The winners of the twenty-third yearly PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition were announced during a gala awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on October 28. 

Hosted every year by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, the awards showcase local jewellery manufacturing and design talent.  

The awards are aimed at supporting the building of a pipeline of talent in the South African platinum jewellery design and manufacture industry, by providing skills development among local jewellers, artisans and students.  

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 a fast-growing market.   

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 pursuit of sustainability. 

“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,” Amplats CEO Natascha Viljoen said. 

The competition is one of Amplats’ local platinum market development initiatives. 

This year, PlatAfrica had 185 entries across South Africa in the student/apprentice and professional categories. Judges looked for creativity, originality, interpretation of the ‘hope’ theme, as well as technical excellence.  

According to Amplats, those designers who wished to compete 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. 

WINNERS  

Durban University of Technology lecturer Samantha Vincent was declared the overall winner in the Professional category for her traditions-inspired adornment, ‘Gathered’, a neckpiece of beads and platinum. 

Rare Earth Creations student designer Phillipus Wilhelmus Vorster won overall in the student/apprentice category for his ‘Two Sparrows’ ring inspired by a Bible passage in Luke 12. 

Platinum Incubator designers Mandlenkosi Moses None and Nnete Koketso Mokgothu won the people’s choice award for their ‘Ithemba Elihle’ or ‘Beautiful Hope’ bracelet.   

The award and cash prize, sponsored by Metal Concentrators, would go to the finalist with the highest number of public votes on the Amplats Facebook page. Online audiences also had the opportunity to experience wearing the jewellery pieces themselves using augmented reality.