SA Litho and ROTOCON serve up a vintage year for young label designers

SA Litho Label Printers and ROTOCON have forged a dynamic partnership to nurture the next generation of label design talent through the ROTOCON Student Wine

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SA Litho Label Printers and ROTOCON have forged a dynamic partnership to nurture the next generation of label design talent through the ROTOCON Student Wine Label Design Competition. This collaboration embodies their shared dedication to cultivating young talent and driving innovation in the design and printing sectors. Here’s to shaping the future, one label at a time.


The ROTOCON Student Wine Label Design Competition, in collaboration with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), celebrates South Africa’s emerging label designers. Open to third- and fourth-year students in the Integrated Communication Design (ICD) program, the competition aligns with the WineLand & ROTOCON 30 Under 30 Awards, spotlighting the country’s top young design minds.

Winner of the ROTOCON Student Wine Label Design competition Zanele Nkambule (left) with SA Litho Label Printers’ general manager Dawrian Salies (centre) and runner-up Syamdumisa Mbele (right).

“Events like this help identify tomorrow’s leaders and shape the nation’s future,” says Michael Aengenvoort, CEO of ROTOCON. This vision is echoed by Banie Stafford, owner of B.Creative Marketing, who extended the competition’s reach from the Western Cape to Gauteng, enriching students’ insights into the wine industry.

This year’s competition saw a surge in entries from TUT’s ICD students, reflecting high standards and international alignment. “The competition offers students invaluable real-world exposure and networking opportunities,” notes Banie. Impressed by the inaugural event’s success, SA Litho Label Printers committed to supporting the initiative by printing the winning and runner-up labels at their Cape Town facility, offering students a tangible showcase for their designs.

Student exposure

Zenzele Nkambule, an advanced ICD diploma student, won with his design ‘Route 62,’ inspired by Stellenbosch’s scenic beauty and Ndebele heritage. “I combined landscape imagery with Ndebele elements for a modern twist,” says Zenzele. His prize includes R30 000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the WineLand & ROTOCON 30 Under 30 Awards luncheon in Paarl.

Syamdumisa Mbele, a third-year ICD student, was the runner-up with his ‘Soet Uitnemendheid’ (Sweet Excellence) design featuring the Cape Sugarbird. “I used the waistcoat to symbolise refinement and excellence,” Syamdumisa explains. He won R15 000 and a trip to the awards ceremony.

Commitment to skills development

SA Litho’s partnership with ROTOCON goes beyond sponsorship, reflecting a commitment to skills development. “Investing in youth and education is crucial for South Africa’s future,” says General Manager Dawrian Salies. The company supports staff training and fosters a culture of continuous improvement through various partnerships, enhancing business and product performance.

Dawrian’s passion for youth development was evident during a tour of SA Litho’s production facility for the student winners. “Guiding the students through our facility is our way of giving back and fostering growth,” Dawrian adds. The tour provided valuable insights into printing processes, inspiring the students and fuelling their industry passion.

Involving SA Litho’s DTP interns in printing the winning labels demonstrated their commitment to youth development. Interns led the project, gaining hands-on experience in design and production. “The interns’ involvement allowed them to develop their skills while contributing to a high- profile project,” he says.

A shared passion

SA Litho’s partnership with ROTOCON reflects a mutual dedication to youth empowerment. “Michael and I share a passion for giving back and investing in our country’s growth,” Dawrian notes. This synergy between technology, design and production drives innovation and supports the next generation of talent.

SA Litho and ROTOCON’s collaboration in the Student Wine Label Design Competition showcases how industry leaders can positively impact youth development. By offering real-world experiences and showcasing talents, they’re shaping the future of South Africa’s design and printing industries while investing in the country’s youth.

PDF of article»» as featured in WineLand Magazine

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