Rising Star: Khosi Leteba

WORDS Phendu Kuta PHOTOS Chris Allan (Bodulo Blankets), Justin Patrick (Bodulo Benches), Tom Msijo (CTFW), PORTRAIT Tom Msijo

Furniture designer and founder of Bupa Studios Khosi Leteba strives to connect people with products that evoke positive experiences, seamlessly blending traditional influences with contemporary design.

Khosi Leteba caught our eye in 2020 with his distinctive Bodulo bench. A collaboration with Wiid Design and Nando’s Clout/SA, Bodulo is a vibrant, contemporary interpretation of Sotho culture, showcasing patterns inspired by Khosi’s heritage. Earlier this year, Khosi’s Bupa Studios exhibited one of its latest designs, the Fasa chair, at Cape Town Furniture Week.

And back in 2022, Khosi worked with Aranda Textiles, South Africa’s oldest blanket, throw and shawl manufacturer, to contribute to their Young Basotho Designer Collection. As one of six brilliant young designers, he designed three Basotho heritage blankets for Aranda, demonstrating his ability to draw on his heritage while making a meaningful contribution to South African design.

✖ A typical workday involves conceptualising furniture pieces or products. This includes selecting the materials to be used in the manufacturing process, creating 3D models, developing detailed technical drawings for manufacturing, and overseeing all the production stages to ensure that the final product meets the desired quality standards.

✖ A well-designed product should be functional, well crafted, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.

✖ One of my favourite places for inspiration is Japan. I find it fascinating how the Japanese express their cultural identity through design, blending traditional styles with modern practicality to create timeless pieces that prioritise quality over quantity.

✖ I’m fascinated by the work of Japanese architect and designer Oki Sato. His approach is all about having childlike curiosity and fun, with the aim of injecting small yet magical moments and a twist of irony into daily life. He transforms people’s interactions with everyday objects, and his style is simple, functional and friendly.

✖ A favourite design of mine is the Refiloe chair, which I named after my mother. She was the inspiration behind this piece. It’s an homage to all the remarkable women in our life who play such a huge role in shaping our personality and guiding us to become the best versions of ourselves. These women are the pillars of strength within their families – yet they remain soft, loving and caring in their nature.

✖ I sometimes prioritise aesthetics over functionality. At other times, I focus on the functionality first. Inspiration can come from different sources – it could be sparked by a production technique, which emphasises functionality; or it could come courtesy of an artwork that features a unique form or silhouette, which prioritises aesthetics.

✖ I believe that incorporating plants into your space instantly adds beauty and freshness, creating a tranquil and pleasant environment.

✖ If I had unlimited funds, I would splurge on a piece by South African artist Mmangaliso Nzuza.

✖ Good design is not just about the appearance of an item, but also about the emotions it evokes in those who use it. My aim is to combine functionality and aesthetics through emotional design, which connects people with the product and creates a positive user experience. By connecting users with the emotions that inspired the product, we can influence their perception of it.

✖ I’m currently working on a new collection of lounge seating that’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. I’m hoping to release it later this year! | bupa_studios

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.