Tlali Motaung

Tlali’s week on the floor and in the field

A typical week for Tlali Motaung centres around hands-on organisation and steady communication between our main atelier and the wider KZN maker network. Most mornings start amid Durban’s humidity, where Tlali sorts which Baobab Lamps or Studio Benches are ready for finishing, local powder-coating or bakkie runs to Woodstock. If a timber batch is due or raw brass needs to be sourced for a Maker Mark order, Tlali is the one who checks with our trusted regional suppliers, always thinking two steps ahead so no workshop stands idle. You’ll often find him coordinating joinery checks all the way from Amanzimtoti to Pietermaritzburg, stopping in at small workshops and ensuring nothing slips between cracks.

How Tlali handles collaboration and custom requests

Tlali is the point of contact for clients and designers seeking custom fabrication or to adapt our standard forms. He works directly with interior architects if, for example, a Lowveld lodge needs Karoo Screens in a special powder-coat shade or a set of Foyer Plinths at a non-standard height. Rather than just handling paperwork, Tlali gathers sketches or mood boards, then sits with Durban-based partners to determine exactly how each job will be made. He’ll collect physical samples or offcuts for approval before anything moves into full production, so you get to feel the materials and examine finishes firsthand.

Bringing local makers and clients together

Collaboration is more than a buzzword for Tlali; he keeps the lines open between our team and skilled artisans across KZN. For joint ceramic projects, Tlali spends time in local studios, actually getting his hands on the clay to test shapes for custom Studio Jigs. If a hospitality client from Ballito requests Veld Trays in a unique oak finish, Tlali organises both the workshop visit and the final delivery, making sure every piece is up to standard. His role means he’s always thinking about how our atelier’s approach meets what’s possible, and practical, on the ground in Durban and the region.

Read about the broader Creation Africa team and other regional leads like Ms Zinhle Makhado and Mr Johan de Vries.

When to put Tlali’s name in your subject line

Ask for Tlali when your project needs a hands-on approach, especially if local KZN makers or specialised material sourcing are part of the brief. He’s the go-to for anything involving joint fabrication, customisation of standard pieces or the integration of a third-party artisan into your process. If your email mentions Baobab Lamp colour options, custom ceramics or any new regional partnership, Tlali will pick it up and coordinate the next step. He’s also your contact for site visits in Durban or throughout KZN, handling everything from initial scoping to on-the-floor checks.

• Custom colour or material requests for Baobab Lamps or Veld Trays
• Collaborative projects with Durban ceramicists or timber specialists
• Site visits for quality checks or installation planning in KZN
• Sourcing and adapting pieces for unique interior spaces

Contacting Tlali and the Creation Africa team

To involve Tlali in your next collaboration or to bring a Durban partner on board, send a message through our contact form and mention his name in the subject. He’s best positioned to help when you want a project to reflect both the practical skill and creative potential of KZN’s workshop scene. We weigh each enquiry against bench capacity in Durban, the fabrication method it needs, and the dates the makers can actually hold. Find more on our Projects page for past examples, or meet Ms Amina Patel and Ms Sindisiwe Sekhukhune from other regions.