A new horizon for PlatAfrica – finalists for the 2025 competition announced
29 September, 2025
PlatAfrica is a flagship market development initiative intended to champion innovation in platinum jewellery design and manufacturing. It celebrates South Africa’s position as the largest producer of platinum in the world and as a centre of platinum jewellery-making excellence representing our belief in the importance of beneficiation. PlatAfrica is hosted annually by Valterra Platinum, previously Anglo American Platinum, in partnership with Platinum Guild International (PGI) and Metal Concentrators.
Entries opened in May, and participants were asked to take inspiration from this year’s theme – New Horizons – alluding to emerging forms, fashions, and meanings in the future of jewellery. Now in its 26th year, the PlatAfrica competition has been a platform for professional and emerging designers to showcase the beauty and versatility of platinum in jewellery craftsmanship. As the proud sponsor of the competition, Valterra Platinum remains deeply committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the platinum jewellery industry.
The PlatAfrica competition features three prize categories: professionals, apprentices and students, as well as the People’s Choice award, where the public have the opportunity to vote for their favourite jewellery piece. In addition to prize money, winners stand the chance to be considered for participation in an international design showcasing event in 2026.
“The exceptional talent of South African jewellers that is showcased at PlatAfrica is truly remarkable. We have received submissions of exquisite pieces – as we always do – and it is delightful to see how the possibility of new horizons in platinum jewellery, and its bright future, has been envisioned by this year’s entrants,” said Fahmida Smith, Principal Market Development at Valterra Platinum.
The 2025 finalists in each category and in alphebetical order are:
Professional
- Mercia Beukes, from Aurum
- Taryn Ann Bilson, from Mark Solomon Jewellers
- Esther Boshoff & Team, from Beaudell Designs
- Aimee Bredenkamp, from Mark Solomon Jewellers
- Ann ten Cate, from Mark Solomon Jewellers
- Osmond Davids, Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Osmond’s Handcrafted Jewellery
- Riefqah Davis, from Free Range Jewels
- Manuel Mpho Helepi, from Free Range Jewels
- Ronel Jordaan, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Gabriele Lourens, from Durban University of Technology
- Tshepo Makhetha, from Bakoena's fashion jewellery
- Bongumusa Mtshali, from The Jewellery Hub
- Emile Pitout, Lorin Bohm and Rob Burton, from Platandia Jewellery Collection
- Nihal Shah, from Vijay Shah Concepts
- Vijay Shah, from Vijay Shah Concepts
Student
- Jana Basson, from Free Range Jewels
- Siphe Demeshile from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Wesley Fransman, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Phineas Gumede from Pneuma Jewellers
- Njabulo Khuzwayo, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Simone Langeveldt, from Free Range Jewels
- Nolwazi Linda, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Seinoli Valentine Maketela, from Pneuma Jewellers
- Peter-Ivan Mitrovich, from Stellenbosch University
- Sibusisiwe Mtshali from Pneuma Jewellers
- Siyabonga Retshe, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Kelebogile Seleka, from Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Tshepo Sethosa, from Sivana Diamonds
- Lwandile Sibiya, from Durban University of Technology
The winners will be announced at the PlatAfrica Gala Dinner on 24 October 2025.