Explore Africa project invites builders to celebrate Ndebele art. South African designer Lindsay Swartbooi has unveiled a new LEGO Ideas project titled Explore Africa! Ndebele Tribe Hut Set , honouring the country's vibrant Ndebele heritage.
The proposed set invites enthusiasts worldwide to support the build by voting on the LEGO Ideas platform, where it requires 10 thousand votes to become an official release.
According to Lego , Swartbooi conceived the design over two years, combining rigorous cultural research with hands-on experimentation. She replicated the traditional circular ikhaya using bracketed supports, hinge plates and 11 tile cladding to achieve a smooth curve in a medium built on square bricks. The tactile roof, inspired by natural thatch, employs reddish and dark brown elements that swing open to reveal an authentic interior.
Featuring fully customisable 11 tiles, the outer walls act as a blank canvas for builders to create their own geometric murals, reflecting the Ndebele tradition of mural art passed down through generations of women.
To extend the cultural narrative, the set includes a detachable LEGO gold neck ring inspired by the idzila , and a miniature inkemba ceremonial stick.