This Women's Day, we're celebrating the fearless and talented women who are redefining the South African design landscape. These pioneers prove that the most impactful work often comes from a place of authenticity, personal history, and a willingness to break the mould. We're highlighting just a few of these incredible changemakers who showcased their remarkable work at Decorex Africa, sharing their stories and valuable advice for the next generation.
Xolela Madlanga: The artist of beautiful accidents
Visual artist Xolela Madlanga's journey into design began as a beautiful accident. What started as doodling and painting a friend's face for a photoshoot evolved into a celebrated career. Her work, which was featured in the Clout/SA Thread Collection, celebrates 10 years of the Nando's Hot Young Designer programme. Her patterns are a vibrant fusion of culture and heritage, capturing feelings and expressions rooted in her experiences.
Madlanga's advice: "Take yourself seriously and take every chance you can to grow your craft and share it with the world."
Gillian Holl: The architect of healing spaces
What if buildings could heal people? This is the radical premise behind Gillian Holl's practice, Veld Architects. Her "Stillness in Motion" collaboration for Decorex was a masterclass in designing with feeling. She created a space that captured the serene experience of standing by the ocean, all from inside a luxury car.
Holl's advice: "You belong here. Trust your voice. The world doesn’t need you to copy what’s already been done; it needs your unique perspective. Don’t be afraid to take up space. Ask questions. Collaborate generously. And let your values lead you."
Thabiso Mjo: A pioneer on a global stage
Thabiso Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio discovered her calling after winning a pendant light competition. Her latest piece, the Smiley Pendant, radiates a contagious joy reminiscent of Beacon's Liquorice Allsorts. Mjo is not just a pioneer for women, but for the entire industry. She is the first and only South African designer to have her work included in the permanent collections of both the Pompidou Centre and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Mjo's advice: "Back the process, trust your instinct, and feedback or critique is not a criticism of you or your personhood, so don't take it personally."
Sinegugu Ngxongo: Weaving stories of ancestry
Sinegugu Ngxongo of Bambizulu grew up surrounded by women weavers whose hands told stories. Without formal training, she built her practice on a deep respect for ancestral knowledge. Her Hlabisa Bench, a collaboration with master weaver Beauty Ngxongo and furniture manufacturer Houtlander, is a love letter across generations, using traditional Zulu basket-weaving techniques to create a contemporary piece. Her latest work, The Brooms, transforms everyday cleaning tools into sculptural statements, challenging how we see the ordinary.
Ngxongo's advice: "Start with what you know. Your story, your background, your language – they’re all part of your design voice. And don’t wait for permission to take up space. Build your own room if you have to."
Donna Allin and Christine Daron: Weaving the wild and unlikely
Donna Allin and Christine Daron of African Jacquard are textile artists who weave with "the wild and unlikely." Their SeaCell blanket, made with sustainably harvested seaweed, showcased at Decorex Cape Town, demonstrates how creative risks and curiosity can lead to groundbreaking innovation.
Allin and Daron's advice: "Start now. Even if it’s messy or imperfect. Ask questions. Stay curious. And remember, you don’t need to be loud to be heard."
Lungiswa Joe: The voice in clay
In her Cape Town studio, ceramicist Lungiswa Joe shapes clay to tell stories. She describes her work as an expression of "grounded elegance and quiet strength" and a "reclaim of self-identity and lineage." Each piece is an autobiography in clay, a vessel that feels both ancient and contemporary.
Joe's advice: "Embrace the process – it's a journey of continuous learning. Find your unique voice - what makes your work distinctly yours? Cultivate that. It's not easy, but it comes. And build a community – find your tribe, other makers, or fellow creatives, who will be your oxygen at times when you feel like you can't breathe."
Petra Maierhofer: The intuitive innovator
Petra Maierhofer of Artep Studio doesn't "aim" because she believes it's too restrictive. Instead, she listens to her quiet voice that says, "create something unique." As the show’s 2025 Designer Spotlight, her stand featured metallic surfaces that made visitors feel like they were looking at water instead of walls. She embodies the balance between intuition and practicality in design.
Maierhofer's advice: "Don’t wait for permission. Don’t be afraid to be both intuitive and practical - design is as much about gut instinct as it is about structure. And trust your taste - if something feels off, it probably is."
The next generation of design
These women, and many others, were featured in the Women in Design showcase, curated by Bilala Mabuza of Cocoon Lifestyle Studio. This landmark exhibition celebrated a diverse cross-section of designers, blending local influences with global relevance. It’s a powerful testament to the talent and vision shaping the future of South African design.
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