WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES Shavan Rahim
Nando’s Hot Young Designer Talent Search saw two local creatives sharing first place for their lighting designs.
The competition brief was to design an African-inspired pendant light with a contemporary edge. Each of the winners received an order to produce 50 lights that will be installed in Nando’s restaurants across the globe. Seven finalists received mentorship from top designers during the process of planning and assembling their lights, which were launched at Design Indaba. All the lights can now be ordered from the designers.
Thabisa Mjo (28), Tutu 2.0 Light (R6 680 for 71 cm x 70 cm light). Mentors: Megan Hesse and Andrea Kleinloog of Anatomy Design. Thabisa is the owner of Mash T Design Studio in Johannesburg.
Samantha Foaden (23), Buhle Bulb (R2 000 for 45 cm and R2 400 for 65 cm light). Mentors: Greg and Roché Dry of Egg Designs. Samantha is the owner of interior design studio SF Interiors in Durban.
Candice Lawrence (27), four designs: Necklace Light, Woven (R2 800), Painted (R980) and Beaded (R850); and eKhaya Light (R1 450). Mentor: Luke Pedersen of Pedersen + Lennard.
Tulsha Booysen (17), Can Beam (single pendant from R1 050, cluster from R4 997, excluding bulbs). Mentor: Liani Douglas of Douglas & Company.
Lara Hooper (35), Mbali Pendant (small R3 200 to large R3 800). Mentors: Rob Walker and Monique Friedlander of Ashanti.
Yesheen Singh (35), Weaver’s Nest (from R2 475 each). Mentors: Gerhard Swart and Anthony Harris of Ceramic Matters.
Etienne du Plooy (31), imbewuPOD (R4 800). Mentor: Interior architect and product designer Conrad van der Westhuizen.
Thabisa Mjo (28), Skyline (her second entry) (R10 500 for a three-building cluster). Mentors: Georg and Rhone van Gass of Goet.
