-
Kgomotso Monnakgotla -
Kulani Keagile -
Chelsea Makin -
Rethabile Motaung -
Bianca van Vuuren -
Reneilwe Molala -
Bradley van Graan -
Anele Mkhize -
Ashleigh Witney -
Tshegofatso Mako
Ten young creatives get ready to light up the South African design scene.
WORDS Gina Dionisio RENDERS Supplied
South Africa’s longest-standing design mentorship programme, Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD), has announced the top 10 finalists in its latest talent search.
For the sixth edition of Nando’s HYD, entrants were set the challenge of designing a striking ‘linear light’ fixture suited to any Nando’s restaurant, anywhere in the world.
The biennial design competition and business accelerator is managed on behalf of Nando’s by Clout/SA, who for the past decade have been instrumental in propelling the careers of emerging creatives by unearthing exceptional talent and introducing local design to Nando’s restaurants globally.
This year’s judges – consisting of a panel of almost 20 design-industry leaders and previous HYD winners – have drawn 10 finalists from a competitive pool of nearly 200 submissions:
- Kgomotso Monnakgotla
- Kulani Keagile
- Chelsea Makin
- Rethabile Motaung
- Bianca van Vuuren
- Reneilwe Molala
- Bradley van Graan
- Anele Mkhize
- Ashleigh Witney
- Tshegofatso Mako
These finalists now head to Nando’s Central Kitchen in Johannesburg, where they’ll pitch their concepts live to the judging panel. Five will be selected to join an intensive mentorship programme, developing prototypes and sharpening their entrepreneurial skills en route to the title of Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026.
The winner receives a tailored programme of mentorship, market access, showcasing opportunities and community engagement with South Africa’s premier designers, including a business accelerator custom-built to launch their design-focused business. Should their product and production process align with Nando’s requirements, their piece will also be included on the Nando’s Portal to Africa, a global marketplace accessed by the interior designers who design Nando’s Casas in all their markets around the world. hotyoungdesigner.com | @nandos_hyd
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