Global spotlight on esteemed competition involving Art students

Gerrit Bester
Jul 15
2 min read

by Gerrit Bester

The prestigious ROTOCON Wine Label Design Competition, involving the inventive minds of Integrated Communication Design (ICD) students at the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design, has sparked a remarkable spinoff. Labels & Labeling, an industry veteran and beacon since 1978, will feature an article on the competition in their upcoming edition.

This feature will be extensively circulated at Labelexpo Europe 2025, spotlighting not only ROTOCON’s work, but also that of emerging designers before a worldwide audience.

Launched in London by founding editor Mike Fairley, Labels & Labeling has been a cornerstone of the label industry for decades. From its humble beginnings in 1979, it grew swiftly, reaching readers in over 20 countries within its first few years, and now spans 114 nations. Its online hub, labelsandlabeling.com, debuted in 2001 and remains the premier source for daily industry updates, case studies and innovations.

“This recognition surpasses words; it's a testament to the creativity, effort and teamwork behind this campaign,” says Banie Stafford of B Creative, ROTOCON’s marketing partner and ICD alum.

Dr Herman Botes, Head of the Department of Visual Communication, shares his pride: "The partnership between ROTOCON and TUT exemplifies the essence of meaningful industry collaboration – a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship grounded in a shared commitment to empowering the youth of our country to take up their rightful place in society."

This marks the third year of ROTOCON’s collaboration with TUT, reinforcing a lasting partnership in cultivating creative industry leaders.

Third-year ICD student Mufaro Ncube (21) emerged as the 2025 winner with his design, The Point, inspired by Cape Town’s topography and its die-cut detailing, evoking luxury and exclusivity. His work was part of a vibrant cohort of 60 students embracing the theme, Cultivate a Life Worth Tasting.

About ROTOCON: With hubs in Hamburg and Cape Town, alongside branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Asia, ROTOCON excels in delivering customised, turnkey solutions to the label printing and packaging sector.