As part of its ongoing strategy to build the platinum jewellery market, Anglo American Platinum is hosting the 23rd edition of PlatAfrica – South Africa’s premier platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition.
Working in partnership with Platinum Guild International India (PGI India) and Metal Concentrators, this year’s PlatAfrica competition focuses on the theme of #Hope. Entrants were tasked with creating innovative designs that speak to global and social themes, with designs that demonstrate trust in artisanry in a world contending with uncertainty.
“Being at the forefront of PGM market and product development is what we are consistently striving for as an industry leader. Our track record in championing and developing platinum jewellery design and manufacturing through PlatAfrica is a testament to our commitment to creating a resilient end market for our metals, as well as enduring value through a meaningful springboard for creative talent in our industry. This year, designers were required to interpret the #Hope theme in the context of sustainability and an improved planet. The finalists have done an outstanding job bringing these interconnected concepts to life, and demonstrating that despite the many challenges we face, it is fundamentally our hope that fuels our ingenuity. The selected finalists represent the best of South Africa’s technical excellence in platinum jewellery design, and I am proud of each and everyone of them,” said Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum.”
The two categories of adjudication are individual students/apprentices and individual professionals, who will vie for the honours in South Africa’s flagship platinum jewellery design competition. Finished statement jewellery items, incorporating platinum as a core component of their design, will be judged for interpretation of the #Hope theme and technical expertise. Entries ranged from neckpieces to earrings, rings and armpieces.
Winners will receive a cash prize, national media exposure and the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses-paid design workshop at PGI India to further their platinum jewellery design craft in one of the world’s fastest-growing jewellery markets.
This year’s finalists are:
Professional category:
- Aimee Bredenkamp (Prins and Prins Diamonds)
- Jane Merrifield (Tuesday’s Child Jewellery Design)
- Mandlenkosi Moses None and Nnete Koketso Mokgothu (The Platinum Incubator – Mo Nkosi & Nnete Jewellers)
- Rajesh Shah (J Hind Jewellers)
- Sifiso Khumalo (Sivana Africa)
- Ann ten Cate (Van Deijl Jewellers)
- Chris van Rensburg (Studio C Manufacturing Jewellers)
- Samantha Vincent (Durban University of Technology)
- Kim Nel (Van Deijl Jewellers)
- Louis Koen (The Jewellery System)
Student/apprentice category:
- Jana Basson (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)
- Thembani Gobingca (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)
- Ntuthuko Jaxa (Pneuma Jewellers)
- Advocate Nhlavutelo Khosa (Mizane Jewellers)
- Bob Tshidiso Kolatsoeu (Pneuma Jewellers)
- Jané Schoeman (Prins and Prins Diamonds)
- Kabelo Sebusi (The Platinum Incubator)
- Ditebogo Sesana (Rare Earth Creations)
- Patricia Ntombizodwa Tshabalala and Thembi Dingeni (J Hind Jewellers)
- Phillipus Wilhelmus Vorster (Rare Earth Creations)
The judges awarded special mentions to a trio of outstanding ring submissions from Mianca Grobbelaar (Prins and Prins Diamonds), Vuyani Gumede (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), and Roger A. Sash (Akapo Jewels).
Click here to view the entries