polo vivo mswenko challenge

MSWENKOxMZANSI
Meet the people behind the winning #MswenkoChallenge entries

MSWENKOxMZANSI

To celebrate the launch of the new Polo Vivo Mswenko, we invited the people of Mzansi to join the #MswenkoChallenge and show us their unique interpretation of umswenko. From unique rap freestyles to vibrant designs, we received over 300 entries from every corner of Mzansi. 

These are the inspiring finalists who stood out.

Explore their work, discover their stories, support their visions and help us drive local talent and creativity like never before. 

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Best Keamogetswe Ncube 
Winner

I am Best Jr Keamogetswe Ncube and I am a South African Digital artist from Soshanguve, Pretoria. My style of illustration exhibits a great deal of versatility because I can create abstract compositions and realistic designs/illustrations. What inspires the creation of a lot of my pieces is the influence of the vibrant and energy-filled culture of Pretoria. This has aided me in producing an abstract and obscure view of creating an art piece whether for myself or for the public eye to consume.

Masego
2nd Place

My name is Masego, I'm a 23-year-old from Joburg. I have an innate passion and skill for art and design. My love for creativity started with arts and crafts. I used to conjure up anything using paper, but nowadays, my canvas and medium consist of a digital pen and screen. I’m inspired by the likes of Malika Favre, Virgil Abloh, everything Apple Inc. and a minimalist design aesthetic. I have an affinity for visual brand strategy because I love telling stories practically.

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Given Michael Mathebula
3rd Place

I’m Given Michael Mathebula known as King Geejah in Tembisa where I’m from. I’m a musician who was influenced by Kwaito at a very young age. I started writing Kwaito songs in 2006 before I got into Hip-hop music in 2008. I grew up listening to the likes of Spokes H, Brown Dash, Flabba and a lot of Soul Brothers, which is why I’m such a versatile musician. 

My music is predominately about motivation, past experiences and life in general. I have previously performed alongside big artists such as K.O, Shimza, Touchline, Nadia Nakai and Solly Mahlangu, just to mention a few. I’m inspired by the likes of Cassper Nyovest, Sjava, Riky Rick and many more. My biggest goal is to change people's lives through music and inspire the young ones in the township and beyond. I’m also a fashion model with a brand called Thandazinto which means to "like things". My debut album titled "Inkuzuko: Never Stop Believing" is available on all digital platforms. 

Tebogo Mamabolo
Finalist

My name is Tebogo, otherwise known as Molecule. I was born and raised in Pretoria and I manoeuvre the streets as an Artsigner (artist and designer). I’m inspired by a lot of different things, but if I have to choose one of them, I’d say other artists. This also serves as motivation for the constant growth in my craft. 

Tebogo Mamabolo
Mlotshwa Bantu

Mlotshwa Bantu
Finalist

My name is a true representation of who I am "Bantubonke". I am a people’s person whose creativity resonates around exploring different individuals in their element. "The creative mind can be like a sponge, if you feed that curiosity and get involved with individuals that you can learn from, you continue to build your passion and interests for the design field".  I am a business management graduate but graphic design has always been within my blood. The passion behind it eventually forced me to become a self-taught graphic designer and at a later stage, I decided to open up my own company called Paint Digital Studio. I partnered up with an individual who had the same drive and weirdness as me. Together we paint magic, we bring ideas to life. I originally hail from the East Rand in a small town called Springs.

My inspiration comes from constantly trying to be different. I thrive on creating simple designs that speak volumes. I believe a great design stems from great inspiration, constantly pushing the envelope to reach innovative heights that inspire the world.

Chad Jakes Linden
Finalist

My name is Chad Jakes Linden and I’m from Heideveld, Cape Town.

I love food and dogs, man… and design, of course. But food is my first wife. I've been in the design game for 6 years now honing my skills. I am still learning, still growing day by day. Some days I love my work, some days I want to toss my laptop in the fire and have a spitbraai. 

My work is inspired by everyday life. Like many artists, my main inspiration would be fashion, product design, architecture and music to name a few. Some of my favourite artists are Musketon, Aureta, Polene, Ceizar, Jason Freeny, Johnson Tsung.

Chad Jakes Linden
Qondile Dlamini

Qondile Dlamini
Finalist

My name is Qondile Dlamini, aka Qew Doodles. 

I am a freelance designer and illustrator based in Joburg. I love drawing, not only as a job but also as a hobby. Drawing helps me understand the world and definitely calms my mind. My illustration work predominantly focuses on women, especially Black women - how we look, how we move, how we feel, in all our magic. I find women very inspiring and I'd like for my work to exhibit our glory. I'm also a huge fan of umswenko and a lot of my illustrations include outfits I would love to wear. 

Amanda Mamabolo
Finalist

I’m Amanda Mamabolo, a young Creative from Limpopo. 

My family inspires me; their love and support push me to want to be the best version of myself. 

Amanda Mamabolo
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Mpho Sefolo 
Finalist

My name is Mpho Sefolo aka IaMph0$ta from Garankuwa, Pretoria. I’m a University of Technology student and rap artist at heart. The label that resonates well with me is being a “Hustle – preneur”. I’m an activist and my biggest inspiration is J. Cole. Growing up, my dream was to have my own record label and a clothing brand similar to the hottest brands in the city namely, GALXBOY & POM. 

Lesedi Reece Aiseng 
Finalist

I’m Lesedi Reece Aiseng and I’m a Joburg-based illustrator and graphic designer. I just want to do art because art to me has always been a way for me to release tensions and emotions I never knew existed. Art also has a way of moving people and bringing conversations that are hard to put in words to light.

