Acclaimed designer Thebe Magugu echoes Rick's sentiments, saying that designers need to stay true to who they are. This honesty, he says, creates authenticity and that should drive any creative output.
Perhaps thanks to the Black Panther effect, the eyes of the world are currently zooming in on our continent. Given this rise in international interest, Magugu feels it's vital that creatives present an authentic vision of Africa through their designs. Creativity requires constant exploration - particularly of our culture, he says.
Fashion designer Rich Mnisi agrees. Rather than get upset when international artists and designers "exploit" our country's culture in their work, it's up to local designers to "own it and explore it to its fullest capacity".