Mangaliso Ngcobo is an architecture student and emerging writer whose creative outlook has been shaped by the city of Johannesburg, the place where he grew up and where, as he describes it, his “eye and pen have largely been informed.” The urban fabric of the city—its contradictions, struggles, and beauty—has fueled his interest in art, architecture, and the written word as tools for grappling with wider social and environmental issues.

At university, Ngcobo found a like-minded collaborator in fellow student Sam Harding, with whom he shares a passion for both art and storytelling. Together, they launched TWI ST Magazine, a biannual publication dedicated to exploring the environment through culture and critique. Framed around the idea of art as “an operating system for engaging with a world in crisis,” the magazine brings together articles, essays, and photography that challenge conventional narratives and invite readers into deeper reflection on climate and society.

Ngcobo’s growing body of work reflects his commitment to situating design within a broader cultural conversation. He approaches architecture not only as a technical practice, but as a medium of communication—one that can draw from literature, journalism, and the arts to ask urgent questions about the future.

As part of the Young Climate Prize program, Ngcobo and Harding were mentored by Susan Sellers, founding partner and executive creative director of New York–based design studio 2x4. Under her guidance, they developed new ways to expand the scope and ambition of TWI ST Magazine, sharpening its voice as a platform where creative practice and climate awareness intersect.