Africa on Luxury

Hosted by Buyi Mafoko

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May 2026

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About the show

Africa on Luxury is a Podcast & Cultural Conversations Platform championing African luxury through culture, creativity and commerce. Founded and hosted by Buyi Mafoko, we curate conversations with African creative visionaries, cultural pioneers and industry leaders unlocking Africa’s potential as the next frontier of global luxury.

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31 recent

May 24, 2026Episode 71 hr 7 min

S3 EP7: The Future Fossil with Lezanne Viviers

Lezanne Viviers is a Johannesburg-based conceptual fashion designer, artist and founder of VIVIERS, a sustainable, handcrafted clothing studio working at the intersection of sculpture, fashion, craft and design. Through VIVIERS, Lezanne creates garments she describes as “future fossils” — pieces born from South African soil, yet carrying universal questions about identity, beauty, belonging and the future of luxury.In this episodeFashion as a language of beingAbundance and the craft of conscious luxuryUnderstanding origins: Material intelligence and responsible makingCommunity & co-creation: supporting local industries and ecosystemsTime, permanence and future fossilsLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @lezanneviviers & @viviers.studio on IG

April 28, 202656 min

S3 EP6: The Making of an Artrepreneur with Monalisa Molefe

Monalisa is an artrepreneur who has quietly but decisively shaped how contemporary African art is collected, positioned, and valued. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Artform Factory and Artform Advisory, where she works with collectors, brands, and institutions. Here her work sets to build thoughtful, long-term relationships with African art grounded in cultural intelligence, stewardship, and legacy. She previously was recognised in the Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent, and named one of Top 50 Black African Women Entrepreneurs to Watch.In this episodeDefining the 'Artpreneur' mindset and why it's an important distinction in the African art contextArt Consumerism: Narrative vs. SpeedConservation Framing, value preservation and the hidden nuances behind Africa's art industryAfrican Art's Future: Infrastructure, and the role art advisors, collectors, and institutions play in building a more sustainable, long-term ecosystemIdentifying the continent's art market gaps, breaking the industry gatekeeping and leveraging platforms like Investec Art Fair to build global recognitionLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor sponsorship enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @monamolefe on IG

March 27, 2026Episode 552 min

S3 EP5: Wearing the Future with R'frique

Through a carefully curated wardrobe of pieces from leading African designers, R’Frique is pioneering a circular fashion model rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural pride. Guided by a shared belief that African luxury should be both globally visible and locally accessible, Ceejay and Lebi are challenging traditional retail structures while championing conscious consumption. Their innovative fashion rental model draws from wider industry context around circular luxury, African fashion systems, and access. R’Frique transcends fashion rental norms and expands this platform from a rental to retail movement, with the launch of their new pop-up which sets a new standard as a cultural infrastructure reshaping luxury behaviour on the continent and across the globe.In this episodeR'Frique pioneering Circular African Fashion, from rental-only to retail expansionChallenging traditional luxury retail structuresDecoupling worth from possession in luxuryDemocratizing African luxury fashionHonoring African designers' craftsmanship LinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor sponsorship enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @rfrique @theceej & @lebi.bosei on IG

March 1, 2026Episode 41 hr 1 min

S3 EP4: Manhood, Media, and Meaning with Kojo Baffoe

Kojo Baffoe is one of those rare thinkers who moves through the world with quiet depth — thoughtful, curious, and intentional in everything he creates. He is known for his thoughtful and intentional approach to storytelling. Rich and nuanced in perspective, he has shaped some pivotal conversations on modern African identity, creativity and masculinity which he's carried through his editorship of Destiny Man magazine and in his book and podcast, Listen to Your Footsteps.In this episodeUnderrepresentation of African voices and surfacing them as experts in media Embracing African identity globally and challenging Western luxury notions of luxuryElevating African reference points in global luxury Shaping modern African masculinity and embracing differenceValues alignment and the journey of modern manhood and fatherhoodLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @kojobaffoe on IG

February 15, 2026Episode 350 min

S3 EP3: The Ancestral Minimalist with Lulama Wolf

Lulama Wolf is a defining voice in modern African art and luxury expression, she stands at the intersection of intuition, identity and innovation. Her work is shaped by spiritual reflection and African vernacular traditions, it blends minimalist expressionism with deeply rooted ancestral storytelling. Influenced by visionaries like Credo Mutwa, her textured visual language has travelled to global stages such as Art Basel, 1-54 and AKAA Paris.In this episodeAfrica: Museum of cultureAfrican abstraction, ancestoral storytelling and indigenous references in artArtworks as self-reflection and embodied prayersStillness as an artist's commanding powerAfrican soil as an intuitive material choice with deep roots in intuition, identity and innovationLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @lulamawolf on IG

December 19, 2025Episode 238 min

S3 EP2: A Year in African Luxury with Khami Sithole & Lindelwa Busakwe

In this special edit, we look at the 2025 roundup of the year where Africa took centre stage from Fashion, Art, Travel & Cultural Power. I sat down with our Content Curator and the Marketing Manager to reflect on Africa’s biggest cultural moves of the year - from luxury moments that mattered, past episodes, and the process of building Africa on Luxury this year. In this episodeReclaiming African Heritage TextilesCelebrating African Creativity GloballyTyler's Global PhenomenonLagos Fashion Week's ImpactFashion, Culture and Music highlights of the yearFuture of African Luxury in 2026LinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor sponsorship enquiries email experience@noble.africFollow @khamikazeee & @hi.lindee on IG

