybicka, Amanda
Schlapobersky, David and Felicity
Scott, Johannes
Sherlock, Adéle
Shirley, John
Sithole, Nicholas
Spencer, Nada
Swart, Johan
Van der Merwe, Uys
Van der Walt, Clementina
Van Rooyen, Karlien
Von Bismarck, Wiebke
Walford, Andrew
Walsh, Nick
Walter, Guy
Wentzel, René
Wilkinson, Geena
For more information:
Visit www.rust-en-vrede.com/clayawards
Follow @rust_en_vredegallery on Instagram
To Breathe and Pause:
The Stellenbosch Triennale invites you to Rehearse for the Future
To Breathe and Pause:
The Stellenbosch Triennale invites you to Rehearse for the Future
By Ten x Collective
Posted Wednesday 4 September 2024
The Stellenbosch Triennale, a pivotal event in the global art calendar, will once again transform the historic town of Stellenbosch into a dynamic, open-air gallery from 19 February to 30 April 2025. The brainchild of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST), a non profit organisation and supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund, the Triennale that is free to the public promises to be a profound exploration of art, community and existence under the evocative theme by sociologist, sangoma and Chief Curator Khanyisile Mbongwa titled, BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing.
The Stellenbosch Triennale debuted in 2020 with a bold vision: to elevate Stellenbosch, as a premier destination for multidisciplinary art in Africa and to create a platform where public art and creativity engage critically with society. The inaugural event set a high standard with its array of provocative installations and performances that challenged visitors to rethink their surroundings and themselves.
Building on this foundation, the 2025 edition seeks to push boundaries even further. As Chief Curator Mbongwa explains, “For this Triennale I want us to enter into a rehearsal space as a way of imagining how we can co-create in the real world, how exhibition making in itself is a rehearsal space for the things we want to do. And as such, I have invited artists to make their work on-site over a 10 day period that can be recycled or disintegrated back to land after the Triennale so as to minimise my carbon footprint by not transporting artworks back and forth. In this way, we get to enact a playfulness in the making and witnessing the work.”
This commitment to sustainability and process forms part of the curators practice of Care & Cure. Mbongwa – a Stellenbosch university alumnus who works within public realm, interventions and interdisciplinary practices – in this project heeded the call from her ancestors to mediate on themes that explore spirit, breath and improvisation. “I am in the labour of my purpose. My work is always expansive and a deep-time conversation with amadlozi (ancestors), uNkulunkulu (God/Source), and Abahlali (the collective of beings); as I move through and in the world, I’m invited into different geographical locations and called into spiritual ancestral indigenous conversations,” explains Mbongwa.
A Tradition of Artistic Innovation
The inaugural Stellenbosch Triennale took place at the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which cut the Triennale’s duration short and changed many lives. Project Director and Trustee, Andi Norton, draws parallels to this year’s exhibition sub-theme of rehearsal. “We had no idea that it would only be open for such a short time in 2020, we had worked hard and sacrificed so much and to have it all be shut down so soon was devastating. It was only after a year or two that we could start exploring doing another one.” Norton continues, “Only now can we look back on it and see the incredible rehearsal space that it was for us.
Through the theme, the curator is giving us, the organisers and artists, permission to experiment and play.” The theme, BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing, invites artists and audiences alike to contemplate the act of breathing — both a fundamental physical process and a metaphor for resilience and survival. “Breathing in states of duress, breathing through wounds,” reflects Mbongwa in her curatorial statement, “we persist, we insist, we improvise our existence in a world that often feels like it’s losing its breath.”
Informed by the Nguni concept of UKU’ZINZA — being grounded and calm — the theme explores stillness as a mechanism for survival, a strategy for imagination, and an act of aliveness. In a time when breathlessness is a global experience, the Triennale positions itself as a space for reflection, recovery, and preparation for a different future.
A Dynamic and Interactive Experience
Unlike traditional art exhibitions, the Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 will be a living, breathing entity, constantly evolving over its two-month duration. The intention is to invite our visitors to enter a rehearsal space with us, where some works will exist in a space of improvisation, some in the space of composition and intervention, others in exploration – in the ways we negotiate our breath and ultimately our aliveness.
Assistant Curator Dr Mike Mavura adds, “We wanted the artists to think of breath in multiple ways in relation to the human body and to start to think of breath in expanded ways; what happens when you breathe deeply? What happens when you are short of breath? And then, what happens when you can’t breathe?” This conceptual framework will be evident in the diverse array of mediums on display, from visual art and sculpture to sound installations, performance, and dance.
