From hand-embroidered tapestries to sculptural lighting and geometric rugs, Clout/SA is bringing South African craft and contemporary design into conversation with the world.
South African design has a way of carrying its stories through materials. Thread, beads, cork, clay and wool become more than decorative elements; they hold memories, reflect identity and connect generations of makers to new audiences. Clout/SA is building on this legacy, bringing local designers and craftspeople into spaces that place their work at the centre of the experience. Its latest project, the Isaac Shongwe Room in Johannesburg, is a striking example of what happens when South African creativity is given room to speak.
“We wanted anyone who entered to be blown away by the powerful, vibrant expressions of South African design and craft, ‘To be moved by how unique our creativity is and to understand that when South Africans join together, we are a magnificent force that has the ability to change people’s perceptions of who we are as a nation.”-Tracy Lynch, Executive Creative Director of Clout/SA.
At the heart of the room is The Resilience Piece, a monumental embroidered tapestry by the Keiskamma Art Project. Created by approximately 12 artists over nearly a year, the work documents a rural Eastern Cape community’s experience of the Covid-19 pandemic through intricate textile storytelling. Nearby, geometric rugs by Siyanda Mbele, sculptural cork installations by Wiid Design, beaded screens by Kalki Design Studio and a handcrafted pendant by Mash.T Design Studio contribute their own material languages to the space.
‘The collaboration process helps us; it connects us with the outside world. We are quite isolated here in Hamburg in the Eastern Cape; we are not exposed to as much media or social media. Winning the AIDA award recognises us, it recognises the collaboration with Clout/SA. This helps shine a light on our projects, our community and the work we do, which will bring new partnerships and collaborations, helping us grow and evolve,-Cebo Mvubu, Director of the Keiskamma Art Project.
Together, these works demonstrate how local design can transform an interior into something more meaningful: a meeting point for craftsmanship, community and contemporary South African identity. The project recently earned Clout/SA recognition at the inaugural African Interior Design Awards (AIDA) 2026 in Cotonou, Benin. The Isaac Shongwe Room was among three recognised projects, alongside the Union House office redesign and Stitched: A Story of Our Home, a collaborative textile collection developed with the Keiskamma Art Project that was named Product of the Year in the Homeware and Decoration category.
Beyond The Awards
Beyond the awards, the recognition speaks to a broader movement in South African design — one that connects heritage and innovation while creating opportunities for local makers to reach new markets. Since 2021, Clout/SA has facilitated more than R225 million in South African design exports, placing over 70,000 works across more than 25 countries.
Through its platform, collaborations and ongoing support for emerging designers, Clout/SA continues to build connections between creative practice and commercial opportunity. The Isaac Shongwe Room brings that vision into focus, showing how design can preserve stories, elevate local talent and shift perceptions of South African creativity.
Design, in this context, is more than what fills a room. It is a way of telling our stories, on our own terms.
CREDITS FOR IMAGES:
Isaac Shongwe room:
- Photographer: Greg Cox
- Stylist, Creative Director: Tracy Lynch, Clout/SA
