Cape Town’s Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, has unveiled a landmark collaboration with acclaimed South African designer Thebe Magugu – introducing the world to the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE and MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN.
This debut in luxury hospitality design marks the ten‑year anniversary of Magugu’s LVMH Prize–winning fashion house and sets a new benchmark for Afro‑Modernist storytelling in space, culture, and design.
An Afro‑Modernist Sanctuary Amongst the Palms
Nestled along the hotel’s iconic Palm Avenue, the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE is a two‑storey sanctuary that fuses African heritage with English sensibility. Designed in collaboration with StudioLandt, the suite is shaped around shared rituals of gathering, dining, retreat, and rest – creating an atmosphere that deepens a guest’s connection to place.
Highlights include:
- Cultural symbolism in design: A bespoke dining pendant inspired by the Basotho hat, handcrafted chairs echoing traditional pottery, and panoramic wallpaper tracing South Africa’s landscapes.
- A palette of heritage and elegance: Rich greens, indigos, and ochres blend with terrazzo floors, stone, and timber finishes.
- Luxury with soul: A king‑size bedroom dressed in bespoke textiles, a marble‑clad bathroom with freestanding tub, and curated artworks by South African creatives.
- Exclusive in‑suite touches: Rituals by Thebe Magugu bath amenities, Basotho fabric pouches, and custom teas developed with Mount Nelson’s Tea Sommelier Craig Cupido – each blend preserving cultural stories through taste and ritual.
MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN: A Cultural Hub for Fashion and Art
Adjoining the suite, MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN is more than a concept store – it’s a living platform for cultural exchange. Acting as both gallery and showroom, it celebrates African creativity and welcomes the continent’s next generation of visionaries.
- Rotating exhibitions: The inaugural showcase, By Our Own Hands, in partnership with Southern Guild, features works by Zanele Muholi and Zizipho Poswa alongside Magugu’s fashion-as-ritual practice.
- Cultural programming: Monthly film screenings, salon-style conversations, and exhibitions bring together local and global creative communities.
- A layered experience: From limited-edition fashion and archival garments to photography, books, and objects, the space is designed to spark dialogue and inspire cultural continuity.
Thoughtful Luxury at Mount Nelson
This collaboration extends Mount Nelson’s ongoing relationship with Magugu through CONFECTIONS x COLLECTIONS, the hotel’s annual Pan‑African fashion initiative. Now, fashion finds permanent expression within the hotel – transforming creativity into legacy.
Patrick Fisher, General Manager of Mount Nelson, reflects:
“This collaboration with Thebe Magugu allows us to go deeper – to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but purposeful and rooted in place. Both the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE and MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN reflect our belief that true luxury is slow, thoughtful and locally resonant.”
Why You Should Visit
- For design lovers: Experience Magugu’s Afro‑Modernist vision beyond the runway, translated into immersive space and atmosphere.
- For culture seekers: Engage with exhibitions, screenings, and conversations that spotlight African creativity.
- For luxury travelers: Indulge in a suite that balances grandeur with intimacy, offering curated experiences deeply connected to Cape Town’s cultural scene.
Plan Your Visit
- Book the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE: Available as part of Belmond’s signature suites and villas. Contact reservations.mnh@
belmond.com. - Visit MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10h00 – 18h00, at Mount Nelson.