November 20, 2025Episode 154 min

S3 EP1: The Feminine Language of Luxury with Buqaqawuli Nobakada

Buqaqawuli is a South African mixed-media artist trained in Fine Art and influenced by architecture. Her works are known for her striking use of lace - a thread that connects generations of women; a language of beauty, softness and strength. Through her textured paintings, she reimagines black womanhood and luxury in a way that feels deeply intentional and deeply personal.In this episodeLace as central to her practice, both as a material and metaphorDefining craftsmanship in an age that often prizes speed and surface over depth and meaningWhat luxury means in the context of black femininityThe symbolism of her work bridging traditional craft and contemporary expressionHow her work is participating in a broader redefinition of African luxuryLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @buyimafokoFor sponsorship enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @buqaqawuli.nobakada on IG

July 22, 2025Episode 954 min

S2 EP 9: The new language of luxury with Amonge Sinxoto

Amonge Sinxoto is a youth architect, social entrepreneur, public speaker and the founder of Blackboard Africa, a youth-led nonprofit shaping a bold, identity-centered narrative for African youth. A Wits University graduate and current honours student in Political Studies, she has designed and implemented leadership programs rooted in African identity for schools and communities across South Africa. Recognised as a 2019 Global Teen Leader, Mandela Washington Fellow, and Pasha de Cartier Talent, she has spoken on global platforms including TED, Google, and Facebook. With her powerful voice, dynamic vision, and growing global influence, Amonge is one of the continent’s most compelling young change-makers.In this episodeBlackboard Africa and it's role in engaging the youth voice and social impact How youth advocacy and identity work is influencing youth agency and luxury cultureSustainability, pre-owned luxury and deeper consciousness among younger consumersRedefining aspirations and influence among Gen-ZsHow social impact and commercial value can co-exist in the development of African luxuryLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @noblelivingFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @a_monge on IG

June 28, 2025Episode 159 min

S2 EP 8: Luxury x Streetwear with Gugu Peteni

She is the visionary founder and creative director of GUGUBYGUGU, a South African luxury streetwear label renowned for its bold, gender-neutral knitwear. Gugu’s work is deeply rooted in authenticity and sustainable innovation—using locally sourced mohair and merino wool. She has showcased at New York and Paris Fashion Week, and earned the Best Young Designer Award at Paris’s Africa Fashion Up during Haute Couture Week 2024Her designs are characterized by striking silhouettes and refined comfort and celebrate African heritage while pushing global fashion boundaries. Each piece from GUGUBYGUGU is crafted with intention—designed to spark connection, honor identity and promote mindful consumption. Her work is reshaping the global narrative around African luxury fashion and adding a unique lens to streetwear.In this episodeHow GUGUBYGUGU sits boldly at the intersection of luxury and streetwear and why this fusion uniquely reflects the African experienceTranslating African heritage into modern, luxury streetwear fashion without compromising authenticityUsing locally-sourced natural fibers like mohair to connect both to the land and the brand's mission for sustainabilityBringing exceptional craftsmanship into the fast-evolving world of street fashionStreetwear is closely tied to youth culture and this brand is bringing hope to young Africans through its designsLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @noblelivingFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @gugupeteni & @gugubygugu on IG

June 5, 2025Episode 749 min

S2 EP 7: Finding circular solutions to textile waste with Rewoven

Esethu Cenga is a leading circular fashion entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, recognised as one of Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 and a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African. She is the co-founder of Rewoven, which transforms textile waste into recycled fabric, and also leads Future of Fashion and Muna Studio, platforms dedicated to ethical fashion and circularity in Africa. With a Master’s in Economic Development from UCT, Esethu brings a systems-thinking approach to building fashion solutions rooted in African innovation, environmental impact, and social change.Tshepo Bhengu is an entrepreneur and creative with a passion for building sustainable solutions that benefit both society and the environment. Originally from Pietermaritzburg and a BCom Financial Accounting graduate from UCT, Tshepo is the co-founder and Chief of Operations at Rewoven, a pioneering South African textile company focused on recycling fashion waste into high-quality fabrics. He is also the co-founder of Future of Fashion, an annual indaba dedicated to shaping a more ethical and future-fit African fashion industry. Tshepo’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to community, innovation, and long-term impact.In this episodeThe impact of fast fashion on the environment and the massive scale of textile waste in AfricaReducing fashion waste and the importance of sustainability in fashion Rewoven's role in circular fashion, their journey with recycled fabrics and how they are creating ethical fashion solutionsEntrepreneurship and building relationships in the fashion ecosystemCircular Fashion and how it is changing the industry and amplifying the message of sustainabilityLinksSubscribe to our YT channel ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@africaonluxuryFollow us on IG/ LinkedIn @africaonluxury @noblelivingFor media and sales enquiries email experience@noble.africaFollow @rewoven_africa on IG