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The winners of the 23rd annual prestigious PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition (https://plat.africa/) were announced during a gala awards ceremony held at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.
The awards are hosted annually by Anglo American Platinum, Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India. The competition aims to help showcase local jewellery manufacturing and design talent and build a pipeline of talent in the South African platinum jewellery design and manufacture industry, by providing skills development among local jewellers, artisans, and students. In so doing, the competition supports local beneficiation of jewellery for global consumers through locally sourced quality platinum as a jewellery metal of choice.
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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 commitment to sustainability in a modern world facing numerous challenges.
When tackling this year’s challenge, the designers focused on 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.
The 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 the world’s fastest growing market for this product. This international exposure for their innovation and technical expertise is a key attraction for those entering the PlatAfrica competition.