Anglo American Platinum this evening announced the winners of the 22nd annual PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition as part of the 2021 African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion Week Joburg.
Hosted annually by Anglo American Platinum in partnership with Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, PlatAfrica promotes innovation and technical expertise in platinum jewellery design and manufacturing in South Africa – providing international exposure to jewellers, apprentices, and students.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, said: "PlatAfrica continues to play an important role in unearthing and celebrating creative talent, and this year is no different. This year's entries – inspired by the metamorphosis theme, blew the adjudicators away.
"Our successful partnership with AFI is one example of the work we continue to do with our local industry and global partners to explore new and innovative ways to facilitate access to new markets for PGMs and grow sustainable demand for South African produced jewellery and design. We believe there is a significant opportunity to develop and grow the local platinum jewellery industry, thereby contributing to job creation and economic growth – especially now, where the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will be felt for years to come."
This year's theme – Metamorphosis – was developed in consultation with PGI India and was inspired by the transformation phases that a caterpillar undergoes to morph into a butterfly. In total, 109 entries were received, and the judges selected 20 finalists across the professional and student/apprentice categories.
This year's winners in the professional category are:
The winners in the student/ apprentice category are:
The top four finalists in each category received a cash prize. Furthermore, the winners and runners-up from both categories will attend a weeklong workshop with PGI India and may be eligible to participate in the design sourcing process for one of PGI India's prestigious brands, subject to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Dumisani Mahlangu is the winner of this year's People Choice Award. The award and cash prize, which is sponsored by Metal Concentrators, goes to the finalist with the highest number of votes from the public on Anglo American's Facebook page.
All the one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces entered for PlatAfrica will be available from 29 October for sale online. The top 10 pieces from each category will be available on the House of Nala AFI online store for a limited period. They will go live after the show on 29 October, and the balance of the 2021 collection will be available on Metal Concentrators online store.
For images of the finalists' pieces, please click here.
To buy any of the finalists' pieces, please visit AFI's designer boutique store at www.afiboutique.com