Luxury is often associated with exclusivity and fine craftsmanship. But what happens when a piece of jewellery becomes a vehicle for social change?
One year after its launch, the Patrick Mavros Kolisi Cuff has proven that thoughtful design can leave a legacy far beyond fashion. Created through a collaboration between renowned African luxury jeweller Patrick Mavros and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, the handcrafted sterling silver cuff has helped fund critical gender-based violence (GBV) intervention programmes across the Western Cape.
In just 12 months, proceeds from sales of the cuff have contributed to the screening of 18,975 women for intimate partner violence at Groote Schuur Hospital and Mitchells Plain District Hospital. The initiative, supported through the Kolisi Foundation, has also helped train healthcare workers and strengthen screening systems, enabling public healthcare facilities to identify survivors earlier and provide trauma-informed care.
While the cuff itself is a symbol of craftsmanship, its impact extends well beyond the jewellery box.
“For generations, our family has believed that the objects we create should carry meaning beyond themselves,” says Alexander Mavros. “The Kolisi Cuff represents courage, resilience and generosity – values that Siya embodies so naturally. Knowing that every cuff has contributed to creating safer futures for women makes this one of the most meaningful collaborations in our history.”
The partnership brings together two distinctly African success stories.
Patrick Mavros has spent more than four decades building one of the continent’s most respected luxury jewellery brands, known for handcrafted pieces inspired by Africa’s wildlife and heritage. Kolisi, meanwhile, has become one of South Africa’s most influential figures, rising from Zwide in the Eastern Cape to become the country’s first Black Rugby World Cup-winning captain. Through the Kolisi Foundation, he has continued to champion initiatives addressing some of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges.
Together, they created more than a collectible piece of jewellery. The Kolisi Cuff was designed as a statement of purpose, with every handcrafted sterling silver piece contributing to programmes that support survivors of gender-based violence.
Each cuff is individually made by Patrick Mavros artisans using traditional silversmithing techniques, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. But beyond its craftsmanship, the collection demonstrates a growing shift in luxury consumerism—one where buyers increasingly seek products that align with their values and create measurable impact.
Over the past year, funding generated through the collaboration has strengthened public healthcare’s capacity to respond to gender-based violence by improving early detection and creating safer referral pathways for survivors seeking specialist support.
At a time when South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of gender-based violence, initiatives that combine business, philanthropy and public healthcare are becoming increasingly important. Rather than existing solely as a luxury accessory, the Kolisi Cuff has become a reminder that design and purpose can coexist.
A year after its debut, the collaboration’s legacy is no longer defined by sterling silver or craftsmanship alone. It is reflected in the thousands of women who have been screened, supported and connected to care—demonstrating that sometimes the most valuable thing a piece of jewellery can offer is hope.
