Anglo American Platinum has unveiled the finalists for the 24th edition of PlatAfrica, South Africa’s leading platinum jewellery design and manufacturing contest.
The competition underscores Anglo American Platinum’s ongoing endeavour to foster the growth of the platinum jewellery sector.
The company has partnered with Platinum Guild International (PGI) India and Metal Concentrators to orchestrate this year’s contest, themed #Emergence.
Theme and Collaboration
Encouraging creativity from unexplored domains, the #Emergence theme tasked contestants with crafting designs that not only captivate customers but also herald a hopeful outlook.
A noteworthy addition to this year’s competition is the introduction of capsule collections, embodying a compact version of the designers’ vision aimed at transcending fleeting trends. In a collaborative effort, De Beers Group will lend selected diamonds to the winning designers for incorporation in their platinum creations.
Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, expressed the industry’s aspiration to remain at the vanguard of the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) market, lauding the finalists for their exceptional exploration of the #Emergence theme.
She stated, “Being at the forefront of the PGM market and product development is what we are consistently striving for as an industry leader… The finalists have done a sterling job in exploring the possibilities of the #Emergence theme – demonstrating yet again that the essence of art is rooted in pushing the boundaries.”
De Beers Group Participation
Moses Masondo, Managing Director at De Beers Managed Operations, shared the enthusiasm for supporting local talent where they recover diamonds.
He remarked, “De Beers Group is excited to be part of this year’s PlatAfrica. We are passionate about supporting local talent in the countries where we recover diamonds, and judging by this year’s entries, our finalists and the industry as a whole has so much to be proud of.”
Competition Categories and Rewards
The competition is bifurcated into individual students/apprentices and individual professionals categories.
Entries, encompassing a variety of statement jewellery pieces from rings to necklaces and earrings, will be evaluated based on the interpretation of the #Emergence theme and technical expertise.
The top ten laureates in both categories will get a chance to produce their capsule collections for the PlatAfrica collection, intended for the global market.
Besides the acclaim and exposure, winners will also receive a monetary award, and an invitation to an all-inclusive design workshop in India, courtesy of PGI, to hone their skills in one of the rapidly expanding platinum jewellery markets globally.
Finalists Announcement
The roster of finalists features a mix of individual and team entries from various institutions and business incubators.
Professional category:
- Esther Boshoff & Team (Beaudel Designs)
- Ulandie Booysens (Van Deijl)
- Rachel Hannah Kemp (Uwe Koetter Jewellers)
- Moses Mabotja (Limpopo Jewellery Business Incubator
- Thabo Mbele (Van Bels, The Platinum Incubator)
- Noxolo Mseleku (Knight of Grey, trading as Elegante)
- Kim Nel (Van Deijl)
- Mandlenkosi None & Nnete Mokgothu (The Platinum Incubator)
- Nihal Shah & Vijay Shah (Nihal Shah & Vijay Shah)
- Christina Toros (Toros Jewellery & Stellenbosch University)
- Lungile Xhwantini (The Platinum Incubator)
Students/ Apprentices category:
- Jana Basson (Cape Town University of Technology)
- Lara Ann Burger (Stellenbosch University)
- Thembani Gobinca (Cape Town University of Technology
- Lesenyeho Mamosa (Pneuma Jewellers Academy)
- Lindokuhle Magaba (Cape Town University of Technology)
- Patrick Mohapi (Pneuma Jewellers Academy)
- Thapelo Masingi, (Cape Town University of Technology)
- Yoliswa Nene (Cape Town University of Technology)
- Thabisile Nkosi (Cape Town University of Technology)
- Siphelele Ntuli (Cape Town University of Technology)
The winners are set to be unveiled at a gala affair in Johannesburg on 27 October 2023.
Special Mentions
The judges also accorded special mentions to certain entrants in both the professional and students/apprentices categories, appreciating the level of craftsmanship and innovation displayed.
This competition not only spotlights the artistic and technical prowess of the entrants but also heralds a promising trajectory for the platinum jewellery industry in South Africa/
