If there’s one creative opportunity that has quietly changed the lives of young South African designers over the last decade, it’s Nando’se Hot Young Designer. And now, the iconic talent search is officially back for 2026.
This time around, the brief is glowing. Literally.
The sixth edition of the competition is calling on emerging creatives from across South Africa to design a striking linear light that could one day hang inside a Nando’s restaurant anywhere in the world. No pressure. Just the chance to see your work suspended above PERi-PERi chicken while people debate whether mild is actually spicy.
Since launching in 2016, Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) has become one of the country’s most exciting design-launch platforms. It’s the kind of opportunity that can take a talented young maker from side-hustle mode to industry spotlight surprisingly quickly. Careers have shifted gears here. Big ones.
And the stories prove it.
One of the original winners, Thabisa Mjo, has previously described the competition as something that completely changed the trajectory of her life and career. Today, her work is recognised both locally and internationally — exactly the kind of success story that keeps young creatives watching this competition closely every time applications reopen.
What Is Nando’s Looking For This Year?
For 2026, the challenge centres around linear lighting design. Think sculptural lighting pieces suspended above long restaurant tables, counters or communal dining spaces.
But this isn’t just about making something pretty.
Nando’s wants designers to think about texture, colour, craftsmanship, storytelling and practicality all at once. The piece needs to feel artistic, functional and globally transportable. Designers are encouraged to collaborate with local crafters and makers too, bringing handmade South African detail into the final concept.
There are a few technical requirements:
- The light must be under 1.4 metres long
- It needs to weigh less than 28kg
- Installation and transport practicality matter
- Durability is important
In other words, this is where creativity meets real-world design thinking.
Nando’s HYD Is More Than Just A Competition
What makes the programme especially interesting is that it doesn’t simply hand over a prize and disappear.
The 2026 edition unfolds in three phases:
- Application submissions
- Finalist prototype development
- Winner mentorship and business acceleration
The selected winner receives tailored support that includes mentorship, market access, showcase opportunities and connections within South Africa’s design industry.
That’s the real magic here.
Young creatives often have the ideas. What they don’t always have is access. Access to buyers. Access to manufacturers. Access to business knowledge. Access to visibility. This programme attempts to bridge that gap in a very real way.
The initiative is managed by Clout/SA on behalf of Nando’s, with the organisation continuing its work of connecting local design talent with commercial opportunities around the globe.
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How To Enter Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026
