SA designer Thebe Magugu brings his Afro-modernist vision to Cape Town with the launch of the Thebe Magugu Suite at Mount Nelson and Magugu House, a concept store and cultural hub celebrating African creativity and design.
This November sees the opening of Magugu House, a concept space that’s part store, part gallery, and part cultural hub. Then in December, he’ll reveal the Thebe Magugu Suite at Mount Nelson, his first move into interior design and a bold step into the world of hospitality.
Inside the Suite
For his debut in interiors, Magugu has transformed one of the Mount Nelson’s historic wings into a two-floor sanctuary. The design balances calm and creativity, weaving African heritage with a touch of British tradition.
Guests enter through a striking lobby that leads into a lounge and dining area designed for intimate gatherings, complete with a cocktail cabinet. Upstairs, a private terrace opens onto sweeping views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the palm-lined entrance that makes the Nellie so recognisable.
The palette shifts from deep greens to warm harvest tones, with terrazzo floors in earthy shades. Hand-sketched wallpaper reimagines a Southern African landscape, unfolding from the hills of the Midlands to the cliffs of the Cape. Carved timber furniture, pleated fabrics and ceremonial details ground the suite in African craft, while curated artworks from Southern Guild, including pieces by Mmangaliso Nzuza, Lulama Wolf, Zandile Tshabalala and Trevor Stuurman bring the walls to life.
In the dining room, Magugu adds personal touches that nod to his heritage: a pendant light inspired by the Basotho Mokorotlo hat, furniture shaped like traditional pottery, and pleated textiles that recall his grandmother carefully preparing her Sunday church outfits. Upstairs, the king-size bedroom pairs neutral tones with accents of rust red, complete with hand-carved bedposts and a custom rug. The bathroom continues the story, with a freestanding tub in shades of brown and burgundy designed to mimic the warmth of a cave.
“My work is rooted in preservation” says Magugu.
“I created this suite with the intention of offering guests the experience of living within a space that encapsulates our culture through art, craft, and history – while also providing a sense of ease and comfort, reflective of the gracious hospitality the Mount Nelson has extended for over 126 years.” – Thebe Magugu.
Magugu House Cape Town
Opening just weeks before the suite, Magugu House Cape Town gives the designer a permanent base in the city. Like its Johannesburg counterpart, it’s part store and part gallery, but with its own rhythm.
Visitors will find limited-edition garments and accessories alongside curated exhibitions, starting with Zizipho Poswa’s sculptural works and photography by Zanele Muholi.
The space is also designed as a cultural hub, hosting talks, screenings and salon-style events, and featuring a curated selection of books and objects that celebrate African design, literature and craft.
Magugu describes it as a home for “Afro-Modernity”, where heritage, the present, and imagined futures can exist in conversation.
Why Now?
Both launches are tied to Confections x Collections, Mount Nelson’s annual celebration of Pan-African fashion curated by Twyg. The 2025 edition will see Magugu showcase his Spring/Summer 2026 collection, while opening both the suite and Magugu House.
Handy Calendar…
- Confections x Collections runs from 6 – 8 November 2025.
- Magugu House Cape Town opens to the public on 10 November 2025.
- The Thebe Magugu Suite opens for bookings in December 2025.
A fashion label that began with clothing now stretches into spaces, stories and experiences rooted in African creativity.
