T he CGAfrica 3D Character Modelling Competition 2024, themed “Rafiki,” has inspired 3D artists from across the continent to showcase their skills and creativity. This exciting competition highlights the power of storytelling in African folklore, offering artists a chance to bring unique characters to life while receiving expert feedback and mentorship.
The competition centres around Rafiki – a quirky and wise figure deeply rooted in African traditions. With his tall, slender body, expressive face, and tribal designs, Rafiki represents the spirit of a close-knit tribe known for their love of nature and oral storytelling.
Participants were challenged to model Rafiki in 3D, capturing his personality and cultural roots. The entries demonstrated a high level of talent in character design and digital sculpting, reflecting the growing strength of Africa’s creative industry.
This event not only celebrated artistic skill but also encouraged the sharing of cultural heritage through digital art.
Rafiki
Rafiki is a quirky and wise character rooted in African folklore. With his tall, slender body and expressive face marked by tribal designs, he is both enchanting and unique. His large, curious eyes and wide, friendly smile reflect his playful nature and deep wisdom.
Background
Rafiki comes from a close-knit tribe known for their deep connection to nature and rich oral traditions.
As a beloved member of the village, he brings joy and laughter to his people through his carefree antics and infectious enthusiasm. Known for his ability to communicate with animals, Rafiki often seeks their guidance in playful ways, bringing a sense of fun to his role.
Personality
Rafiki is a blend of humor and joy. He loves to play tricks and tell jokes, spreading happiness wherever he goes. His carefree demeanour and boundless energy make him a beloved figure in the village.
He is kind-hearted and always ready to help, using his playful nature to lift the spirits of his friends and tribe members.
Winners of Bring Rafiki to Life 3D Modelling Competition
First Place: Alaeddine Hosni
Alaeddine Hosni from Tunis, Tunisia, has been named the first-place winner of the “Bring Rafiki to Life” 3D Modelling Competition, proudly sponsored by Animation Mentor. His stunning 3D creation of Rafiki, the quirky and wise character rooted in African folklore, impressed the judges with its creativity, detail, and storytelling.
Alaeddine’s passion for character modelling shone through every feature of Rafiki — from the tribal markings on his expressive face to the natural, graceful movement of his tall frame. His entry beautifully captured Rafiki’s deep connection to his tribe and the spirit of African tradition, truly bringing the character to life in a way that resonated with viewers and celebrated the rich culture behind the story.
Second Place: Eden Langeveldt
Eden Langeveldt, a talented 2D and 3D generalist from Zimbabwe, earned second place in the “Bring Rafiki to Life” 3D Modelling Competition. His unique and stylised interpretation of Rafiki impressed both the judges and audience, blending artistic creativity with technical skill.
Eden’s entry stood out for its detailed textures and bold character design. By combining traditional 2D art techniques with the depth of 3D modelling, She created a version of Rafiki that felt both modern and deeply connected to African heritage. Her work beautifully showcased the power of blending different disciplines to tell rich, visual stories.
Third Place: Binyam Engdawork
Binyam Engdawork from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, secured third place in the “Bring Rafiki to Life” 3D Modelling Competition. His thoughtful and creative interpretation of Rafiki captured the essence of African folklore with a strong sense of character and storytelling.
Binyam’s work stood out for its clean modelling, expressive design, and cultural authenticity. Through careful attention to detail and strong visual style, he brought Rafiki to life as a wise and memorable figure. His entry reflects both artistic talent and a deep respect for the roots and spirit of the competition’s theme.
Meet the Competition Judges
Sidney Kombo-Kintombo (Mentor)
Senior Animation supervisor (WĒTĀ FX)
Sidney Kombo-Kintombo has been a professional animator since 2013 and is currently a senior animation supervisor at Weta Digital, based in New Zealand.
He graduated from Animation Mentor in 2010. Sidney has won two Annie Awards for his work on Koba in War for the Planet of the Apes and for his work in Avengers: Endgame.
He also won a Visual Effect Society (VES) Award for Outstanding Character Animation in Avengers: Infinity War.