I use my art and craft to express the unexpressed and move the hearts of admirers. I am inspired by modern-day art, African heritage and patterns. I love being able to use my art to show the African aesthetic while infusing it with modern art by experimenting digitally and putting two or more worlds together to bring my art to life. 

Lesedi Reece Aiseng
Sibusiso Hope Nkosi

Sibusiso Hope Nkosi 
Finalist

My name is Sibusiso Hope Nkosi (also known as Sibusiso the Creator). I'm a 20-year-old graphic designer, visual artist and photographer based in Benoni. I'm a creative person by nature - always have been. I'm inspired by everything that's around me, everything that I see and observe adds to my creative energy and imagination. I'm focused and pretty determined. I’m a proudly African artist. 

Oscar Ndlovu
Finalist

My name is Oscar Ndlovu and I’m from Richards Bay, Eskhawini but based in Joburg. I’m a 22-year-old graphic designer and photographer, currently doing my last year in the Diploma of Graphic Design at the Vaal University of Technology.

I enjoy listening to music (especially Hip hop). I love street culture and fashion. My inspiration comes from those two things, even though I'm still in a phase where I'm trying to find my unique style that’s different from everything that's out there.

Oscar Ndlovu
Azhar Abrahams

Azhar Abrahams
Finalist

My name is Azhar Abrahams, I'm a multi-disciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Cape Town. I've always been interested in art and design since high school, but never really considered taking it up as a career. Not until I met Russell Abrahams aka Yay Abe in 2017. Seeing how passionate he was about his work and how proud he was to work with the brands he has worked with really inspired me to want to pursue a career in design.

I studied Visual Communication Design at CPUT and completed my studies last year.

My design style is deeply inspired by my roots and cultural experiences, and I aim to share that with the world through my work. I recently started experimenting with Arabic calligraphy and I draw a lot of inspiration from Islamic art in the way it makes use of geometrical shapes to form patterns. My work represents the amalgamation of two worlds, my Islamic roots, and Urban Street culture.

Tebogo “Otiz” Mapomane
Finalist

I’m Tebogo “Otiz” Mapomane. I’m a young gent, passionate designer and an incredible Art Director from Kasi. I have amazing conceptual skills and a few awards under my belt, coupled with numerous nominations. I love to construct attractive designs and my goal is to change people's lives with my ideas. I love slang, tsotsi taal and anything that has a township feel inspires me. I love humans and my small human (son) – I’m a proud father and brother to an amazing sister. I spend most of my time illustrating and practising to be a tattoo artist. I love loud music and hanging out with homies when I have time.

I am currently freelancing as an in-house designer for Thesis Lifestyle. 

Tebogo “Otiz” Mapomane

#MSWENKOCHALLENGE

When the limited edition Polo Vivo Mswenko first hit the streets of Mzansi, we collaborated with SA’s hottest street artists and designers, GALXBOY and Yay Abe, to create a range of limited edition pieces inspired by ‘Mswenko’ and this is what birthed the #MswenkoChallenge. 

MSWENKOxGALXBOY

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GALXBOY was born and bred from the streets of Pretoria. The genius behind the brand, Thatiso, found a gap in local quality streetwear and created a timeless unisex brand that would allow young South Africans to express their style and street culture like never before.

Inspired by the likes of Kanye West, LV, Amakipkip and Nigo, GALXBOY is constantly pushing the envelope in creating high-quality pieces that are bold, unique and designed to last a lifetime.

That’s why we’re excited to showcase our #MSWENKOxGALXBOY collab. GALXBOY took our Polo Vivo Mswenko design and reimagined it in their street-inspired style to create a limited edition range of streetwear.

You’ll notice that the pieces have a camouflage-inspired aesthetic because Thatiso explains that: “Surviving in the streets means you have to blend in.” He then juxtaposed the camouflage with bold and vibrant colours because: “Once you survive, you have to be unique to go further.”

The entire range is an ode to the streets of Mzansi and exudes that quintessential confidence that defines ‘Mswenko’.

MSWENKOxYAYABE

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Emerging from the bustling streets of Cape Town, Yay Abe is a boundary-breaking illustrator and street artist who brings a bold, colourful style to the streets.

He uses vibrant colours and bold line work to drive a compelling narrative in his art and proudly explains that: “At some point, I realised I could tuck away and stack different scenes on top of each other to create a sort of pattern that holds surprises for my audience.” 

Whether it’s pen to paper or spray can to wall, Yay Abe lives Mswenko with every piece and that’s why we’re thrilled to announce the #MSWENKOxYAYABE collab. He reimagined our Polo Vivo Mswenko design in his signature style and created a one-of-a-kind digital art piece that pays homage to the streets of Mzansi.

When creating this limited edition art piece, he was inspired by the street culture of Joburg. From the way people walk to the way the city is constantly buzzing, there’s this effortlessness of style that is unmatched and he wanted to capture this in his artwork. 

For Yay Abe, this was more than just a collaboration piece. “I’ve also never pushed my style in this direction before and this project was perfect to flex and own my voice,” he says, and that is the essence of Mswenko.

Polo Vivo Mswenko

The streets have a new look

The limited edition Polo Vivo Mswenko is about to give the vibrant streets of Mzansi a whole new look. “Mswenko” is the bold style, effortless swag and unique attitude that makes you, you.  

Share the ride in style.

Build the perfect Polo Vivo Mswenko that suits you and your crew.