14. KHOSI LETEBA launches his Bodula Bench in collaboration with Wiid Design

After being chosen as one of four winners at the Clout Industry Days Fired Up by Nando’s competition in 2019, Khosi Leteba is now launching his Bodulo Bench in collaboration with Wiid Design.

In revealing the inspiration for his striking

Bodulo Bench, young designer Khosi Leteba says, “I was born and raised in Durban, KwaZuluNatal. But I'm of Sotho origin – that is where my grandparents are from. I often visit my family in Lesotho and when I started designing the collection, I was inspired by Basotho culture.”

Leteba drew on his cultural heritage to create the curved lines and repetitive patterns on the body of the bench, which impressed the judges during the 2019 Clout Industry Days Fired Up competition. The bench was a part of his larger Bodulo Collection, and it's now been brought to life together with Laurie Wiid van Heerden of Wiid Design. Tracy Lynch of Nando’s Clout and Nando’s Portal to Africa introduced the two designers and proposed and supported the initiative. The bench will be sold on the Portal to Africa through the Clout design programme. “For design concepts to become three-dimensional objects that function in a restaurant space takes a different kind of commitment,” says Tracy of the decision for the three-way collaboration.

“Laurie was one of my role models back in varsity,” Khosi says. “And this was a really good collaboration for me, especially because it allowed me to explore different materials. I’ve learnt a lot in terms of the design process as well; things you have to consider about the manufacturing process when designing. That was something I really didn’t pay attention to. In South Africa, we also have limitations when it comes to manufacturing, so this process also taught me a lot about coming up with different alternatives in terms of making furniture pieces.”

The finished product puts a modern twist on the traditional, and we think it'll work beautifully as a statement furniture item in both public and private settings. clout-sadesign.co.za

"THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD COLLABORATION FOR ME BECAUSE IT ALLOWED ME TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT MATERIALS. I'VE LEARNT A LOT IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN PROCESS AS WELL."

Khosi Leteba's (opposite) Bodulo Bench is a striking interpretation of Basotho culture, with the influence evident in the patterned illustrations and curvature of the design. Laurie Wiid van Heerden of Wiid Design collaborated on the project, bringing in his distinctive cork furniture style to complement Khosi’s design.