Portraits by Theana Breugem
Now in its fourth iteration, HYD aims to unearth saucy new designs for Nando’s restaurants around the world and fire up the careers of emerging local creatives. The popular competition, which is facilitated by Clout/SA, has just announced its much-awaited list of ten finalists for 2022. HYD tasked young designers with […]
“The biennial Nando’s HYD competition is a highlight of the design sector’s calendar. Many of these designs go on to become best-sellers on the Nando’s Portal to Africa, the restaurant chain’s online marketplace for interior designers working on their restaurants around the globe, thereby driving revenue to the designers’ start-up businesses, and helping grow this exciting sector through inclusive access to opportunities and a global market. This is about changing lives by making sure we utilise the platform we have to shine a light on creativity and opportunity!” enthuses Clout/SA Director Tracy Lynch.
The competition received 134 entries from across the country, making the judging process a tough call for the adjudication panel. The finalists were chosen by 12 local and global industry judges. Alongside judges from the Clout/SA and Nando’s teams, the prestigious panel included Ngaire Blankenberg, the South African born director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in the US; Thabisa Mjo, the very first winner of HYD back in 2016 who has gone on to be a multi-award-winning flagbearer for South African deign; Karen Brumfield, head of furniture buying for local retailer @home; Gareth van Niekerk and Alan Hayward, founders and directors of designer-maker focused retailer, Always Welcome; Visi magazine editor, Steve Smith; Sophie Douglas, the director and lead designer UK’s Fusion Interior design, as well as Paul Thrush, the founder and design director Stack Architects, also based in UK.
“I was excited by the complexity of ideas each designer brought to the ‘assignment’. From gender, to nature, to histories, to cultures; the design approaches demonstrated a thoughtfulness, sensitivity and ultimately so much love for the complicated, diverse, ever-changing nature of this beautiful country of ours. I felt very proud,” says Ngaire Blankenberg.
“Once again there were some tough calls to make given the quality of the entries, but there were some definite standouts for me in terms of originality and expanding the Nando’s design DNA.” Visi’s Steve Smith adds.
The judging took place during August and September 2022, and in no particular order, the 2022 HYD finalists are: Nikhil Tricam, Lindelani Hlophe, Thabiso Nkonyeni, Siyanda Magaba, Daphne Lephoto, Minenhle Zazi Cira, Makhi Mthati, Ryan Pinches, Mbali Maseko, Nomonde Dubazane.
All 10 finalist were invited to a mentorship session hosted by Clout/SA that took place in October 2022. The overall winners of Nando’s HYD 2022, Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam of Kalki Ceramics were announced at the mentorship event which formed part of this year’s Basha Uhuru youth festival at Constitution Hill.