In his spare time, Sidney is establishing an education program offering young Africans an opportunity to develop skills to tell their own stories. Sidney teaches Animation Basics and Introduction to Acting.
Hamid Ibrahim
CEO of Kugali
Hamid Ibrahim is an Artist who focuses on creative leadership and innovation. He is a co-founder and the CEO of Kugali.
Starting from humble beginnings in Uganda, Hamid has contributed to high-profile Hollywood blockbusters including “Lion King” (2019), “The Predator” (2018), and “Dolittle” (2020), to mention just a few.His most notable achievement is the groundbreaking collaboration with Disney Animation Studios on “Iwaju,” an African created series which marks the first time in Walt Disney’s 100 year history to collaborate with an outside studio (Kugali) to create an original animation.
Nicole Herr
Nicole
is a seasoned Supervising Animator with over 28 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
Her impressive portfolio spans a wide range of feature films, television series, video games, and theme park attractions.
Some of the notable projects she has contributed to include
- Titanic
- Space Jam
- Blue Eye Samurai
- Open Season
- Surf’s Up
- Watchmen
- Iron Man 2
- X-Men 2
- Gears of War
- Call of Duty, and many more.
Sponsor
Animation Mentor
Animation Mentor is a world-renowned online animation school, founded in 2005 by professional animators from major studios like Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic. The school offers a hands-on, mentor-led approach, allowing students to learn directly from industry experts who have worked on some of the biggest films and games in the world. With a global community and alumni working at top studios, Animation Mentor is known for nurturing talent and turning passion into profession.
As the official sponsor of CGAfrica’s Bring Rafiki to Life 3D Modelling Competition, Animation Mentor proudly supported African artists in showcasing their creativity, cultural storytelling, and technical skill. Through this collaboration with CGAfrica, Animation Mentor provided valuable exposure, feedback, and encouragement to rising 3D talents across the continent — continuing its mission to inspire and equip the next generation of world-class animators.
FAQ
What is the CGAfrica 3D Character Modelling Competition 2024 about?
The competition is an event organised by CGAfrica that encourages 3D artists from across Africa to create unique characters inspired by African folklore. The theme for 2024 was “Rafiki,” a wise and quirky figure deeply connected to nature and tradition.
Who was Rafiki, the character in the competition?
Rafiki is a fictional character rooted in African folklore. He is tall, slender, and marked with tribal designs, symbolising wisdom, community, and the storytelling traditions of his tribe.
Who sponsored the “Bring Rafiki to Life” competition?
Animation Mentor, a renowned online animation school, sponsored the competition, providing participants with exposure, mentorship, and professional guidance.
Who were the winners of the competition?
- First place: Alaeddine Hosni from Tunis, Tunisia.
- Second place: Eden Langeveldt from Zimbabwe.
- Third place: Binyam Engdawork from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Who judged the competition?
The competition was judged by industry experts Sidney Kombo-Kintombo, senior animation supervisor at Wētā FX; Hamid Ibrahim, CEO of Kugali; and Nicole Herr, a veteran supervising animator with over 28 years of industry experience.
What were the judges looking for in entries?
Judges evaluated entries based on creativity, technical skill, storytelling ability, cultural authenticity, and how effectively participants brought the character of Rafiki to life.
What did Alaeddine Hosni achieve with his entry?
Alaeddine Hosni’s entry stood out for its creativity, detailed character modelling, and storytelling. His depiction of Rafiki beautifully represented African traditions and storytelling.
What made Eden Langeveldt’s entry unique?
Eden combined traditional 2D art techniques with detailed 3D modelling, creating a stylised and dynamic representation of Rafiki that highlighted cultural heritage and artistic innovation.
Why was Animation Mentor involved as a sponsor?
Animation Mentor aims to support and inspire emerging animators globally. By sponsoring the competition, they provided African artists with mentorship, feedback, and opportunities to showcase their talent internationally.
Can anyone participate in future CGAfrica competitions?
Yes, CGAfrica regularly organises creative competitions open to artists across Africa, aimed at nurturing talent, celebrating African culture, and showcasing artistic skills.
