Not long ago a lady walked into our New Zealand showroom with a small package for me. It had come from South Africa, carried by several different people in a tenuous link. Inside were two gorgeous ceramic mugs. My memory ran back to Cape Town the previous year where I had given a talk and workshop at their design festival.

I had also been asked to take part in an installation called Ukusela Ekapa, created by Hennie Meyer and Janine de Waal. 10,000 clay drinking cups called ‘ikomityi’, were made by people from all walks of life and installed on Robben Island to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela and 20 years of South African democracy.

Before firing, while the clay was still wet and soft, each one was gently squeezed by invited people. I was one, and I wrote my name on the side. Now the installation was over and here were two cups for me, bearing the hand imprint of Hennie and Janine themselves. Somewhere in South Africa, or around the world, someone continues to feel my squeeze.

Every day as I drink my green tea, my fingers can mould to Janine’s soft hollows or to Hennie’s firmer grip. I can feel the hot black texture of the clay - of the African earth - or the smooth, cooler green glaze. As I do this I am reminded of another southern hemisphere culture under equally blue skies - but also of its darker history. This cup actually sat in the Robben Island compound where Mandela exercised.