The winners of the 23^rd annual prestigious PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition were announced during a gala awards ceremony held at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.

Hosted annually by Anglo American Platinum, Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, the awards contribute to showcasing local jewellery manufacturing and design talent and building a pipeline of talent in the South African platinum jewellery design and manufacture industry by providing skills development among local jewellers, artisans and students. In so doing, the competition supports local beneficiation of jewellery for global consumers through locally sourced quality platinum as a jewellery metal of choice.

PlatAfrica winners receive a cash prize, media exposure and the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses paid design workshop at PGI India to learn more about the design and manufacturing of platinum jewellery in the world’s fastest growing market for this product. This international exposure for their innovation and technical expertise is a key attraction for those entering the PlatAfrica competition.

The theme for this year’s competition – #Hope – was developed in consultation with PGI India, and was inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic and the commitment to sustainability in a modern world facing numerous challenges.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, said: “PlatAfrica is a demonstration of our commitment to re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives, exposing the talented and dynamic selection of finalists to access and use platinum metal, allowing them to expand to much greater possibilities with their creative talents. I am proud and extremely impressed by how each of you have translated your concepts, designs and creativity to the theme of #Hope using platinum. Despite the challenges that Covid-19 has put us through, we have emerged stronger, inspired and even more hopeful. It is for this very reason that we are able to draw inspiration from platinum – its malleability, strength and ability to withstand pressure and heat. Our finalists drew on these qualities to create imaginative and intricate pieces. They have proven that they can use their skills, creativity and discipline to create beauty. This reveals the enormous calibre of talent in our local industry that came together to produce these magnificent works of art.”

The competition is one of the market development initiatives through which Anglo American Platinum contributes to the local platinum industry. This year, PlatAfrica featured a total of 185 entries across South Africa for student/apprentice and professional categories. Judges looked for creativity, originality, and interpretation of the #Hope theme, as well as technical excellence.

Designers were tasked with creating innovative pieces that embrace sustainability while speaking to new perspectives, interconnectedness, and transitions brought about by their Covid-19 experiences. The pieces were also expected to represent sustainability in their design and demonstrate modernity, inclusivity, and have a cultural expression of homegrown design.

This year's winners in the Professional category are:

1. Samantha Vincent from Durban University of Technology is the overall winner in this category for her traditions-inspired adornment, ‘Gathered’, a neckpiece of beads and platinum.
2. Mandlenkosi Moses None and Nnete Koketso Mokgothu from The Platinum Incubator – Mo Nkosi & Nnete Jewellers are the first runners-up for their “Ithemba Elihle – Beautiful Hope”, a design piece that speaks to a sense of belonging to the African continent.
3. Aimee Bredenkamp from Prins and Prins Diamonds is the second runner-up for her magnificent “Radiating Hope” ring design.
4. Rajesh Shah from J Hind Jewellers is the third runner-up for his glorious pendant, ‘Elpis’, which means hope in Greek.

 The winners in the Student/Apprentice category are:

1. Phillipus Wilhelmus Vorster from Rare Earth Creations (Pty) Ltd is the overall winner in this category for his innovative “Two Sparrows” ring inspired by a Bible passage in Luke 12.
2. Ditebogo Sesana, also from Rare Earth Creations (Pty) Ltd, is the first runner-up for his distinctive “Resilience” ring design.
3. Jané Schoeman from Prins and Prins Diamonds placed third for her ‘Interlinked’ pair of platinum earrings that spoke to the value of connection and community.
4. Bob Tshidiso Kolatsoeu from Pneuma Jewellers placed fourth for his interesting neckpiece ‘Born to Rebuild’.

Mandlenkosi Moses None and Nnete Koketso Mokgothu are this year’s People’s Choice award winner for their ‘Ithemba elihle’ bracelet.  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. Online audiences also had the unique opportunity to experience the jewellery pieces on themselves using augmented reality – bringing a new dimension to showcasing the unique and inspiring designs from entrants this year.

The judges also 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 Sash (Akapo Jewels).

For images of the finalists' entries, please click here.

This year the pieces were sold through an online auction on the night of the event. To buy any of the finalists' remaining pieces, please visit the PlatAfrica online store.