Designers We Love: Siyanda Mazibuko

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring

Every year, Design Indaba, in association with the Department of Arts and Culture, chooses 40 talented up-and-comers as part of the anticipated Emerging Creatives initiative.

Started in 2005, this programme has helped launch the careers of many successful South African creatives. At this year’s exhibition, held at the Watershed in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, we spotted some local stars we just had to chat to. Meet furniture designer, Siyanda Mazibuko.

Describe your work in three words.

Attentive, lively, art.

What do you love about design?

I more than love the process of creating or bringing imagination to life. I have this insane passion to imagine and create. For me, this is what design is about.

What did being an Emerging Creative mean to you?

It meant I got to express my beliefs about design on a totally different platform and keep growing in the design and creative space. But more than anything, the opportunity meant I got to generate inspiration from people who are all about design; I got to learn new things about design; I got to experience something I’ve never experienced before.

Siyanda is the co-founder of Johannesburg-based furniture brand PATE Arts & Crafts.

View more of Siyanda’s designs at patesa.co.za.