Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives Class of 2022

Introducing the Design Indaba's Emerging Creatives Class of 2022

WORDS Cheri Morris


Of more than 380 entries, just forty creatives have been selected to participate in South Africa’s most prestigious and critically-acclaimed creative developmental programme.

Supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the programme is one of the country’s longest-running emerging talent support structures – one that provides South Africa’s future generation of designers with a platform, support, education and mentorship. Ultimately, the goal is to hone talent and provide participants with strategies to take their work not only to the next level but to market as well. Throughout its many years of successful talent nurturing, it has helped launch lauded young designers such as Mpho Vackier, Russell Abrahams, Daniel
Ting Chong and Crystal Birch, to name a few.

Introducing the Design Indaba's Emerging Creatives Class of 2022
Mishaal Gangaram
Introducing the Design Indaba's Emerging Creatives Class of 2022
Akshar Maganbeharie
Introducing the Design Indaba's Emerging Creatives Class of 2022
Thulani Kubeka

The Class of 2022 was selected by curators Lukhanyo Mdingi and Ditiro Mashigo – renowned fashion designers who were also once Emerging Creatives themselves. Both were impressed by the high quality of this year’s submissions and sought “innovation in design-led problem-solving and an honest point of view from South African emerging design talents on issues of climate change, socioeconomics and equality” when choosing inductees.

The 2022 inductees are:

  1. Luke Rudman
  2. Charity Vilakazi
  3. Julia Duduzile Mohanoe
  4. Kutlwano Monyai
  5. Mona-lisa Mthethwa
  6. Nandipha Yanta
  7. Nuraan Khan
  8. Lumka Jordaan
  9. Naomi Zwane
  10. Amy-Leigh Braaf
  11. Daniella Kilpatrick
  12. Katlego Magano
  13. Lundi Mlonyeni
  14. Mbangiso Mabaso
  15. Mishaal Gangaram
  16. Moeko Karabelo Selebalo
  17. Mohau Moholane
  18. Njabulo Maseko
  19. Riyaadh Ismail
  20. Samkelo Boyde Xaba
  21. Sibusiso Feni
  22. Siyabonga Mtshali
  23. Sizani Baloyi
  24. Thulani Kubeka
  25. Fernando
  26. Kyle Kemink
  27. Fikile Sokhulu
  28. Drew Kendall Haller
  29. Nkululeko Mthembu
  30. Tsepiso Lekganyane
  31. Noxolo Thando Masuku
  32. Lindiwe Irene Rethebile Gugushe
  33. Mikhailia Petersen
  34. Thando Ntuli
  35. Lehlogonolo Khaas
  36. Lauren Gericke
  37. Leila Walter
  38. Akshar Maganbeharie
  39. Arron Moos
  40. Buhle Nkalashe

The Class of 2022 will benefit from masterclass sessions with international and local experts, like UK-based Artsthread, documentary video sessions and dedicated personal profiles on designindaba.com. VISI readers can meet the young designers of 2022 via the extended virtual exhibition at Design Indaba and via Design Indaba’s socials.

For more information, visit designindaba.com.

Looking for more on local designdecor and art? Here’s what happening at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2022.