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Finalists announced for PlatAfrica 2020 jewellery design competition

26 Oct 2020

Celebrating its 21st year as South Africa's premier platinum jewellery and manufacturing competition, PlatAfrica has announced the 20 finalists for this year's competition, which for the first time focused exclusively on men's jewellery.

Ring with detachable components by Rob Burton, Emile Pitout and Abudullah Zayd from Platandia.

Hosted annually by Anglo American Platinum in partnership with Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, PlatAfrica aims to promote innovation and technical expertise in platinum jewellery design and manufacturing in South Africa.

This year’s theme – Designed for Men of Platinum – was developed in consultation with PGI India and was inspired by consumer research that identifies men’s jewellery as a growing demand segment for platinum jewellery, but with a limited product offering.

“Platinum has been a highly sought-after jewellery metal for consumers for decades and we are proud of the many firsts that are being incorporated in this year’s 21st edition of PlatAfrica. For the first time, the competition focuses on men’s jewellery, which is an underserviced market segment," said Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum.

We’re proud to introduce our #PlatAfrica 2020 finalists! These top 20 professional & student/apprentice finalists have created jewellery that’s “Designed for Men of Platinum”. Winners will be announced during @AFI_SA Joburg Fashion Week on 13 November: https://t.co/WLxpk5AHrq pic.twitter.com/36O33jbbOg
— Anglo American ZA (@AngloAmericanZA) October 23, 2020

As PlatAfrica aims to promote platinum jewellery to a broader audience, the competition is partnering with African Fashion International (AFI) to showcase finalists’ pieces as part of Joburg Fashion Week 2020. The winners will be announced during a virtual showcase event on 13 November, with models dressed by South African menswear brand, Carducci.

All the one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces entered for PlatAfrica will be available for sale online. The store will be hosted on the AFI Designer Boutique for a limited period and will go live after the show on 13 November.

2020 finalists

Professional category:

Stacy Beukes (A Ring To It); Rob Burton, Rajesh Shah (J Hind Jewellers); Rob Burton, Emile Pitout and Abdullah Zayd (Platandia); Labi Kapo (Akapo Jewels); Fang-Yu Liao & Aurelien Brandt (Michl Jewellery and Brandt Adornment); Jane Merrifield (Tuesday’s Child Jewellery Design); Mandlenkosi None and Nnete Mokgothu (Mo Nkosi and Nnete Jewellery Manufacturers); Nihal Shah (Vijay Shah Concepts); Shikant Shah (Shah Jewellers); Christina Toros (Prins & Prins); and Lungile Xhwantini (The Platinum Incubator).

Multifunctional rings by Christina Toros from Prins & Prins.

Student/apprentice category:

Ross Kellerman (Cape Peninsula University of Technology); Thembi Maduna (Vijay Shah Concepts); Kgabo Justice Makibelo (The Platinum Incubator); Liam McRobert (Ruth Prowse School of Art); Malefa Phoofolo (Tinsel); Alexander Rawháni (Shohreh Custom Made); Ntsikelelo Shange (Akapo Jewels); Busisiwe Sinini (The Platinum Incubator); Thembelihle Sishi (Durban University of Technology); and Rejoice Lerato Setshedi (The Platinum Incubator).

Pendant by Ntsikelelo Shange from Akapo Jewels.

Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, founder of AFI, commented: “PlatAfrica has built a reputation for inspiring creativity and quality in platinum jewellery design in South Africa. What excites me about our partnership with PlatAfrica is the opportunity to develop and grow nascent talent into international excellence, thus contributing to our creative capital as well job creation and economic growth.”