A Curated Selection of International Artists across Multiple Venues across Stellenbosch
The 2025 Stellenbosch Triennale will feature an impressive line-up of artists from the African continent and beyond. Among the artists participating In The Current include: Alexandre Kyungu Mwilambwe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Aline Motta (Brazil), Aziz Hazara (Afghanistan), Lebohang Kganye (South Africa), Simphiwe Ndzube (South Africa),Torkwase Dyson (USA), Thierry Oussou (Benin) and William Miko (Zambia). “We will be showcasing a truly diverse range of practices,” notes Mavura, “from sound, sculpture, and installations with plant life to paintings, photography, dance, and performance. The aim is to activate all the senses, providing a holistic experience that challenges and delights.”
The featured artists in On the Cusp include: Astrid González (Colombia-Chile), Helen Zeru (Ethiopia), Kasangati Godelive Kabena (Democratic Republic of Congo), Manyaku Mashilo (South Africa), Nandele Muguni (Mozambique), Simphiwe Buthelezi (South Africa), Takunda Regis Billiat (Zimbabwe) and Tuli Mekodjo (Namibia).
A Rehearsal for a New World
The Stellenbosch Triennale will take place at the Oude Libertas precinct and across multiple venues throughout the town, turning Stellenbosch into a curated public laboratory for creative expressions and engagements. The collaboration with the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust and other local institutions ensures a rich, textured experience that reflects the unique cultural and natural landscape of the region, recognised for its vineyards and academic excellence.
This year’s Triennale is more than an exhibition; it is a call to action, a rehearsal for breathing anew in a world filled with challenges and possibilities. “Art becomes an infrastructure for cure and care,” says Mbongwa, “posing the question: if death is the given condition, how do we prepare to live?” The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 invites you to be part of this journey – to breathe, reflect, imagine, play, and rehearse for the world we want to create.
The Stellenbosch Triennale takes place from 19 February – 30 April 2025 at Oude Libertas, the Woodmill, Rupert Museum and Stellenbosch University Museum. Entry is free to the public.
For more information:
Visit www.stellenboschtriennale.com
Follow on X (Twitter) @stbtriennale, on Instagram @stellenboschtriennale and Facebook @stellenboschtriennale
#StellenboschTriennale #ST2025
The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 is supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund, Afexim Bank, Remgro, and Heineken.
FOOD XX Awards 2024
Recognising 19 Women Transforming South Africa’s Food Scene
FOOD XX Awards 2024
Recognising 19 Women Transforming South Africa’s Food Scene
By Studio H
By Studio H
A group of 19 women from across South Africa have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the food and hospitality industry.
The winners of the 2024 FOOD XX Awards have been revealed, with 19 pioneers honoured at a special ceremony held at Soetmelksvlei, Babylonstoren, on Wednesday, 28 August. Launched by Studio H in 2019, the biennial awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of women across the food and hospitality industry, recognising excellence in everything from farming and food styling to education, culinary heritage, and beyond.
“We were once again overwhelmed by the incredible volume of nominations,” says Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H. “This only strengthens our conviction that women truly are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we take the time to celebrate and honour their remarkable contributions.”
The winners were those who received the most votes from a pool of over 500 candidates. Nominations were open to the public during the months of July and August, with the judging performed by an independent panel comprising winners from the year prior – as is customary at the FOOD XX Awards. This year’s panel consisted, amongst others, of Dr Anna Trapido, Zandile Finxa, Khanya Mzongwana and Errieda du Toit.
“We are thrilled to shine a light on the extraordinary women shaping the future of our industry,” says Visser. “The FOOD XX Awards are more than just a celebration of their achievements; they are a platform for amplifying their voices and fostering a community where women can inspire, uplift, and support one another across every aspect of food and hospitality.”
The 2024 FOOD XX Awards winners, by category, are as follows:
Baker: Megan Wessels, owner of With HÄRT Bakery
Behind the scenes: Chiara Turilli, co-founder of Lello’s Deli
Drinks: Danielle Schoeman, the founder and distiller at Doña Distillery
Food Educator: Debbie Ayub, co-owner & principal of Sense of Taste Chef School
Food Entrepreneur: Daniela Gutstadt, owner and executive chef of Culinary Table Restaurant and Deli in Lanseria
Farming: Iming Lin, owner of Meuse Farm
Food Heritage: Mashau Mabunda, founder of Xigugu Royalty
Food Photographer: Ashleigh Frans, owner of Wide Wing Photography
Food stylist presented by Spekko: Simone Nel
Food writer presented by Spekko: Khanya Mzongwana, Deputy Food Editor, Woolworths Taste
Front of House presented by Krone: Katlego Mathobela, head sommelier at Proud Mary
Future Food: Roushanna Gray, founder and owner of Veld and Sea
Giving Back: Nolizwe Sotondoshe, founder of Nande’s Kitchen
In The Kitchen: Jes Doveton, owner of Acid Wine Bar
Sustainability: Latiefah Behardien, the Chief Technical and Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Foods
Legacy Award: Abigail Donnelly, the Creative Food Editor at Woolworths Taste, Eat Out Chief Judge and Food Creative for Woolworths Foods Marketing
Trailblazer: Zyda Rylands, the outgoing CEO of Woolworths Foods
Chef of the Year presented by ClemenGold: Jessica van Dyk, Chef Patron at Post & Pepper
Food Icon: Xoliswa Ndoyiya, former personal chef to Nelson Mandela and custodian of Xhosa culinary culture
“Our winners are paving the way for a future where food connects us all in deeper, more meaningful ways,” says Visser. “Their creativity and determination are driving change that extends beyond the plate – redefining our relationships, our communities, and our shared experiences.”
