WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Interiors by Paris Brummer, Portraits by Warren Talmarkes
Contemporary South African design meets modern local culinary flavours at Emazulwini at The V&A Waterfront’s Makers Landing.
Chef Mmabatho Molefe’s modern Zulu fine-dining restaurant has received a contemporary African-inspired decor look by local design studio Clout SA in collaboration with up-and-coming interior designer Walter Train.
The cuisine pays heritage to the rich history of Zulu culture and fond childhood food memories of Chef Molefe, all served with a fine-dining twist. The seafaring restaurant has undergone a full revamp, featuring earthy neutral tones with bold blues and reds as strong accents, all highlighted with statement furniture and lighting by South African crafters and designers.
The new dine-in space embraces the evolution of South African aesthetics, both in food and design, with the intention of being recognised globally, showcasing the best our country has to offer under both umbrellas.
Walter Train describes his work as sitting at the intersection of two seemingly disparate worlds: one an Nguni upbringing rooted in family and culture, the other a western lineage intimately part of his birth. Says Tracy Lynch, one of Clout/SA’s managing executives, “Train is a young, talented designer with a strong connection to his South African heritage and roots, which made him a great collaborating interior designer for the project.”
