Zazi’s African themed chair earns him spot in the 2017 Izitulo Challenge

Attendees admire Minenhle Zazi’s Ivoko inspired chair at the Leon at CCXIX showroom in Woodstock. 


Second year Interior Design student, Minenhle Zazi’s “Ivoko" or African beer strainer inspired chair  earned him a spot in the 12 IZITULO challenge with Leon at CCXIX competition.

Zazi was one of the 12 finalist in the challenge created an African inspired chair named Ihluzo. His chair resembles Ivoko, which is made of weaved thatched and is used to strain sorghum flotsam from the beer surface during the process of brewing. 

“Reason I chose the African culture was because it is close to home, and I want to make sure I still make the most of what I still know about my culture,” said Zazi.
In the age where young designers steer away from their heritage by creating Western inspired designs, Zazi says his chair is a way of saying, “let us not forget about who we are or where we come from.”




IZITULO challenge with Leon at CCXIX finalist, Minenhle Zazi. 


Zazi who also enjoys cooking, bodybuilding and photography used as little material as he possibly could to keep the manufacturing costs low.
He strongly feels that young African designers need platforms where they can discuss and share information.

Zazi entered the competition not just to win but also to put his name out there as a budding designer.
“It is a stepping stone to telling all the other stories that I wasn’t to share with everyone making my art known,” concluded Zazi. 


His chair was  part of an exhibition at the Leon at CCXIX showroom in Woodstock. The winner of the challenge was announced at a glittering event in Johannesburg.  

-MONGI KHANYILE

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