South Africa is the world’s leading source of platinum and holds a dominant share of global platinum reserves, making it the natural birthplace of one of the world’s most precious metals. Yet beyond mining, the country is forging a new legacy by transforming platinum into world-class luxury jewellery and creating global opportunities for a new generation of designers.

At the heart of this movement is PlatAfrica, Valterra Platinum’s flagship platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition. For 27 years, the programme has been identifying South African talent and showcasing on the world stage, creating a powerful connection between the source of the metal and the luxury markets where it is ultimately worn. Through PlatAfrica, Valterra Platinum is positioning South Africa not only as the world’s leading platinum producer, but also as a centre of excellence for platinum design, craftsmanship and innovation.

More than a competition, PlatAfrica is built on three pillars: access to platinum, skills development and market access. Through the programme, Valterra Platinum places platinum directly into the hands of local designers, students and apprentices, often providing first-time access to the metal by reducing a significant material-access barrier for participation of eligible entrants. This unique approach enables emerging and established designers to explore platinum’s possibilities while developing the specialised skills required to work with one of the world’s most prestigious jewellery materials.

Since its inception, PlatAfrica has equipped more than 1,000 designers and jewellers with valuable design and manufacturing skills, while annually supporting between 60 and 90 professional entrants and 120 to 150 students and apprentices*. By promoting local beneficiation and craftsmanship, the programme creates opportunities that extend far beyond jewellery, and can support career development, strengthen communities and contribute to South Africa’s creative economy.

Each year, participants are challenged to interpret an original theme through platinum, taking their ideas from concept development to manufacture, using digital or hand-based methods as appropriate. Entries are judged on creativity, innovation and technical mastery, pushing designers to explore the artistic and commercial potential of the metal.

For 2026, PlatAfrica introduces its new theme, “Equilibrium“, inviting designers to explore the balance between opposing forces. The theme encourages entrants to showcase platinum’s unique attributes while embracing a more consumer-focused design approach, balancing artistic expression with wearability, relevance and commercial appeal. The result is jewellery that not only inspires but also resonates with modern consumers and luxury buyers.

Creating Africa’s Next Generation of Platinum Design Talent

Young designers remain central to PlatAfrica’s mission. The platform provides exposure to industry leaders, professional adjudication, mentorship, manufacturing experience and valuable opportunities to connect with buyers, retailers and media. Winning designers receive recognition, prize money and international exposure, positioning South African talent alongside some of the world’s leading jewellery brands.

The programme’s impact is perhaps best illustrated through the achievements of its winners.

Rob Burton, founder of Cape Town-based jewellery studio Platandia, which was crowned the 2025 PlatAfrica winner for its platinum creation, Eclipse. Platandia’s success highlights the calibre of talent emerging from South Africa’s jewellery sector and demonstrates how PlatAfrica continues to create pathways for local designers to gain international recognition.

Reflecting on the achievement, Burton said:

“Winning PlatAfrica with Eclipse has been both an honour and a validation of the world-class design and manufacturing capability that exists in South Africa. Through PlatAfrica, Platandia has gained exposure at leading international events, including Couture in Las Vegas and Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem World, demonstrating that South African jewellery design and craftsmanship can successfully compete on the global luxury stage.”

Similarly, Ronel Jordaan, winner of the 2024 (professional category) competition, credits PlatAfrica with opening doors to international opportunities, including showcasing her work at the prestigious Couture Show in Las Vegas.

“Winning PlatAfrica has been a huge affirmation of years spent developing both my bench skills and my design thinking, and it’s opened doors, including my piece being showcased at the Couture Show in Las Vegas. It strengthened my credibility as a working goldsmith and as a lecturer and given me a platform to inspire my students at CPUT by showing them what dedication and hard work can lead to.”

Selected PlatAfrica pieces may also form part of curated platinum capsule collections featuring responsibly sourced diamonds and blockchain-backed digital passports**. These passports allow future owners to trace the story of a creation from its origins in African soil through to the finished piece, adding transparency, provenance and authenticity to every design.

From African Soil to Global Demand

This September, PlatAfrica will bring its latest collection of award-winning platinum creations to Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem World from 16 to 20 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The showcase will present exceptional South African design talent to one of the world’s most important jewellery trade audiences, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to connecting local creativity with international luxury demand.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience award-winning designs alongside digitally certified capsule collections, demonstrating how South African designers are combining traditional craftsmanship with innovation, traceability and responsible luxury.

A highlight of the showcase will be a special panel discussion titled “Emerging Potential to Global Demand“, exploring how design excellence, education and industry collaboration can unlock future growth opportunities for platinum jewellery.

The panel will feature:

•        Fahmida Smith, Principal Market Development, Valterra Platinum and PlatAfrica Project Lead

•        Josh Helmich, PlatAfrica Judge (2021-2026)

•        Lungile Xhwantini, PlatAfrica Award Winner (2020 and 2023) and Jury Member (2025 and 2026)

•        Ronel Jordaan, 2024 PlatAfrica Winner

•        Moderator: Tai Wong, PGI and PlatAfrica Judge (2023-2026)

Together, they will explore emerging trends in platinum jewellery, evolving consumer expectations and the role of talent development in creating future demand for the category.

As global consumers increasingly seek authenticity, craftsmanship and meaningful luxury, PlatAfrica is proving that world-class jewellery design can be proudly African. By providing access to platinum, developing skills and creating pathways to international markets, Valterra Platinum is helping local talent transition into global success stories while advancing South African beneficiation and showcasing the exceptional creativity of the country’s jewellery industry.

From African soil to the world’s most prestigious jewellery showcases, PlatAfrica continues to demonstrate that the future of platinum design is being shaped in South Africa, by South African designers, for a global audience.

Meet the Winning Designer in JGW September 2026 in Hong Kong:

PlatAfrica 2024 & 2025 Platinum Jewellery Design Competition

Appendix: Winning list of 2025

More articles on PlatAfrica:

https://gem-spectrum.com/tag/platafrica

More articles on JGW and other shows by Informa Markets:

https://gem-spectrum.com/tag/informa-markets