From Daily Maverick · Aneesa Adams · · 1m 50s
Zulu heritage meets modern comfort in furniture design
Durban designer Siyanda Mbele translates Zulu culture into sleek, functional furniture that rejects African design stereotypes.
In brief
Durban designer Siyanda Mbele translates Zulu culture into sleek, functional furniture that rejects African design stereotypes. Siyanda Mbele, founder of Pinda Furniture and Interior Design, has been selected for Création Africa, a seven-month business incubation programme, to expand his Zulu-inspired contemporary…
The name behind the vision
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Siyanda Mbele founded Pinda Furniture and Interior Design, taking the name from the isiZulu word phinda, meaning again or constant motion. The word reflects his philosophy of repetition and continuous progress.
“Just looking at how we do everything repeatedly, again and again and again.”
Selected for Création Africa
Mbele has been selected for the second edition of Création Africa, a seven-month business incubation programme organised by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France and Ifas.
The Mvelo Desk breakthrough
In two thousand sixteen at the Southern Guild Gallery exhibition in Cape Town, Mbele created the Mvelo Desk, a work of art and engineered workspace decorated with diamond and chevron patterns representing masculinity and femininity.
“When we made the Mvelo Desk, we knew we were onto something special.”
Zulu culture shapes his work
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Mbele draws inspiration from Zulu traditions and family stories. He translates the intricate detail found in traditional beadwork into his furniture designs, bringing meticulous craftsmanship and mathematical precision to contemporary pieces.
“I'm Zulu, so my culture naturally influences a lot of my work.”
The Zulu Chair for African bodies
Mbele designed the Zulu Chair by researching ergonomics and drawing on personal experience to create furniture for African bodies. Showcased at Maison and Objet in Paris, guests found it both bold and comfortable.
“We didn't want it to be a minimal approach. We needed to make the width of it bigger but in a subtle way.”
Création Africa's impact
The programme came at the perfect time for Mbele. Through mentorship sessions and support, Création Africa shaped his current direction and business strategy, which he describes as impactful for Pinda's development.
“A huge part of what we're doing now has been shaped by the outcomes of Création Africa.”
A dream renewed
A Création Africa mentor asked Mbele about his wildest dream, reviving his childhood ambition to have a showroom overseas. He now plans to take Pinda Furniture and Interior Design global, with products accessible to everyone.
“I always dreamed of having a showroom in London, or somewhere overseas where people could easily access our products.”
What it means
Siyanda Mbele, founder of Pinda Furniture and Interior Design, has been selected for Création Africa, a seven-month business incubation programme, to expand his Zulu-inspired contemporary furniture globally.
