... in February 2020, we were announced the winner of the "Most Beautiful Object in South Africa" at the 2020 Design Indaba Conference.
What a special moment, what a surprise, what an honour... this gives us a ton of new motivation to hold on to our dream ... helping young people to realise, what value their hands can create...
And now, about one year later, it finally arrived... the trophy as a symbol and a reminder, that we are doing something unique, special and precious.
We feel so blessed with the attention that follows this competition. It proves to us, that people do care about social and environmental responsibility.
The DELICATE bracelet may now be named the "Most Beautiful Object in South Africa"
The story behind this bracelet is as special, as the whole project. When planning, how I can start izandla-zethu and which kind of jewels we can create, I tried different shapes and sizes... DELICATE was actually a member from the very beginning. That is quite a while ago... in summer 2018, back from this overwhelming first workshop in South Africa, supported by masifunde.
Never thought that this jewel would actually be the physical representative of our idea... generally, and especially in this event.
Design Indaba's annual endeavour to find the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa manifests as a competition open to public votes and an exhibition. The competition has been running consecutively for the last 13 years, with this year’s iteration supported by Mercedes-Benz South Africa. A range of ten incredible designs were nominated by 10 public personalities, with each vying for the coveted title.
The Delicate Bracelet, which was nominated by Blessing Ngobeni, was voted in as the uncontested winner by members of the public. The Delicate Bracelet was made by the non-profit community project Izandla Zethuthat is based in Walmer, Port Elizabeth. The NPO creates employment and develops skills to empower young people. The bracelet is made using corrugated iron, a material commonly used to build shelters in informal settlements.
It symbolises the transformation of poverty into beauty through creativity. “Other than the fact that it is handmade from recycled material, I like the fact that it is made from corrugated iron sheet–a piece of material that we, as South Africans, are familiar with and many of us hold dear,” explains Ngobeni.
“The material of the bracelet got me thinking about the meaning of beauty, and even adds to my view about beauty–that it has to be honest and truthful.”