In the spirit of supporting women and the community that FOOD XX celebrates, the 2024 awards trophies were crafted by Brigitte Lilley (@beelilley), a former FOOD XX Awards winner in the ‘Behind the Scenes’ category.
Contact :
JC Landman jc@studio-h.co.za or Hannerie Visser h@studio-h.co.za
Follow @fxxd_xx on Instagram
Launching Design Week South Africa :
A platform for South Africa’s creative industries to showcase, inspire and prosper
By Design Week South Africa
By Design Week South Africa
Design Week South Africa, powered by Yoco, is a curated calendar of events and immersive experiences that will showcase the future of South African design through knowledge-sharing, inclusivity and support.
Together with Yoco, their mission is to create South Africa’s leading design platform. A platform that celebrates design as an expression of creative thinking and making, creates connections, jumpstarts collaborations, and cultivates the next generation of creative leaders.
The initiative aims to boost the local creative economy through product showcases, exhibitions and activations, while increasing both the local, and international public and media’s knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of South African design.
‘I have had the privilege of a career spent contributing towards, promoting and engaging with our local creative community. With an abundance of skills, opportunities, and energy at our disposal, I am excited to embark on a new role where I can help to create a platform that showcases forward-thinking design that is inspirational, educational, sustainable and economically viable for all who engage in it,’ says Design Week South Africa founder, Margot Molyneux.
OPEN CALL :
Occurring in Johannesburg and Cape Town, designers, brands and makers are invited to apply to participate in each city’s four day event. Once accepted, creatives will be included in a calendar of events that will consist of workshops, exhibitions, engaging discussions, interactive installations, performances, showroom experiences, food and drinks activations, exciting collaborations, product launches, walkabout tours and open studios.
Spanning all design disciplines, Design Week’s aim is to include the fields of Architecture, Art, Dance, Fashion, Food, Furniture, Graphic Design, Industrial, Interior, Jewellery, Music, Product Design and Urban Planning.
Each showcase, event, activation and exhibition on display at Design Week South Africa 2024 will be curated through the lens of their four content pillars: Space Sharing, Growing Collaboratively, Future Archives, Game Changing.
Link to applications : www.designweeksouthafrica.com
TITLE SPONSOR :
Yoco builds financial tools and solutions for businesses of all sizes and all kinds. They understand and celebrate the crucial role the creative industry plays in the economy and society as a whole. Yoco proudly supports Design Week South Africa, celebrating the many creative entrepreneurs through this platform.
Mmaphuthi Morule, Head of Brand Marketing at Yoco explains, ‘At Yoco, we’re proud to support Design Week South Africa, a platform that mirrors our own commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. By empowering local designers and creators, we’re not just celebrating their achievements; we’re investing in a vibrant future for South Africa’s creative economy. This partnership aligns with our mission to support small businesses and drive growth through meaningful connections and transformative experiences.’
FEATURED PROJECT :
The Modular Public Playground is a fantastic example of how collaboration and creativity can generate positive change in our communities. Aiming to transform public space into safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing areas, this three-piece installation was commissioned by Young Urbanists, in partnership with Urban Think-Tank Empower. Designed by Jeffrey James, and locally manufactured by Stonecast, these pieces are part of South Africa’s first street experiment on Langa’s Lerotholi Avenue, in collaboration with the Masakhe Foundation and the City of Cape Town.
‘Our purpose at Design Week South Africa is to encourage and showcase innovative creativity, expanding local design appreciation, and positively influencing our communities. Whether it be interior, product or furniture design, landscape or urban planning, the act of creative thinking can be a game changer – and we’re here to engage with it, witness exciting projects like this one, and ultimately celebrate it all’, says Margot.
DATES :
Johannesburg
Thursday, 10 – Sunday, 13 October 2024
Cape Town
Thursday, 24 – Sunday, 27 October 2024
VISIT :
As of mid-September, the public will be able to book tickets and RSVP to the various Design Week events through an online portal.
CONTACT :
Visit www.designweeksouthafrica.com
Follow @designweeksouthafrica on Instagram
