Koooooos: The Cape Town Artist Behind Our Next Hotlist Cover
Inside his illustration process, plus his Design Week edit.
By Inside Guide • 21 October 2026
Koos Groenewald is an innercity soul. The artist and graphic designer, also known as Koooooos, credits Joburg and Pretoria’s creative scenes with shaping him; it’s Cape Town’s contrasts which capture his imagination, though. His illustrations, sculptures and paintings frame the gritty, witty Cape with humour and care.
It is this legendary eye for detail that he brings to the cover artwork he created especially for Inside Guide’s Hotlist 2027 magazine, on shelves in mid-November. “I just walked around the city for a week: observing, taking photos and then pulling it all together in a drawing,” he says. “I hope people feel like they’re on the city’s streets or its public spaces. It’s a reminder to go back there and not take it for granted. To stop and look around.”
It’s fitting then that you can spend time with him on the sidewalk during Design Week Cape Town this October. Over three days, he’ll be painting a mural outside the Nammu Ceramics studio on 39 Buitenkant Street. It will be unveiled on Saturday 24 October alongside vessels crafted by Nammu’s Jade Ruijzenaars and painted by him – their homage to the ancient Greek tradition of potters and painters collaborating. The four-day city-wide festival doesn’t just show existing work, but spurs new projects into motion, says Koos. “It’s a big catalyst because people treat it as an annual milestone. People take it super seriously.”
South Africa’s art and design world is in a confusing but exciting time, he says. “New things are happening and there’s a lot going on. Cape Town is more and more becoming a place where people have opportunities to share their work and make a name for themselves.” And it’s not just thanks to the artists – the blooming furniture and interior scene is world-class, he adds. “It just feels like there’s a range of things happening from high-end to lower. Things are cooking at every level.”
Koos’s Design Week Cape Town must-sees
Wednesday 21 October
The Design Kids is a global platform connecting creatives in cities around the world. Whatever its local chapter, The Design Kids CPT, does is great. Don’t miss their “Speed Dating for Creative Folk” activation at 133 Bree Street.
Afterwards, head to the launch of The With, a pop-up bar by Weylandts in their new experimental space at 107 Castle Street. It’s open each night of Design Week until late, with a Design Week Afterparty on Saturday night.
Thursday 22 October
The new CRÉMA space at 19 Buitenkant Street is absolutely incredible (it feels like you could be in Copenhagen) so the two CRÉMA x Muuto presentations being held there are a must.
In-between sessions, check out the Studio W. Projects open studio, on the second floor at 47 Bree Street. The founder, Nikki Wilsworth, recently did a small, intimate exhibition of poetry in brass and print. That and more will be on show.
In the evening, head to the Mele Studios Capsule Collection Launch at Akra Bar (58 Wale Street) at 7pm. Mele Studios founder, Kagiso Makgalemele, is in my ceramics class and her collection is guaranteed to be beautiful. If you can’t make the opening, pop in to see it at Akra on Friday or Saturday evening.
On the way to Akra, stop at Bree Street’s Nish Nush for Middle-Eastern streetfood or at Clarke’s for a bite and a hang.
Friday 23 October
For breakfast or lunch, head to Stellski Café or The General Store. I also like Shelflife Café for coffee (half price before 9.30!) or a salad for lunch.
The Haldane workshop at 57 Salt River Road is unreal, so definitely check out the launch of the HALDANE x NØDE Collaboration. There’s also a designer walkabout with Haldane Martin and Charles Haupt to look out for.
“A Decade of Inspiration: 10 Years of Good Good Good” is an outdoor exhibition in front of the Duck Duck Goose boutique at 120 Bree Street. Their events always have a DJ, so make some time to hang out there.
For late-afternoon wine, Leo’s Wine Bar and Tannin on Bree Street are my go-to. Or I go to Tomo on Longmarket Street for sushi and beer.
Saturday 24 October
Finish off the weekend with us at Nammu Ceramic’s new studio at 39 Buitenkant Street in the East City, as we unveil the Koooooos x Nammu mural and vessels at 3pm. Then it’s off to The With!
Follow Koos’s Design Week at @koooooos
For more information on Design Week Cape Town, view the full programme here
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