Thebe Magugu unveils Afro-modernist luxury at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson
Thebe Magugu to unveil the Thebe Magugu Suite, his first-ever interior design project.
Image: Courtney Patrick
This December, South African fashion star Thebe Magugu is stepping into a new world: luxury hospitality.
Known for his Afro-modernist designs that have graced Paris Fashion Week and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Magugu is reimagining one of Cape Town’s most iconic hotels, the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel.
To mark the tenth anniversary of his brand, Magugu will unveil the Thebe Magugu Suite, his first-ever interior design project.
Tucked along the Mount Nelson’s famous Palm Avenue, the two-floor suite is a celebration of African culture, craft and storytelling.
This is Balmond's first-ever Designer Residence concept, following collaborations with creatives like Wes Anderson.
Image: Candice Bodington
Guests can expect an elegant yet soulful space filled with ceremonial furniture, hand-carved details, and artworks by acclaimed South African artists, including Mmangaliso Nzuza, Lulama Wolf and Trevor Stuurman.
Magugu calls it an “Afro-English” aesthetic, blending British interiors with African heritage.
Think stone and timber finishes, pleated textiles, and a custom wallpaper that reimagines Southern Africa’s dramatic landscapes.
Upstairs, the suite opens onto a terrace with sweeping views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, while inside, details like a Basotho hat-inspired pendant light and pottery-shaped furniture pay tribute to Magugu’s heritage.
Alongside the suite, Magugu House Cape Town will also open.
Image: Courtney Patrick
Alongside the suite, Magugu House Cape Town will also open.
Part boutique and part cultural space, it will showcase his collections alongside rotating art exhibitions, beginning with works by Zanele Muholi and Zizipho Poswa.
Visitors can expect salon-style events, screenings and collaborations with emerging artists, making it a hub for creative exchange in the city.
Speaking about the project, Magugu says: “I wanted to create a space that encapsulates our culture through art, craft and history, while still offering the comfort and gracious hospitality the Mount Nelson has been known for.”
For Belmond, this is the brand’s first-ever Designer Residence concept, following collaborations with creatives like Wes Anderson.
And for Cape Town, it means the city gets its own dedicated Thebe Magugu space, cementing his role as one of the leading voices in African luxury and design.