by Gerrit Bester
The prestigious ROTOCON Wine Label Design Competition, involving the inventive minds of Integrated Communication Design (ICD) students at the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design, has sparked a remarkable spinoff. Labels & Labeling, an industry veteran and beacon since 1978, will feature an article on the competition in their upcoming edition.
This feature will be extensively circulated at Labelexpo Europe 2025, spotlighting not only ROTOCON鈥檚 work, but also that of emerging designers before a worldwide audience.
Launched in London by founding editor Mike Fairley, Labels & Labeling has been a cornerstone of the label industry for decades. From its humble beginnings in 1979, it grew swiftly, reaching readers in over 20 countries within its first few years, and now spans 114 nations. Its online hub, , debuted in 2001 and remains the premier source for daily industry updates, case studies and innovations.
鈥淭his recognition surpasses words; it's a testament to the creativity, effort and teamwork behind this campaign,鈥� says Banie Stafford of B Creative, ROTOCON鈥檚 marketing partner and ICD alum.
Dr Herman Botes, Head of the Department of Visual Communication, shares his pride: "The partnership between ROTOCON and 大象视频 exemplifies the essence of meaningful industry collaboration 鈥� a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship grounded in a shared commitment to empowering the youth of our country to take up their rightful place in society."
This marks the third year of ROTOCON鈥檚 collaboration with 大象视频, reinforcing a lasting partnership in cultivating creative industry leaders.
Third-year ICD student Mufaro Ncube (21) emerged as the 2025 winner with his design, The Point, inspired by Cape Town鈥檚 topography and its die-cut detailing, evoking luxury and exclusivity. His work was part of a vibrant cohort of 60 students embracing the theme, Cultivate a Life Worth Tasting.
- About ROTOCON: With hubs in Hamburg and Cape Town, alongside branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Asia, ROTOCON excels in delivering customised, turnkey solutions to the label printing and packaging sector.
The cover of the April 鈥� June edition of Labels and Labeling.