Origins
Born in Durban, South Africa and now based in London, United Kingdom, Zesintu Mgobhozi founded CIKO CIRILLO to document how creativity moves between Africa and the world. Her work sits at the intersection of luxury, art, fashion, culture and sustainability. Through thoughtful conversations, research and visual storytelling, she is building an editorial archive that preserves cultural narratives for future generations.
Before founding CIKO CIRILLO, Zesintu worked as a Strategist at Net#work BBDO, contributing strategic thinking for global brands including Google, YouTube, L’Oréal, Ford Mustang and Bacardi. Her background in marketing research continues to inform the curiosity and depth behind every editorial feature.
She graduated Cum Laude in Marketing Communication from the AAA School of Advertising, receiving six academic excellence awards. She then graduated with a BComm Honours in Marketing Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she pioneered research into sustainable fashion. She is currently an MSc in Marketing and Brand Management candidate at Nottingham Business School in the United Kingdom. For Zesintu, every interview is a contribution to a growing cultural archive that ensures today’s creative voices remain part of tomorrow’s history.
CIKO CIRILLO documents contemporary culture through luxury, art, fashion and sustainability, building a living editorial archive that connects Africa with the world.
Cultural Preservation: Through editorial interviews, research studies and visual storytelling, we preserve the ideas, craftsmanship and people shaping contemporary creativity for future generations.
Narrative Equity: As an Official Partner Initiative supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we champion diverse creative voices and contribute to a more inclusive global cultural record.
Creative Exchange: Founded in Johannesburg and operating from London, we connect creatives, brands and institutions through thoughtful editorial storytelling that celebrates craftsmanship, cultural dialogue and the movement of ideas across continents.
