South African design is making its mark internationally, and SAFI member, Nyambose Group, is demonstrating how local thinking can combine cultural identity, sustainability and practical problem-solving in one innovative piece of furniture.
Designed by Mangaliso Mtetwa, Senior Architect at Nyambose Group, Ubuntu Curve is a modular seating system inspired by the South African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” Designed and manufactured in South Africa, it uses FSC-certified timber and recycled steel and has been engineered around circular-design principles including modularity, repairability and longevity.
“Ubuntu Curve was designed around the idea of connection,” explains Mtetwa. “It is about creating furniture that brings people together, but also responds practically to the way people use shared spaces.”
A curve with a purpose
One of its most innovative features is also the one that gives Ubuntu Curve its distinctive form. The curved sections incorporate space for parking bicycles, scooters and motorbikes alongside the seating area – allowing users to sit close to their transport rather than leaving it elsewhere. Mtetwa’s own description of the system identifies bicycle parking as one of its key functional features.
This makes the concept particularly relevant for contemporary public and urban environments. It could be used in parks, campuses, transport precincts, office developments, shopping centres and mixed-use developments, as well as hospitality and corporate environments. The system has been designed specifically for flexible use in public spaces and contract and hospitality interiors.
The integrated parking also makes more efficient use of space, while allowing cyclists and riders to keep their bicycles, scooters or motorbikes conveniently alongside them, explains Mtetwa: “It is functional art. The curve has a visual identity, but it also has a purpose. Good design should respond to how people actually move through and use a space.”
Made in South Africa, recognised internationally
Ubuntu Curve is handcrafted and manufactured locally, combining recycled steel with FSC-certified timber. Its modular construction means components can be configured for different environments, while repairability and adaptability can help extend the product’s useful lifespan.
The design has already achieved significant international recognition, winning two German Design Awards 2026: Excellent Product Design: Furniture, and Excellent Product Design: Circular Design. (German Design Award)
Setting sights on global markets
As a SAFI member, Nyambose Group is part of SAFI’s drive to showcase South African furniture and design talent internationally. Following a successful exhibition at SARCDA, Mtetwa is keen to pursue future opportunities through SAFI, including applying for Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) support to exhibit at international trade shows.
For Mtetwa, international exposure is an opportunity to show what South African design can offer: “We have our own stories, our own design language and enormous manufacturing talent. Ubuntu Curve shows that something deeply rooted in South Africa can still have relevance anywhere in the world.”
For more information, contact nyambosearchitects@gmail.com, 073 324 9456
