Nov 213 min read

Students pave their way to a future in kitchen design

by Gerrit Bester

Mpho Mudau (20), a third-year Interior Design student at the Faculty of Arts and Design, has made waves in the kitchen design world by securing a spot in the top five of this year’s prestigious Kitchen Specialists Association (KSA) kitchen project competition. Her classmate, 23-year-old Sarafina Maluleka, also stood out, earning a special mention for her innovative project.

The goal of the project was to give students a real-world experience of what it would be like to work in the kitchen industry. The project not only focused on design, but also required the students to consider budget constraints, learn about materials, their applications and costs, think about manufacturing and installation costs and value their own time by working out what their services as designers would be worth.

Students could choose one of two briefs.

Both Mudau and Maluleka chose to work with the Joneses, a fictional couple in their late sixties and early seventies who have moved from Gauteng to the Western Cape to retire in luxury at Groot Parys Lifestyle Estate in Paarl, where they wanted access to frail care services.

Downsizing to a newly built detached unit, they wanted a high-end, elegant kitchen that maximised accessible and efficient storage while maintaining a calm, natural aesthetic.

Bev insisted on using high-quality materials, allowing only melamine for the cabinetry and requiring premium hardware and finish options. Anticipating aging and mobility challenges, especially with Bev's mild arthritis, they needed a thoughtfully designed kitchen that included new appliances for their new start, excluding laundry items since the property provided laundry services.

Thirty third-year Interior Design students took up the challenge, with Mudau and Maluleka eventually triumphing over the ten student designs selected internally in the Department for entry into the KSA student design competition.

Their projects had to meet strict criteria, including adhering to a budget of between R500 000 and R650 000 (which had to be broken down into materials, hardware and accessories, appliances, finishes, installation and design).

Mudau created a warm, accessible and inviting kitchen for Bev and Michael, using design principles to balance neutral tones, textures and natural elements to create a relaxed and calming atmosphere.

One of the key principles of Maluleka's design for the retired couple was to empathise with their needs by putting herself in their shoes to create a functional and accessible kitchen.

Mudau and Maluleka were awarded a four-month internship with a KSA member beginning in January 2025.

When asked what this opportunity means to her, Mudau said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have reached this milestone. Driven by my dedication, passion and curiosity for design functionality, I have created my innovative kitchen design masterpiece."

Maluleka is equally proud of her achievement:

"I'm really honoured to have received an honourable mention. It means so much to me, especially for a kitchen where I was still experimenting with my design style. This milestone, along with being a Top 10 finalist in the 2024 Nando's HYD competition, has confirmed my dedication to design excellence and creative expression and it also inspires me to continue pushing the boundaries of my creativity while exploring new approaches to design. To be offered an internship on top of that feels surreal, and I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to grow, gain hands-on experience, refine my craft and continue to build a strong foundation for a successful career in the interior design industry."

Founded in 1989 by members of the kitchen industry, the KSA is a not-for-profit company managed by regional committees in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape and overseen by a national committee.

The KSA has three main stakeholders – the kitchen industry (this includes kitchen companies, industry suppliers and stone and surface fabricators), the consumer and industry professional. It aims to improve the industry through education, networking and accountability, while supporting both the consumer and the industry professional, ensuring they have a source of objective information about the industry and a new kitchen that empowers them when dealing with a KSA member.