Sangu Collection
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Furniture & Lighting
Company Name:Neta Studio
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Katlego Tshuma
Design Team / Other designer(s):Katlego Tshuma
Manufacturer Name:Dokter and Misses
Client Name:Nandos
Project Location:Johannesburg, South Africa
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Video URL:View
Product Description:
The Sangu Collection is inspired by the organic movement and fluid forms of the traditional African grass mat, known as Sangu in Xitsonga. For generations, these woven mats have served as carpets, screens, and room dividers across various African cultures—symbols of warmth, gathering, and craftsmanship.
The Sangu Collection is inspired by the organic movement and fluid forms of the traditional African grass mat, known as Sangu in Xitsonga. For generations, these woven mats have served as carpets, screens, and room dividers across various African cultures—symbols of warmth, gathering, and craftsmanship.
Product Innovation / Specification:
Created for the Nando’s Hot Young Designer Competition, the Sangu Bench won in 2020 as a COVID-response bench, designed to encourage safe, communal seating while embracing cultural heritage. Reimagining tradition through contemporary design, the Sangu Collection captures the grass mat's flowing, undulating nature in sculptural furniture pieces that feel both timeless and modern.
Created for the Nando’s Hot Young Designer Competition, the Sangu Bench won in 2020 as a COVID-response bench, designed to encourage safe, communal seating while embracing cultural heritage. Reimagining tradition through contemporary design, the Sangu Collection captures the grass mat's flowing, undulating nature in sculptural furniture pieces that feel both timeless and modern.
Product Sustainability Approach:
With a deep respect for tradition and an eye for innovation, each piece echoes the rhythmic folds and intricate weaving of the Sangu, transforming an everyday object into a statement of cultural continuity and refined design. More than just furniture, the Sangu Collection is a celebration of African artistry—where tradition and modernity meet in perfect harmony.
With a deep respect for tradition and an eye for innovation, each piece echoes the rhythmic folds and intricate weaving of the Sangu, transforming an everyday object into a statement of cultural continuity and refined design. More than just furniture, the Sangu Collection is a celebration of African artistry—where tradition and modernity meet in perfect harmony.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
The Sangu Collection draws directly from African material culture, translating the form and rhythm of the traditional grass mat into contemporary design. Locally, the work contributes to preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage through modern craft and design, ensuring that everyday objects rooted in African tradition continue to evolve rather than disappear. By embedding these cultural references into contemporary furniture and lighting, the collection keeps indigenous knowledge systems and aesthetics visible within present-day design conversations.
The Sangu Collection draws directly from African material culture, translating the form and rhythm of the traditional grass mat into contemporary design. Locally, the work contributes to preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage through modern craft and design, ensuring that everyday objects rooted in African tradition continue to evolve rather than disappear. By embedding these cultural references into contemporary furniture and lighting, the collection keeps indigenous knowledge systems and aesthetics visible within present-day design conversations.
Company Name:Neta Studio
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Katlego Tshuma
