“Most people move to big cities for recognition, but I wanted to bring it back to my small town, to develop it through creativity and design.”
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Grammy Award to this vibrant small community. The group's path from local performances to international stages influenced many, including Bright Dimba, the son of the Dukada clan. "I grew up in Ladysmith, surrounded by music," Dimba reflects. "Black Mambazo’s journey from our small town to global recognition inspired me. It showed me that our work can resonate with the world even from a modest place." Dimba's creations use traditional craft to achieve contemporary aesthetics, creating visually striking and no less culturally significant pieces. As an interior designer and photographer, he finds endless inspiration in his surroundings—the rolling landscapes near the Drakensberg Mountains and the rich traditions of his Zulu origin. "Living close to a World Heritage site has always had an impact on me," he explains. "Its immense beauty is a constant reminder that our local environment holds so much potential." uKhahlamba (the "Barrier of Spears," also known as the Drakensberg Mountains) is indeed a majestic escarpment range stretching over 1000 km. The towering peaks resemble spears or the spines on a dragon's back, intercepting lush valleys, water catchments, and ancient rock art sites. It's easy to see how deeply such a backdrop influences Dimba's artistic vision. He is one of those rare young professionals who choose to return to small hometowns after studying and working in larger cities. "Most people move to big cities for recognition," he says. "But I wanted to bring it back to my small town, to develop it through creativity."
STRONGER TOGETHER Bright Dimba's dedication to integrating traditional skills with modern design led him to establish Dukada in 2017, an artisanal crafts company based in Ladysmith. Turning many dreams into reality, Dimba's Dukada collaborates with rural women crafters from his hometown, specializing in designing and producing unique, handwoven, colorful furniture and accessories. "For me, it's about bringing acknowledgment back to traditional craft and promoting a new wave of craftsmanship in modern South Africa," Dimba says. "My work is inspired by everyday spaces, objects, and people. Through photography, I capture these inspirations for the mood boards I create to conceptualize new ideas." His creative process involves consulting local craftswomen about designs and materials, allowing them to evaluate and contribute additional concepts. While providing employment to his community, with such a wholesome approach he’s also preserving traditional weaving practices. One of Dukada's standout products is the side table- cum-stool, a contemporary woven version of the short and stumpy chair known as isigqiki—a typical item in Zulu households. "The product is a twist of the conventional African decorative items found in the marketplaces across the country," Dimba explains. This creation became one of the showpieces at the Design Indaba Festival, where Dimba participated as an Emerging Creative. During the exhibition, he also launched his Dukada Ukhamba Glass Vase, which incorporates a woven base mimicking the popular Zulu clay beer pot of the same name.
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