DRIVING CULTURE FORWARD
100 Cultural Innovators Shaping South Africa's Creative Future
Meet the DC100
Out of 761 nominations from across South Africa's creative community, 100 names rose to the top. These are the photographers redefining visual language. The designers building brands from scratch. The filmmakers telling untold stories. The musicians bending genres. The stylists shaping identity. The cultural strategists building infrastructure.
Selected by DC Shoes and Creative Nestlings, the DC100 inaugural cohort represents creatives driving culture forward;not through follower counts, but through measurable impact, innovation, and community building. This is South Africa's creative vanguard: recognized by their peers, amplified by brands, building the future of the continent's creative economy.
Selected by DC Shoes and Creative Nestlings, the DC100 inaugural cohort represents creatives driving culture forward;not through follower counts, but through measurable impact, innovation, and community building. This is South Africa's creative vanguard: recognized by their peers, amplified by brands, building the future of the continent's creative economy.
THE DC 100 LIST
Mashnotpotatoes
Comedian & TV presenter
Mikhailia Vera Martha Petersen
Photographer
Anita Hlazo
Mankebe Seakgoe
Visual Artist and Gallerist
Papi Konopi
multi-disciplinary visual artist, curator, and exhibition maker
Hluma Shoko aka Not A She on the streets
DJ, culture curator, and artist liaison
Star Senamile Shongwe
Creative Entrepreneur
Simhle Plaatjies
Artist
Marian Charumbira
Photographer
Blessing Tshifularo
bassist and musician
Lineo Kakole
writer, art director and designer
Franadilla
Multimedia Artist
Johnny Malepa
Ava Like Lava
Musician
Keabetswe Tsotetsi
Videographer
DAY MARUMO
Shakeel & Tash Toefy
FUEGO.
Multidisciplinary Artist
Lusee Mbiola
Fashion Designer
SK ORIGINAL
Khalipha Ntloko
Photographer
Azeezah Muhammad
Visual Artist & Gallery Owner
DFWNE
Musician
Khabane Moloi
Visual Artist & Comedian
Kujenga
Musical Group
Siyababa
Creative Director
Assante Chiweshe
Photographer & Creative Director
Senamiso Ndlovu
creative entrepreneur
Lebogang Maphanga
multidisciplinary artist
Tatenda Chidora
Visual Artist
Zinhle aka Zee Feels
Illustrator and Pattern artist
Lebo Kekana
art curator, creative director, and design consultant
iQHAWE Magazine
woman-led media agency
Ntokozo Mlaba
filmmaker, writer, and director
Bongani Baloyi
Director, Speaker & Creative Entrepreneur
Namhla Zondo
visual artist and graphic designer
Appollo
designer, an illustrator and a visual artist
Vuyo McGlad
Art Director, Cultural Entrepreneur and Events Producer,
Vidal Thaver
Filmmaker and community organiser/curator
Lotus Sol
Visual Artist & Art Director
Yalezo Njuguna
creative producer
Gale Maimane
Film Director, Writer, photographer and creative director
Katleho Mavundla
Filmmaker, Photographer, Visual Artist
Lesedi Modupi
Artist
Princesss Maduna
Creative Director & Digital Creator
Kamohelo Blessing Rooi
Painter
Ricardo “Ricky Davinci” Nobangela
urban planner, illustrator, and creative entrepreneur
Luke Bennett
Photographer
Chevy Noir
Visual Artist
Omphile Pea
Custom Jewellery Designer
Leigh le Roux
multidisciplinary artist
Donnell Gova
Visual Artist
Jason Langa
Artist
Unarine Munzhedzi Sinwamali
Wardrobe Stylist
Khaya Mntungwa
Visual Artist
Luyanda Masuku
Commercial Photographer
Ntethelelo Mncwango
Visual Artist
Johnny Allison
Mural artist, illustrator & multidisciplinary creative
Two Fold
Film Director & Photography Duo
Nzaliseko “Nza” Maponye
sculpture, animation, and painting.
Mbulelo Hlela
Photographer
Katleho Ramolahlehi
media, creative direction, and cultural documentation
Ego Tv
Photographer
Nqanawe Shangase
Filmaker
Hlohi “Lolo” Ndlovu
DJ, photographer, videographer
NJABULO HLOPHE
visual artist
Aluta Null
Digital Artist + Game Designer
Richard Gregory
illustrator and digital creator.
Nondumiso Shange
Photographer, Director & Founder
Hope Bulelwa Wague
Textile Artist
Sanele Qwabe
Artist
Kgothatso Kobola
Digital Artist
Nick Mothibeli
Multidisciplinary Creative
Andria Cindi
fashion designer, stylist, and multidisciplinary creative
Mary Jane
Musician & Creative Director
Mkhetwa Baloyi
visual and editorial fashion journalist
Mpumelelo Bhengu
Illustrator and Designer
Kamo Mashele
Visual Developer and illustrator
Asanda Memela
Fashion Stylist
Outsidethewoods
illustrator
Lesedi Ramushu
visual artist
Neo Shingwenyana
2D animator
Crystal Moorkey
content creator and creative strategist
Kamogelo Makhoba
game designer, game writer, and creative technologist
Andiswa Mkosi
Multidisciplinary Artist & Photographer
Xabiso Vili
Poet and Cultural Worker
Naledi Satekge
Visual Storyteller
Nompumelelo Nhlapho
Fashion Designer, Creative Director, and Visual Artist
Amo Modise
fashion styling,
Raphadu Maphoto
Filmmaker
Melusi Mashawana
screenprinting or jewelry design
Victoria Ongansie
Designer
Candice Myataza
Visual Artist
Kamo Machaba
multi-disciplinary artist
Bizzcuit
Musician
Onkemetse Lekone
magazine designer, copywriter, music curator and cultural strategist
Julian Masindi
Podcaster & Media Founder
SNAPPEDBYCOZY
Photographer
Esethu Sam Tostayasleep.
Filmmaker, photographer
Sibusiso “Reptwala” Twala
Youth-driven fashion expression, underdog representation, streetwear authenticity