IN A NUTSHELL
• Thebe Magugu Suite and Magugu House now open at Mount Nelson Cape Town
• A collaboration between Belmond Mount Nelson and LVMH Prize winner Thebe Magugu blending luxury and Afro modern design
• Magugu House is open to the public from February to April 2026 with a debut exhibition
The Thebe Magugu Suite and Magugu House have opened their doors at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel in Cape Town.
The partnership between the iconic hotel and the award winning South African fashion designer was first announced late last year, and now in February 2026, the vision is fully realised.
Situated within the hotel, the space brings together bold colour, refined luxury and a distinctly Afro modern design language.
Stepping into the private suite, guests are immediately grounded by olive green tones and stone floors. A custom artwork by Mmangaliso Nzuza anchors the space, while personal references to Thebe Magugu’s Sotho heritage flow through the lounge and dining area.
These details appear in hand drawn wallpaper by Cara Saven inspired by the mountains of Lesotho, as well as light pendants shaped like oversized Mokorotlo hats, adding both symbolism and softness to the interior.
Pleats, a signature of the Thebe Magugu brand, recur throughout the suite in upholstery, textiles and sculptural lighting. Upstairs, the atmosphere deepens with a rich palette of luxury stoep red, setting the stage for artworks by Lorenzo Plaaitjies, Banele Khoza, Lulama Wolf, Trevor Stuurman and Zandile Tshabalala. Together, these works explore themes of love, resilience and quiet contemplation. The suite was realised in collaboration with StudioLandt, who executed Magugu’s vision in full.
Next door sits Magugu House, an art gallery and fashion showroom open to the public. Between February and April 2026, visitors can experience the space and view the inaugural exhibition titled By Our Own Hands, curated by Thebe Magugu and Julia Buchanan.
The exhibition features works by Zanele Muholi and Zizipho Poswa, extending the creative dialogue beyond hospitality and into contemporary art and fashion.
The space is located at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, 76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
