Award-winning designers exhibiting at the fair
PlatAfrica is a platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition initiated by Valterra Platinum, one of the world's leading platinum mining companies. Over twenty-seven years it has continued to discover emerging South African design talent, bringing them to the world stage and building a bridge between platinum mining and high-end consumer markets. Through PlatAfrica, Valterra Platinum has not only consolidated South Africa's position as the world's leading platinum producer, but has also helped it rise as a centre of excellence for platinum design, craftsmanship and innovation.
2025 winning piece by designer Nihal Shah
PlatAfrica is far more than a competition. Its value rests on three pillars: the accessibility of platinum, the cultivation of professional skills, and connection to global markets. Through the programme, Valterra Platinum places raw platinum material in the hands of local designers, students and apprentices and significantly lowers the barrier to obtaining the material — enabling many eligible entrants to work with this precious metal for the very first time — so that they can take part. This unique model allows both emerging and established designers to freely explore platinum's infinite possibilities while honing the professional skills needed to manufacture this top-tier jewellery material.
2025 winning piece by designer Siyabonga Retshe
Since its founding, PlatAfrica has supported more than a thousand designers and jewellery artisans, passing on valuable design and manufacturing skills; every year, 60–90 professional entrants and 120–150 students and apprentices gain professional experience through the programme. By promoting deeper local processing of the country's minerals and the transmission of craft, the value the programme creates goes far beyond jewellery itself — it supports individual career development, brings communities together and injects vitality into South Africa's creative economy. Every year, entrants interpret an annual theme through the medium of platinum, taking their ideas from concept development through to finished manufacture, using digital or handcrafted methods as appropriate. Judging focuses on creativity, innovation and superb platinum craftsmanship, encouraging designers to keep exploring platinum's artistic expression and commercial potential.
Platinum artisans demonstrating their craft at the September Hong Kong Jewellery Show
Nurturing Africa's next generation of Platinum Design talented young designers have always been at the heart of PlatAfrica's mission. The platform offers designers contact with industry leaders, professional judging guidance, mentorship and manufacturing experience, as well as valuable opportunities to connect with buyers, retailers and the media. Award-winning designers receive recognition, prize money and international exposure, allowing South African design to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading jewellery brands. The programme's impact is perhaps best illustrated by the achievements of past winners. Rob Burton is the founder of Platandia, a jewellery studio in Cape Town, whose team won the 2025 PlatAfrica Grand Prize with the platinum piece Eclipse. Platandia's success not only reflects the outstanding talent in South Africa's jewellery industry, but once again confirms PlatAfrica's commitment to paving the way for local designers to build an international reputation.
The PlatAfrica booth at the September Hong Kong Jewellery Show
Looking back on the achievement, Burton said: “Winning PlatAfrica with Eclipse is a great honour for me, and powerful proof that South Africa has world-class design and manufacturing capability. Through PlatAfrica, the Platandia brand has been able to appear at leading international events such as the Couture Show in Las Vegas and the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, showing the world that South African jewellery design and craftsmanship can absolutely compete on the global luxury stage.”
2025 winning piece by designer Rob Burton
“PlatAfrica took part in the September 2026 JGW Hong Kong Jewellery Show, fully showcasing South African character. It presented outstanding platinum jewellery design to a global audience while promoting luxury brands proudly rooted in Africa and aimed at international markets. This platform raises designers' visibility, creates market access opportunities and drives the market, selling South African platinum jewellery through international exposure. We look forward to shining again at an international jewellery event,” commented Fahmida Smith, Head of Market Development at Valterra Platinum.
Fahmida Smith, Chief Head of Market Development at Valterra Platinum
PlatAfrica's success is not only a success for South African platinum jewellery, but also the best possible inspiration for the world: the force of innovative design needs more support, more attention and to be seen.