Best Ncube, a 29-year-old designer from Pretoria, has won the inaugural Iwisa No 1 Fills Bold Designer Search competition. Entrants were challenged to create a six-piece streetwear collection that embodied the brand’s 68-year legacy while pushing creative boundaries with unapologetic boldness. The outcome? One that exceeded all expectations with diverse designs showcasing personal stories and reflections of the brand through the lens of cultural heritage and community belonging.
Pretoria-based designer Best Ncube from Pretoria has claimed the top prize in the Iwisa No 1 Fills Bold Designer Search competition. Featuring hands, mielies and shields, his iconic statement pieces were wonderfully complemented by the delicate floral interpretation of final-year graphic design student Sashka Engels who came second. Third place winner, designer Modise Sepeng’s bold integration of colour, symbols, patterning and illustration was equally compelling, referencing the brand’s deep community roots and contribution.
Launched in May this year, the “Iwisa No 1 Fills Bold” Designer Search competition was created to start a movement to empower the youth to celebrate culture, creativity and confidence – through design.
“As a legacy brand, we wanted to invite young creatives to rise-up and reimagine what ‘homegrown’ could look like,” says Sibongile Mooko, Premier Marketing Executive. “Our promise of building communities to make everyday people’s everyday lives better remains just as relevant today as it was when we first launched. For almost 70 years, Iwisa No 1 has built trust and created wonderful family memories through consistent quality, nourishment and fill. This competition empowered next-generation creatives to tell their own authentic ‘Iwisa No 1 stories’, connect with their culture and shape a bold new future.”
Open to young South Africans between the ages of 18 and 35, the competition challenged applicants to create a full streetwear collection inspired by Iwisa No.1’s legendary identity. “Designs were required to draw on South Africa’s cultural heritage while bringing in modern streetwear swagger. Think ‘local drip’ meets bold design thinking,” Mooko explains.
And deliver they did.
Ncube’s township upbringing close to Pretoria strongly influenced his response to the brief, demonstrating how cultural background shapes powerful bold creative expression. “My upbringing in a community where storytelling through visual art was essential influenced my design approach and choice,” he explains. “Iwisa No.1 represents more than maize to me: it’s the foundation of countless family meals, conversations and connections that built and shaped my experience of ‘home’.”
Entering just two days before the closing date, his design process began with childhood memories of watching his grandmother prepare meals, which evolved into digital creations that honour both heritage and contemporary street culture. “My symbolic use of protective hands and traditional shields speaks to how the brand has sheltered and sustained my community, with the golden yellows representing abundance and nourishment. I wanted to capture Iwisa No 1’s role as a symbol of belonging by incorporating elements that every South African can recognise and feel connected to. I wanted wearers to ‘fill bold’ the minute they put my streetwear on.”
As the first-place winner, Nceba’s career received an instant boost with a brand new MacBook Pro and R20 000. His designs will also be produced and captured in a prominent fashion photoshoot, alongside those of the runners-up – providing all three with a bold platform to further their careers and dreams for the future.
“Your cultural background is arguably your greatest creative asset,” says Ncube. “I’m grateful to Iwisa No 1 for giving me a platform to remind other designers of that: your unique perspective, shaped by your community and experiences, is what the industry – and country – needs. Stories matter now more than ever before.”
With the entries received all of an excellent standard, Mooko emphasises the importance of showcasing community talent and enabling its potential: “These designers prove that when we nurture local talent, we’re not just supporting individual dreams – we’re celebrating their deep experience of family and community strength. ‘Fills Bold’ has reinforced that Iwisa No.1 is more than a household staple. It’s a catalyst for creative empowerment; proving the role of heritage brands in supporting emerging talent and celebrating the diverse voices that make South African culture so vibrant,” she concludes.