Why?
The inspiration behind it all.
Not so light reading
THE STORY
2015 to Present
“My name is Francois, a creative that is excited about the journey of process. It is the narrative that demonstrates understanding, when linked to design is the essence of problem solving. Stretching imagination, logic and challenging determination. My name is Francois, a creative that is excited about the journey of process. It is the narrative that demonstrates understanding, when linked to design is the essence of problem solving. Stretching imagination, logic and challenging determination. Having grown up in a time where life & technology transitioned from analogue to digital. Core memories of my childhood can be summed up by playing with cardboard boxes; reshaped into other worlds for us to roam. Combined with discovering the power of a screw driver led to dismantling junk electronics & calculators; the list goes on. These experiences are not unique to me alone as I believe many may share the same nostalgia growing up as we were filled with curiosity and keeping ourselves entertained with what we had at hand. “
“I didn’t realise it at the time but having reflected writing this piece, my career pursuit embodied those two memories of imagination & curiosity; leading to Architecture. The journey of studying and practicing architecture developed holistic thinking & passion for process. It taught me that design and problem solving is not limited to scale, big or small. Like many careers, the journey did result in many hours tied to a desk, itching for a desire to seek adventure as we thirst for more from life. For me, this is where I pivoted into my off-road hobby. Staying true to its original intent as being the most affordable 4×4 vehicle, I got a Jimny. A white 2015 demo JB43 Gen 3, her name was Ursula, which originates from the Latin word for “bear”, Ursa. In the 8 years I owned her, she gave me independence and confidence to go anywhere. affording me the opportunity to travel to beautiful places through out South Africa. “
2015 JB43 Generation 3
ursula
147 000km
2023 JB74 Generation 4
black betty
23 000km to Present
“There were some hiccups during that time; forced entry by breaking the locks, but the most frustration came when the pandemic hit the world. Ursula was in a car accident week before lock down. It lead to waiting 6 months for the repairs due to delays of services. Unfortunately she was not the same after that. Rushed job to repair due to backlogs as businesses opening up caused latent defects in the years that followed. To which the fight and cost was no longer worth it. in 2024, I sadly had to let her go to.
Days, weeks and months after when sharing fond tales and memories of Ursula, many would ask me “Would I get another Jimny?”. “Yes! of course” but they were out of my price range due to demand. It was strange not being able to wave at fellow jimny drivers when you are not in a jimny. the looks and confusion was to much to bare. It took close to 7 months of browsing online markets & visiting dealers until I found the right one. 2023 Gen 4, black, lifted, beefy tyres & in mint condition. I knew, its time and it worked out perfectly. We welcomed Black Betty home. “
“The intention was to continue where Ursula left off, more adventures, which we did; my partner and I experienced new trips not previously done. Intention is going to plan but during a cross country trip to visit family at the end of 2025 lead to a acquiring a old retro roof rack. Unknowingly it kicked started a journey where the process of making comes full circle. the problem, designing footings to fit the old retro rack to bring it home to capetown, required many hours of sketching and collaborating with machinists. We got it done.
2026, we got home and the itch to continued personalising stemmed from being inspired by the retro design. Unseemly trying to explore a colour scheme to suit the old accessory, problems started presenting themselves. Two tone vinyl installation but what about the locks? do we cover them or not. but how do we keep access? what was available to buy was sad and not elegant in its approach to cover the lock, plastic + magnet. This is where, Rugged-Retro was born. 4 months of multiple sketch designs and prototype has resulted in something that was meant to be one off for black betty has evolved into something to be shared with more than just her. “
The departure point
rugged-retro
2026 to Present
