Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, has unveiled a landmark collaboration with renowned South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu. Celebrating the ten-year anniversary of his acclaimed fashion house, the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE introduces an immersive, two-storey Afro-modernist sanctuary along the hotel’s iconic Palm Avenue, fusing African heritage with English sensibility.
Adjoining the suite, MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN opens to the public as a concept store and cultural space – a dynamic hub for fashion, art and creative exchange. Acting as both gallery and showroom, it celebrates African creativity and welcomes the continent’s next generation of visionaries.
“This project has allowed me to explore how fashion can live beyond the body – extending into space and atmosphere. The result is a delicate balance between English grandeur and African sensuality,” says Thebe Magugu.
An Afro-Modernist Sanctuary Amongst the Palms
Magugu, in collaboration with StudioLandt, designed the suite around shared rituals for gathering, dining and rest. The lower level features a welcoming lounge and dining area with discrete wet bar, where sculptural forms and locally crafted details create the perfect setting for intimate gatherings.
A bespoke dining pendant inspired by the Basotho hat from Magugu’s lineage anchors the space, whilst handcrafted dining chairs shaped by traditional pottery curves bring ancestral craft into everyday use.
Hand-sketched panoramic wallpaper traces South Africa’s landscapes from the Midlands to the Cape. Rich greens, deep indigos and warm ochres echo sun-drenched savannahs against terrazzo floors and stone and timber finishes.
Upstairs, the king-size bedroom becomes an oasis of indulgence with bespoke patterned textiles and a private balcony overlooking Lion’s Head. The marble-clad bathroom features a freestanding soaking tub and aged brass detailing.
Rotating artworks curated by Magugu and Contemporary African Art Specialist Julia Buchanan transform the space into a unique archive of South African expression. Exclusive in-suite touches include Magugu’s bespoke gown and slippers, Rituals by Thebe Magugu bath amenities, Basotho fabric pouches, and custom teas developed with Mount Nelson’s Tea Sommelier Craig Cupido – blending nostalgic notes of vanilla with indigenous herbs like impepho and buchu.
Magugu House Cape Town: A Cultural Exchange Platform
Created in collaboration with StudioLandt, MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN showcases limited-edition fashion, archival garments, art, photography, books and objects. Exhibitions featuring South Africa’s most influential creative voices will rotate quarterly.
The inaugural exhibition, By Our Own Hands, runs until end of April in partnership with Southern Guild, featuring works by Zanele Muholi and Zizipho Poswa alongside Magugu’s fashion as ritual practice. Rooted in the idea that making is self-articulation, healing and resistance, it explores creative practices shaped by cultural knowledge and lineage.
The space will host monthly film screenings, salon-style conversations and cultural events, positioning Mount Nelson as a vibrant meeting point for creative communities. This kicks off with a preview of Sonder, a documentary exploring the hidden emotional lives of Black Zulu men, directed by Johannesburg creative director Thuthuka Sibisi.
A Commitment to Thoughtful Luxury
This collaboration follows Mount Nelson’s long-standing partnership with Magugu through CONFECTIONS x COLLECTIONS, the annual Pan-African fashion initiative. What began as a runway showcase now finds permanent expression within the hotel.
“This collaboration with Thebe Magugu allows us to go deeper – to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but purposeful and rooted in place,” says Patrick Fisher, General Manager of Mount Nelson.
Curated experiences connect visitors with Cape Town’s art scene, offering access to Southern Guild, Norval Foundation and Zeitz MOCAA, alongside the hotel’s 24-hour concierge and personalised offerings.
Guests can now book the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE via email
MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10h00 – 18h00.
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel | 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 483 1000 Reservations: +27 21 483 1000
