Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026: 10 Finalists Unveiled in South Africa’s longest-standing design mentorship programme. Additionally, they were revealed in its latest talent search. The challenge to emerging designers was to create a linear light fixture for any Nando’s restaurant worldwide.
Managed on behalf of Nando’s by Clout/SA, HYD is a biennial design competition and business accelerator, and one of South Africa’s premier initiatives of its kind. For the past decade, this platform has been instrumental in propelling the careers of emerging creatives by unearthing exceptional talent and introducing local design to Nando’s restaurants globally. Following a legacy of celebrated design focuses for the talent search, from patterns to benches, that have run every two years, the sixth edition challenged creators to redefine contemporary lighting by submitting a concept focused on the sleek geometry of linear lights.
Judging panel for Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026
We conducted a rigorous selection process to identify the top 10. A judging panel of almost 20 design-industry leaders and previous HYD winners assessed the entries.
The judges included Paula Baúlde Portas, Head of Marketing at Maison&Objet in Paris. They also named Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio; Nikhil Tricam and Nindya Bucktowar of Studio Kalki. Charl Edwards is the co-founder and Creative Director of Lookbook Studio. Brad O’Neill is Head of Design and Development at Nando’s South Africa. Tracy Lynch is Curator of the Nando’s Design Programme and Executive Creative Director of Clout/SA. Michael Cathie is CEO of Nando’s South Africa.
The finalists were drawn from a competitive pool of nearly 200 submissions. They were announced at the start of August 2026.
However, the judges selected concepts by criteria.
- Kgomotso Monnakgotla
- Kulani Keagile
- Chelsea Makin
- Rethabile Motaung
- Bianca van Vuuren
- Reneilwe Molala
- Bradley van Graan
- Anele Mkhize
- Ashleigh Whitney
- Tshegofatso Mako
They head to Nando’s Central Kitchen in Johannesburg, where they will pitch their concepts to the judging panel.
Moreover, Five will be selected to join mentorship, developing prototypes and sharpening entrepreneurial skills toward Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026.
“This shortlisting marks a significant milestone for the designers,” says Lynch. From here, the challenge shifts from concept to physical prototype and commercial realisation. However, it progresses through focused workshops and a bootcamp, led by Business Coach Claude Morris, as the business design mentor.
The winner receives a tailored programme of mentorship and market access. Additionally, it includes showcasing opportunities and community engagement with South Africa’s premier designers, including a business accelerator programme. It is custom-built to launch their design-focused business. Should their product and production process align, their piece will be included on the Nando’s Portal to Africa. It is a global marketplace accessed by interior designers who design Nando’s Casas in all markets around the world.
Although there will be one final winner for this edition, the six previous editions of Nando’s HYD have shown just how impactful the platform is for its finalists, many of whom have gone on to make their mark on the industry within the HYD ecosystem. Beyond mentorship and business-building, HYD connects successful designers to the global marketplace, offering a sales platform unlike any other in the local design industry.
For more information, please visit the official microsite. www.hotyoungdesigner.com
Follow @nandos_hyd on Instagram.
