Three master crafters, one thing in common – they all infuse everything they do with soul. When Mazda set out to uncover some of the finest, most inspired crafters in the country, it was looking for people who mirrored Mazda’s own principles: distinguished Japanese values that have been passed down through the generations.

Each Mazda vehicle is crafted with artful design, Japanese mastery, ingenious technological solutions and human centricity. In other words, they are made with soul and purposefully designed for consumer comfort.

But would this type of craftsmanship be found in South Africa? Mazda wasn’t to be disappointed. In fact, so impressive were the people they discovered, Mazda conceptualised and produced a docu-series about them, streaming exclusively on Showmax as of 21 December 2022.

It’s the very first time that an automotive brand has launched an original series on a streaming platform in South Africa. To win an experience with one of these special crafters,  read below for competition details.

Meet the three featured crafters who, just like Mazda, embody the Japanese principles that relate to perfection, ecological sensitivity and the value of heritage.

Retang Phaahla

Just like Mazda, she embodies the Japanese principle kacho fugetsu – celebrating the beauty of nature and returning to one’s roots.

The co-founder of Setṧong Tea Crafters, Retang ensures every product created is imbued with the soul of her ancestors, the Bapedi people of Limpopo. She’s taken recipes and natural ingredients that are part of her heritage and repurposed them for modern use in her carefully blended teas. “I would love to see the agricultural industry in Limpopo grow not only for tea but also for indigenous crops, because there is so much indigenous knowledge here, and most of the ingredients are wild-harvested. There is so much potential,” she says.

Neels van den Berg

Embodies the Japanese principle kodawari – the pursuit of perfection.

Each blade made by Neels at his Black Dragon Forge is created with passion, dedication and soul. For him, it’s about achieving the pinnacle of perfection in everything he does; the ultimate mastery of natural materials. He is indeed an official master bladesmith, totally in harmony with the tools he uses every day. “As a craftsman, trying to find balance while chasing perfection is incredibly difficult,” he says. “When you put your heart and soul into something you make, that in itself is a masterpiece.”

Roushanna Gray

Embodies the Japanese principle mottainai – not wasting but appreciating the gifts of nature.

Roushanna’s foraging business sets out to share with others the incredible bounty of the land, while at the same time not abusing or wasting anything nature has to offer. She sees herself as a wild food artist, able to paint pictures with the food she forages, presenting it with flair and style to really be appreciated. “Every day, every season, there’s something miraculous to be witnessed in nature,” she says. “And nature is so generous, there’s so much we can learn.”

Watch these three inspirational creatives tell their stories on Showmax from 21 December 2022 to 31 January 2023, as they look towards a future where humans and vehicles can co-exist within our natural environment.

Stand a chance to WIN of 3 experiences with Mazda

Stand a chance to win 1 of 3 premium experiences with your favourite craftsman in a Mazda car. To enter, click here www.mazda.co.za/why-mazda/made-with-soul/ for all the details.

These are the three experiences up for grabs!

Experience 1: Tea Tour & Spa Experience for 4 people in Limpopo

Cultural tea tour
Traditional African lunch
Bush spa experience, including full body massage
1 night accommodation in a 4-star venue (including dinner & breakfast)
Tea gift hamper
Travel to Limpopo, return (if the winner resides outside of Limpopo)
Shuttle: local pick up and drop off in Marble Hall, return

Experience 2: Blade smithing masterclass for 4 people in Gauteng
Forge your own knife, 1 day masterclass
1 night accommodation in a 4-star venue (including meals)
Travel to Gauteng, return (if the winner resides outside of Gauteng)
Shuttle: local pick up and drop off in Lanseria, return

Experience 3: Wild food forage adventure for 2 in Cape Town
Wild food forage adventure
1 night accommodation (including meals)
Foraging guide
Travel to Cape Town, return (if the winner resides outside of Gauteng)
Shuttle: local pick up and drop off in Cape Peninsula, return