Rosettenville, Joburg is a historically significant suburb neighborhood of Johannesburg, South Africa. Rosettenville is south of the city center, and historically the home of Portuguese immigrants who migrated from Mozambique after gaining independence in the seventies. To our excitement, one of the first Nando’s locations is located in Rosettenville and filled with African design. Nandos is a South African peri-peri style chicken franchise selling Portuguese-African food.
History of Nando’s
Nando’s was founded in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. For centuries, the people of Southeast Africa used peri-peri to add a zesty flavor to their food. The Africa Bird’s Eye Chilli grows only in Mozambique. When the Portuguese explorers first arrived in Mozambique, they fell in love with the plant just like many of the locals. They add lemon and garlic to the chili and turned the Peri-Peri into a spice.
The very first Nando’s opened in 1987, after Mozambique-born Fernando Duarte and South African-born Robert Brozin tasted the chicken from Chickenland. After purifying the peri-peri sauce in South Africa and then tweaking the sauce in other Portuguese territories, they decided to start a restaurant. Duarte and Brozin bought the restaurant and renamed the restaurant Nando’s, after Fernando’s firstborn son, Nando. By 1989, the restaurant had three chains in Johannesburg and one in Portugal. By 1993, there was a Nando’s in Botswana and two stores in Swaziland. Now, there are over 1,000 Nando’s branches in 35 countries.
Studio LeeLynch
Studio LeeLynch is the head designer of this location of Nandos. Since the first-ever location of the franchise stands in Rosettenville, it has to be special. This location is very unique. It is specific to showcase South African art and design. Designer Tracy Lee Lynch said that she wants Nandos Rosettenville to be an exemplary design theatre featuring African design. Nando’s is very culturally symbolic of South African culture and is also famous for its commitment to local design and art.
Throughout are beautiful wall tiles by designer Wolkberg, cork pendants by Wild Design, and black and white beaded hanging lights by Mash.T. The interior architecture encompasses tribal designs unique to South African culture. Young designer Sapamandla Mdunyelwa creates Naturalis chairs that portray a tribal pattern distinctive to the culture.
The red benches are from Houtlander and the tables illustrate a pattern by Nando’s Hot Young Designer Talent Search finalist Primrose Chimhanda. Jenny Parsons creates a stunning exterior for Nando’s, which involves a Half Square tiled art piece. Nando’s owns the largest collection of curated contemporary South African art in the world. The furniture designs are extraordinary, which displays South African craft and skill elements. Many creative minds came together to create each individual fixture and decor on the wall at Nando’s.
The exuberant interiors attract customers worldwide, while also being a prominent historical landmark for Rosettenville. This fast food location has become a popular stop for visitors from all over the world to see the inside of this Nando’s.
Nando’s Design Program
Nando’s is a big supporter of nurturing and showcasing Southern African creativity. They actively support local artists and projects around the community. They have multiple competitions and programs that call on the young artists of South Africa.
One of their programs is Clout. Clout is a publication initiative that showcases the work of local creatives. They feature the artists whose designs are in Nando’s restaurants throughout the world. So far, they have released two publications. The clout team also handles competitions and events revolving around design. For instance, their 100% Design South Africa. The latest completion was in 2019. This competition allows 26 designers out of hundreds of applicants to pitch creative ideas to the panel. In the end, only four individuals are chosen. The winners benefit from the network that the Nando’s Design Programme provides, as well as the business development support program.
In 2018 and 2019, they held Nando’s Hot Young Designer Talent Search. This is a talent search program that invites inspiring South African designers to join Nando’s design program. Contestants respond to a design brief and submit beautiful designs that are included on the Nando’s Portal to Africa, the design program at Nando’s. The first two competitions focus on decors such as light fittings and pattern designs. The designs submitted by winners are used in Nando’s restaurants around the world.
Recently, because of covid, they had Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2020. This is the most recent contest that is all about bench design. Since every Nando’s has a waiting bench for customers to sit waiting for their orders during the pandemic, they wanted to develop a way to create interesting benches. The winner was Katlego Tshuma, who made the Sangu Bench. We highly encourage you to visit Nandos Rosettenville for its curation of African design, and taste some peri peri chicken while you’re there.