South Africa’s design scene is bursting with innovation, and at Decorex Cape Town 2025, Gauteng’s top creative entrepreneurs are making sure the country takes notice. From 5 to 8 June, five standout SMMEs from the province will exhibit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). They will showcase work that fuses heritage, sustainability, and bold contemporary design.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Curated under the banner of Stand W01, this cohort represents more than just business. It reflects a growing creative economy driven by purpose, culture, and local ingenuity. Supported by the Department of Tourism, Gauteng Tourism Authority, and the Department of Small Business Development, each participant brings a unique perspective. Their contributions range from handcrafted ceramics in Hammanskraal to fine art inspired by migration and justice.
Whether you’re a buyer, collector, or curious design lover, this is your chance to meet the makers shaping the future of Gauteng’s creative industry — one piece at a time.
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Spotlight on Gauteng’s Creative Entrepreneurs
From recycled metals and Afro-centric glass to powerful printmaking and Hammanskraal ceramics. Gauteng’s creative entrepreneurs are making bold impressions at Decorex Cape Town 2025. Thanks to the support of the Department of Tourism, Gauteng Tourism Authority, and Department of Small Business Development, five outstanding SMMEs are showcasing their talent, innovation, and local flair at Stand W01.
Meet the creatives who are turning raw inspiration into tangible design, fine art, and future-facing business.
LEBO M JEWELLERY
Artisan Jewellery with a Heritage Heart
Germiston, Gauteng
Founded by Lebo Mabuya, LEBO M JEWELLERY blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Her bespoke pieces — often crafted from recycled silver and copper—reflect African identity, heritage, and personal narrative.
The brand’s signature is hand-sawed silhouettes and symbolic motifs, making each item a wearable artwork with cultural resonance. With a growing reputation among collectors and stylists alike, Lebo’s creations add elegance to fashion while telling stories rooted in home.
Jst Pati Glass
Afro-Centric Glass with a Purpose
Prison Break Market, Midrand
As South Africa’s first Black-owned glass art company, Jst Pati Glass is on a mission to redefine the industry. Founded by Kgotso Pati, the brand creates decorative and functional glassware inspired by African culture and sustainability.
From vibrant recycled glass pieces to glass art workshops for underprivileged youth, the company blends beauty, business, and social impact. Their offerings appeal to the interior design market and tourists seeking locally made treasures.
At Decorex, expect bold glass expressions that reflect identity, innovation, and eco-conscious creativity.
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The Arts Company Soweto (TACS)
Printmaking, Branding & Creative Development Rooted in Ubuntu
Mofolo Art Centre, Soweto
Founded in 2016 and formally registered in 2018, TACS was established to revive printmaking in communities where it had been historically marginalised. Led by Molefe Thwala and Thabo Motseki, the organisation mentors artists, runs workshops, and provides professional design services.
TACS has worked with major names such as Sanlam, City of Johannesburg, and Black Management Forum. They offer branding, portfolio development, and artist representation. Their flat organisational structure reflects their values: collaboration, integrity, commitment, and innovation.
Expect high-calibre prints, educational resources, and bold visuals that celebrate creative self-determination.
Thomas Ceramics
Handcrafted Clayware with a Local Soul
Carousel View, Hammanskraal
Thomas Sithembiso, the founder of Thomas Ceramics, creates soulful, handcrafted ceramic pieces. These pieces include vases to flower pots, mugs, and cake plates. With a growing local following, his work is rooted in everyday functionality and handmade authenticity.
From his Hammanskraal studio, Thomas molds each object with care—bringing a tactile, human feel to interiors. His display at Decorex showcases the warmth and precision of artisanal production in the North West Gauteng corridor.
GM Art
Fine Art That Challenges, Heals & Belongs
The Vaal, Gauteng
Born in Jane Furse, Limpopo, and raised in Sasolburg, Rametse Gilbert Maepa is an accomplished visual artist and part-time lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology. His works—spanning drawing, painting, and printmaking—examine migration, class conflict, time, and hope.
A major highlight in his career came in 2023. He won the Constitutional Court Art Collection (CCAC) student competition. His work is now part of South Africa’s most symbolically important art collection.
Maepa’s presence at Decorex offers a deeper layer to design: one that is introspective, activist, and profoundly human.
Why Visit Stand W01?
These five entrepreneurs don’t just sell products — they offer narratives, innovation, and vision from across Gauteng’s diverse creative economy. From heritage jewellery and glass recycling to mentorship-driven design and collectible art, their work speaks of resilience, purpose, and world-class talent.
Whether you’re looking for a unique home piece, an art investment, or a glimpse into tomorrow’s design leaders, Stand W01 is not to be missed.
Find them at: Stand W01, Hall 4
Event Dates: 5–8 June 2025
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
Supported by: Gauteng Tourism Authority | Department of Small Business Development | Department of Tourism
Event Info: www.decorex.co.za/cape-town
