Ntombi, In a New Light

Ntombi isn't exactly new around here. She first appeared as part of our Nokukhanya Collection as a pendant light. But, as tends to happen in the studio, we started wondering what else she could be.

We had already begun exploring the idea of translating Ntombi (and her sisters) into accent lights. When Ten x Ten came calling for this year’s 100% Design showcase at Decorex, we had the perfect opportunity to take the idea off the page and into the workshop.

More importantly, this opportunity allowed us to perhaps push the design and details a little further. For the showcase, we treated Ntombi as an exploration of scale, proportion and material, bringing together an Emperador marble base, Obsidian and Linen powder-coated steel and warm timber details.

This wasn't intended to be the standard Ntombi Accent Light. It was a chance to explore what the piece could be before deciding what it should become.

Because apparently one Ntombi is not enough.

Design Study: Ntombi Accent Light & Ntombi Pendant Light

A Little Light on Nokukhanya

Nokukhanya means “the mother of light” or “light bringer”, which has always felt rather perfect for a collection of lights.

First introduced in 2023, the collection celebrates Izintombi, “The Girls”: Ayanda, Nomalanga, Ntombi, Thembi and Ntando, with a story that pays homage to Umemulo, the isiZulu coming-of-age ceremony marking a young woman’s transition into womanhood.

Each of the girls tells that story a little differently.

Across the collection, the graphic markings of the ihawu, the pleating of the isidwaba and the sculptural silhouette of the isicholo find their way into pattern, weaving, form and detail.

Not as literal translations, because where would the fun be in that? Instead, we ask what happens when a pleat becomes a weave, a silhouette becomes a light, or a familiar detail finds itself somewhere completely unexpected.

Strength, grace, dignity and presence are still there. These simply show up a little differently.

[Explore the full Nokukhanya Collection →]

When Materials Meet

This is where Ntombi really started to have some fun. For the Ten x Ten showcase, we brought together marble, Obsidian and Linen steel and warm timber details, allowing each material to bring something different to the form.

The rounded marble base takes its cue from the layering and repetition found in Zulu women’s adornment, particularly stacked beaded bangles and bands of beadwork worn around the body. Those repeated circular forms were abstracted, enlarged and translated into a series of sculptural marble profiles.

A familiar rhythm, just at a very different scale. The Emperador brings movement and natural variation, Obsidian adds depth, Linen softens the steel and the timber brings warmth into the mix.

On their own, they are quite different materials. Together, they somehow settle into each other and that is perhaps what we enjoyed most about making this version of Ntombi. The cultural reference isn't immediately obvious, the materials aren't all doing the same thing and yet the piece feels like a whole.

Sometimes the interesting bit is simply seeing what happens when materials meet.

And Then There Is the Timing

We didn't design Ntombi for Women’s Month, but there is something rather lovely about introducing her now.

A light from a collection celebrating Izintombi, “The Girls”, making her first appearance as an accent light in August, South Africa’s Women’s Month.

Women, their memories, forms and stories, have always been woven through the Nokukhanya Collection. Ntombi feels like a continuation of that conversation: a new expression within a family of lights, each carrying her own character.

Sometimes the timing gets it right.

What Comes Next

Design Study: Ntombi Accent Light

There is something we love about exhibitions. They give us permission to experiment without needing to have every answer from the beginning.

The Ntombi shown at Ten x Ten was exactly that; a chance to push the idea a little further, to play with material and see what happened once the light existed beyond the drawing.

Now we take what we learnt from making her and begin developing the standard Ntombi Accent Light that will join the Nokukhanya Collection soon.

And no, it won't simply be this version minus the marble. The exhibition piece asks, what could this be? What did we learn from making it? The standard piece asks, what should this become? How do we carry those discoveries forward into something that balances functionality, beauty and the character that made the first piece feel like Ntombi?

I already have a few ideas about where else she might go, and who we might take along for the journey.

The Story Continues

For now, the Ntombi shown at Ten x Ten captures one moment in her evolution. A little experimentation, a few new materials and an opportunity to see where an existing idea could go.

Next comes the standard Ntombi Accent Light and, with it, another chapter in the Nokukhanya story. We can't wait to introduce her properly, and to see where Ntombi and her sisters might take us next.

Because, as always, nothing stays still around here for very long.

MV