September means the Rising Talent Awards - and that means South Africa!
Published on 11 June 2026
In South Africa, a revolution in style, rooted in a heritage that is both deeply local and future-oriented, is quietly emerging before asserting itself with confidence. Courted by the international scene, a new generation of designers is rising, sparking both curiosity and desire among industry professionals. Attention is turning toward the names that will define tomorrow.
A Territory, a Local and Forward-Looking Heritage
Meet this creative scene at the Rising Talent Awards during Maison&Objet, from September 10 to 14, 2026.
To tell the story of design in South Africa is also to rewrite history through a dialogue between past and future, rituals, ancestral craftsmanship, and innovative techniques. Weaving, sculptural forms, and symbolic patterns reinterpreted through minimalist and experimental aesthetics give rise to new visual languages. Craftsmanship, ever-present, is expressed through a resolutely contemporary lens.
While Cape Town captivates with its international openness, galleries, and thriving concept stores, Johannesburg pulses with a demanding contemporary art scene and critical design culture. Meanwhile, Durban stands out through a singular creative energy driven by talents blending craftsmanship, storytelling, and multidisciplinary experimentation.
7 Leading Talents Selected by an Expert Jury
It is now official: the Rising Talent Awards jury has met, deliberated, and finalized its selection.
Among the jury members were Alan Hayward and Garreth van Niekerk, co-artistic directors of Decorex Africa and 100% Design Africa; Anna Weylandt, Chief Brand Officer of Weylandts; Donald Nxumalo; Gareth Pearson; Juliet Kavishe; Thabisa Mjo; and Stéphane Galerneau.
Bridging local practices and global dynamics, seven award-winning designers and studios, all made in South Africa, won unanimous acclaim and will unveil their creative worlds through “carte blanche” capsule installations this fall.
As Thabisa Mjo notes:
“Collaborating with Maison&Objet creates a space where singular voices can be seen and understood within a broader framework.”
Spotlight on the Winners
This September, singular voices, new creative expressions, and materials from South Africa will emerge at the heart of the Design District.
The sculptural seating and lighting pieces by Ashleigh Lloyd, woven with rope like sensitive architectural forms, elevate local craftsmanship into a true manifesto.
The creations of Oageng Manana and Tshegofatso Ramothibe for Meetlo Studio establish a subtle dialogue between cultural heritage and a contemporary perspective.
The approach of Simphiwe Mlambo, both technical and conceptual, questions the very function of the object, while the formal language of Tanisha Neill, founder of NISH, unfolds through suspended volumes that appear almost in motion.
By contrast, the free-spirited and colorful universe imagined by Martin Tallie and Zani Alberts within DEFT Studios brings a playful energy.
Also featured are the vibrant compositions of Siyanda Mbele, founder of Pinda Interior Design, where geometric forms, Ndebele-inspired motifs, and bold colors engage in an intense dialogue; alongside the work of Karlien van Rooyen, selected by Ateliers d’Art de France, whose unconventional journey, from medical sciences to grassroots activism, informs a craft practice conceived both as a tool for social transformation and as a space for experimentation.
Together, these signatures form a singular universe entirely dedicated to emerging talents and new creative scenes.
This edition also opens an unprecedented dialogue with Decorex, a key event in contemporary African design, reaffirming more than ever the international openness and forward-looking dimension of the Design District.