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Cabinet and woven lights by Siviwe Jali – Clout/SA and Nando’s HYD showcase at Spier. Curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director Clout/SA -
Sprinkle light by Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T Design – Clout/SA and Nando’s HYD showcase at Spier. Curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director Clout/SA -
Lights by Siviwe Jali – Clout/SA and Nando’s HYD showcase at Spier. Curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director Clout/SA -
Woven lights by Siviwe Jali above chairs by Naturalis, with patterns by Nando’s HYD finalists on display at Clout/SA and Nando’s HYD showcase at Spier. Curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director Clout/SA -
Beaded light by Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design above serving counter by Dokter and Misses at Nando’s Central Kitchen, featuring furniture, art and lighting by numerous South African designers. Curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director Clout/SA
It’s time to let your light shine in the 2026 edition of the Nando’s Hot Young Designer talent search.
WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Justin Patrick, Elsa Young
Since 2016, the biennial Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search has unearthed the hottest emerging designers in the country, offering a coveted business-accelerator opportunity. The last decade has seen the best young local talent share their designs for lights, patterns, benches, and servers, which have been featured in Nando’s restaurants worldwide.
For the sixth edition of Nando’s HYD, entrants have been set the challenge of designing a striking ‘linear light’ (think directional lighting hung above a long table or counter).
For Nando’s HYD, the aim is to design a linear light that will shine in any Nando’s restaurant, anywhere in the world. Sculptural and crafted elements could introduce texture and colour, while combinations of materials create unique and interesting pieces that contribute to the overall design of the restaurant interior. Handmade details, created in collaboration with crafters, could be important aspects of the concept. Installation and longevity are vital; demonstrating how the piece – which should be no longer than 1.4 m and weigh under 28 kg – will be transported and installed will add value.
For the 2026 edition, the Nando’s HYD business-accelerator opportunity will unfold in three phases:
- Application phase: aspiring designer-makers submit their entries.
- Shortlist phase: finalists are chosen to develop prototypes of their designs.
- Final stage: a winning designer-maker will be selected and will receive a programme of tailored support, which will include mentorship, market access, showcasing opportunities, and community engagement with South Africa’s premier designer-makers.
Nando’s HYD is the centrepiece of the Nando’s Design Programme and, over the years, has propelled numerous local design careers, including those of Thabisa Mjo of Mash T. Design, Siviwe Jali, and Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam of Studio Kalki.
The talent search is managed on behalf of Nando’s by Clout/SA – a business-to-business market maker that celebrates the vision and vitality of South African design. “At Clout/SA, we celebrate the creative pulse of South African design by sharing our curated collections of furniture, lighting, and decor with clients and collaborators around the world,” says Tracy Lynch, Creative Director of Clout/SA.
Entries close on 31 May 2026. | @nandos_hyd
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