In May 2025, South African landscape design sensation and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Alumnus, Leon Kluge, scooped his third Gold Medal with an exhibit titled "Iconic Landscapes, at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in London. This exceptional victory underscores his unique talent, while also highlighting South Africa's rich biodiversity on a global stage.

In addition, the exhibit's excellence was recognised with multiple awards, including the prestigious Gold Medal, "Best New Design," and "Best in the Great Pavilion." These accolades are proof of the team's dedication and Kluge's visionary design. While captivating visitors, the display also attracted the attention of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who visited the South African stand, underscoring the global significance of South Africa's floral heritage.

A vision rooted in nature

Kluge's design philosophy is deeply intertwined with nature. Rather than drawing inspiration from books or trends, he immerses himself in the natural world, observing plants in their native habitats. This approach allows him to create gardens that resonate with authenticity and a profound sense of place. His previous works, such as "The Cape Flora of South Africa," have garnered international acclaim, showcasing his ability to blend art with environmental consciousness. 

Leon Kluge, scooped his third Gold Medal with his exhibit titled "Iconic Landscapes, at the Royal Horticultural Society's 2025 Chelsea Flower Show in London. 

The 2025 Exhibit: A tribute to the Cape Floral Kingdom

For the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show, Kluge's exhibit, "Iconic Landscapes," took visitors on a journey through South Africa's diverse terrains. The display featured over 22,000 plant stems, including 40 different protea varieties, such as the rare Protea pityphylla and the pendulous Protea sulphurea. These species are native to the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world's six floral kingdoms and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

A standout feature of the exhibit was the backdrop created by artist Tristan Woudberg. Using large clay sculptures, Woudberg depicted the mountain ranges that divide the Cape's biomes, symbolising the harsh climates where these unique species thrive. The cracked clay formations represented the contrasting wet and dry seasons of the fynbos biome, highlighting the fragility of these ecosystems.

 Leon Kluge and Tristan Woudberg at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, celebrating their gold medal win.

This achievement was the result of Kluge, artist Tristan Woudberg and a team of volunteers’ collaborative effort. Their meticulous planning and hard work ensured the success of the exhibit. The team's commitment to showcasing South Africa's unique flora was evident in every aspect of the display, from the selection of plant species to the design of the sculptures.

Master mind behind two previous show-stopping displays 

Kluge, who completed his B-Tech in Landscape Technology in 2009 through the Department of Horticulture, was the mastermind behind South Africa’s show-stopping displays in both 2024 and 2025. These victories mark his fourth and fifth Chelsea Gold medals, having also won in 2018 and 2019, and reaffirm his status as a visionary in the world of landscape and floral design.

In 2024, Kluge, along with fellow TUT Horticulture alumna Anna Rose Ncube (Class of 2013), was instrumental in Team South Africa’s breath-taking Protea-inspired exhibit. Featuring over 22,000 stems of Protea and various fynbos species, the display paid tribute to the biodiversity of the Cape’s mountainous regions.

This powerful and colourful design — complete with rare hybrids like Protea "Snow Leopard" and delicate blooms such as Serruria florida ("Blushing Brides") — earned perfect scores from the RHS judges. The exhibit was also awarded Best Exhibit in the Pavilion and Best New Design, with critics hailing it as one of the most outstanding displays in the show’s history.

With high expectations following their 2024 triumph, Kluge and his team returned in 2025 with South Africa’s largest exhibit yet, once again claiming a Gold Medal at the world’s most prestigious flower show.

by Gerrit Bester

Fresh from the stage, after graduating on Thursday, 15 May, with an Advanced Diploma in Project Management, Buhle Sindane (26) didn’t get a chance to celebrate. She had a catering job waiting and rushed straight from the ceremony to work elsewhere on the Pretoria Campus – showing her dedication and hustle, always ready to seize every opportunity, no matter the circumstances. 

“I couldn’t drop the ball. I had to ensure that everything was perfect and served on time,” she says. 

After about an hour, she returned to the green lawns of the Theunis Bester Hall to celebrate with her mother, Christina; sister, Blessing; and boyfriend, Mahlaule.

Buhle’s catering business, Magnitude of Flavours (MOF), operates from a trailer parked outside the West gate of the Pretoria Campus.

Buhle Sindane (26) in front of the trailer from which she operates Magnitude of Flavours, her catering business.

The business had an interesting start, but first things first. 

“As the firstborn, I was placed in front of a stove at a very young age and over time I have learnt to love it,” says Buhle. 

“My granny, Lettie Zondi, was a great cook and taught me a lot. I use some of her recipes and have modernised them. I also love watching cooking channels.”

The business actually started in her third year, right in the Orion res on the Pretoria Campus, when Buhle spotted a need for after-hours catering for students. 

She quickly became renowned for her sphatlho or kota, best described as a South African street food (sandwich with meat and French fries) popular in all provinces.

“When I moved out of Orion, I received invaluable support from the TUT Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, where the business was incubated. The Centre taught me a great deal about running a business. Not only did they instill in me an entrepreneurial mindset, but they also provided coaching and played a significant role in turning my dream into reality”, she says. 

“This year, the business really took off, with orders pouring in. Magnitude of Flavours specialises in platters, fast foods and warm comfort meals, but we’re flexible.” 

She employs at least six people and has also acquired bicycles to allow for easy delivery on campus.

Buhle adds that her Advanced Diploma in Project Management has been invaluable in running her business. “It has taught me to mitigate risks and to deliver on time,” she explains.

What advice does she have for young entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses? 

“It takes time. Be persistent, watch the journey unfold, network and talk to people,” she emphasises. 

“The by-laws prohibit us from setting up gazebos and chairs for our customers. As a result, they must wait for their orders in the sun and often eat while sitting on the floor. This is one of the major challenges we face with the current system,” she explains.

Buhle has big dreams, including owning supermarkets and rooftop restaurants, among other goals.

For now, she is also focusing on her honours studies, which examine the effectiveness of networking as an entrepreneur.

Time to celebrate! Buhle at her graduation ceremony.

Contact Buhle as follows:

WhatsApp: 081 398 5371 
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: www.moff.co.za 

No time to drop the ball! At the catering job on her graduation day.

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The Faculty of Arts and Design at the Tshwane University of Technology invites staff and students to participate in My Piece of Peace, an artivist initiative that turns personal reflection into a powerful act of collective resistance. As part of the 100 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), this project asks a simple, yet poignant question: “What brings me peace?”.

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is bursting with pride as it celebrates the extraordinary achievement of Andile Wiseman Nkalanga, who has been honored with the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Andile’s remarkable journey through the Diploma in Computer Science culminated in an astounding 16 distinctions, a testament to their unwavering dedication, brilliance, and passion for excellence.

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The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) newly capped experts in Organisational Leadership, Drs Lametse Nono Letsebe and Neo Titus Lekutle received their Doctoral Degrees in Management Sciences during TUT’s recent Autumn Graduations. Their pioneering research has been showcased at prestigious international conferences, earning recognition on a global stage.