The new Douwe Egberts coffee jars designed by South African artists. Picture: Instagram.
In celebration of Heritage Month, four South African artists have partnered with coffee brand, Douwe Egberts, to celebrate their heritage.
Zinhle Sithebe, Ndumiso Nyoni, Wayne Beukes and Bonolo Chepape designed the new Douwe Egberts jars to showcase their talents and what it means to be a South African.
Sithebe, also known as Zee Feels, said she wanted to celebrate her Zulu and the Ndebele cultures in her design.
“My inspiration for the jar was South Africa’s multicultural essence and my spirit of heritage. I wanted the essence of the country to be captured with the pattern.
“And how I did that was, I incorporated the calabash (ukhamba), which is used in Zulu heritage, mostly by men as a way of sharing traditional beer. I love that element of sharing and connecting, that’s why I added it to the pattern,” Sithebe said.
“Also, you can see in the middle part it’s almost like an abstract version of the South African flag, but there’s also the Ndebele and Zulu patterns.
“There is also the rainbow and the sun. The rainbow represents the multicultural people in the country, and the sun represents joy. As a South African, I feel like we all thrive in the sun.”
Also added to her jar is a home that has a heart because “home is where the heart is”.
Nyoni, whose artwork includes a singing woman, was inspired by the combination of cultures and disciplines in Sophiatown, where people exchanged ideas, enjoyed music and showcased their style through art and fashion.
From Cape Town is Beukes, whose artwork was inspired by the urban life while Chepape’s textile-inspired design showcases Pedi culture,
“This Heritage Month, we’re not just offering coffee but a commitment to sustainability and thoughtful living.
“Our limited-edition jars are designed to be cherished long after the coffee is gone, encouraging upcycling and creative reuse in everyday life.
“At Douwe Egberts, we believe in delivering value that goes beyond taste, aligning with our consumers’ desire for quality and eco-consciousness,” sad Mbulelo Mashilo, the brand manager.