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Works by Muholi and Poswa in 'By Our Own Hands' at newly-launched Magugu House Cape Town
4 Feb 2026 (3 min) read
"By Our Own Hands is about the refinement of attention rather than economy – a commitment to ritual, adornment, and intentional form that makes space for the ancestral, the unseen, and the enduring." — Thebe Magugu
Southern Guild artists Zanele Muholi and Zizipho Poswa present works in By Our Own Hands, the inaugural exhibition at the newly-opened Magugu House Cape Town, on until 30 April 2026.
The space, located along the iconic Palm Avenue at the Belmond Mount Nelson, marks celebrated South African designer Thebe Mgugu’s first official presence in the city, following the launch of Magugu House Johannesburg in 2024. Best described as a boutique-meets-gallery curated for cultural exchange.
Photographs from Muholi’s acclaimed Somnyana Ngonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness) series grace the walls, while sculptural forms in ceramic and bronze by Zizipho Poswa command a moment of pause in the beautifully curated space. The exhibition is an exploration of making as a form of cultural authorship, highlighting practices that transform materials, symbols, and gestures into carriers of cultural meaning, continuity, and ritual. “At Magugu House, making is treated as a language of its own, through which personal histories are preserved,” says Magugu. “To make is to remember, is to repair, and is to resist erasure.”
Whether it’s Muholi’s use of everyday materials to denote self-sovereignty, or Poswa’s devotion to cultural adornment, By Our Own Hands honours the makers who understand that creation is never just about what is produced, but also about what is affirmed in the process. “It is a meditation on how we claim authorship over our past, present and futures – through the work of our hands”, continues Magugu.
THE THEBE MAGUGU SUITE
Adjoining Magugu House is the sumptuous modernist sanctuary that is the Thebe Magugu Suite, the second project realised by Magugu on the hotel grounds. Set across two floors, the sleek yet soulful suite unfolds as a living depository of craft and culture, balancing the past, present, and future in perfect harmony. Co-created with StudioLandt, Magugu explores an “Afro-English” aesthetic, artfully juxtaposing British and South African design approaches. This cross-cultural dialogue reveals both contrast and connection, set within the storied walls of the revered 126-year-old Mount Nelson. The hand-detailed wallpaper, integral to English interiors and "The Nellie's" design language, will take guests on a captivating visual journey through South African landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Midlands to the rugged cliffs and resplendent flora of the Cape.
“Juxtaposing is an important aspect of what I do. Two often disparate worlds coming together is the basis for newness, where universes collide,” explains Magugu. “I wanted the suite to take guests on a journey through art, craft and history – duality unfolds in the co-existence of African fabrics and British jacquards. It is English grandeur enveloped by African sensuality. Together, we’re creating a space that’s not just beautiful, but meaningful.”
A specially commissioned painting by Mmangaliso Nzuza titled A Reverence Like No Other (2025) greets you at the entryway, once again showcasing his distinct and contemporary Afro cubism style. Works by Lulama Wolf, Trevor Stuurman, Lorenzo Platatjies and others come together to create the warm ambience, one that is at once grounding, sophisticated, and a touch playful.
Read the VOGUE article here.
Images by Inge Prins. Courtesy of Magugu House & StudioLandt.
