Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) announced the winners of its twenty-second yearly PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition on October 29, as part of the 2021 African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion Week Joburg.

The awards ceremony – hosted by Amplats in partnership with Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India – promotes innovation and technical expertise in platinum jewellery design and manufacturing in South Africa – providing international exposure to jewellers, apprentices and students.

This year’s theme – metamorphosis – was developed in consultation with PGI India and was inspired by the transformation phases that a caterpillar undergoes to morph into a butterfly. In total, 109 entries were received and the judges selected 20 finalists across the professional and student/apprentice categories.

Amplats CEO Natascha Viljoen says PlatAfrica continues to play an important role in unearthing and celebrating creative talent. “This year’s entries, inspired by the metamorphosis theme, blew the adjudicators away.”

She adds that Amplats’ successful partnership with AFI is one example of the work Amplats continues to do with the local industry and global partners to explore new and innovative ways to facilitate access to new markets for platinum group metals and grow sustainable demand for South African-produced jewellery and design.

“We believe there is a significant opportunity to develop and grow the local platinum jewellery industry, thereby contributing to job creation and economic growth – especially now, where the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will be felt for years to come,” says Viljoen.

WINNERS

This year's overall winners in the professional category are father and son duo Chris and Jannie Janse Van Rensburg from Studio C for their John Lennon inspired Imagine neckpiece of platinum.

Lené Swartz from David Bolding is the runner-up for her innovative ring design that spoke to the changes in her life, while Johann Claassens from Piccolo Fine Designer Jewellery won third place with a platinum pendant.

The winner of the student/apprentice category is Patricia Tshabalala from J Hind Jewellers for her kinetic platinum pendant.

Lebogang Ledwaba from the Limpopo Jewellery Business Incubator is the runner-up for her World of Mask neckpiece, while Tokelo Mphomane from Pneuma Jewellers ranks third for their enlightenment neckpiece inspired by the lotus flower.

In addition, Dumisani Mahlangu won this year’s People Choice Award. This 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.

The top four finalists in each category received a cash prize, while the winners and runners-up from both categories will attend a weeklong workshop with PGI India and may be eligible to participate in the design sourcing process for one of PGI India’s brands, subject to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

All the one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces entered for PlatAfrica will be available for sale online, while the top ten pieces from each category will be available on the House of Nala AFI online store for a limited period.