Officially, Patty Mulauzi is Plascon's Colour Consultant. Unofficially, She defines herself as part digital strategist, part interior empath and part mood-maker. "Think of me as your personal joy spreader, armed with paint swatches and zero fear of rainbows," says Mulauzi. "I take bland, boring spaces like that sad beige hallway or 'meh' kitchen, and zap them with bold, joyful hues until they're singing."

Mulauzi aims to have an understanding of how colour shapes emotion, experience and legacy. It's this mix of creativity, confidence, intuition and visual storytelling that Plascon believes has made Mulauzi a cornerstone of the Plascon brand for nearly 12 years, and a driving force behind how the company communicates colour beyond the product, as an experience, says the company.

Telling a Story Through Colour

"A colour story isn't about pretty shades; it's a visual narrative," Mulauzi explains. "Every hue carries a feeling, a memory, a personality. It's like composing a song, with tones instead of notes."

Mulauzi recalls her earliest memory of colour's emotional impact came after a thunderstorm, when she saw her first rainbow as a child. "All those colours stretched across the sky felt like magic and comfort rolled into one. After that, I always looked for the rainbow after every rainfall."

That same instinct for emotional resonance still shapes her work today, aiming to blend creativity with strategic insight. "I filter global colour trends through a local lens," she says.

In an industry that can often reduces colour to codes, charts and tint wheels, she hopes to be part of the movement rehumanising it, making it about mood, memory and meaning. "If it doesn't resonate with the person's life, mood and space, it's a hard pass."

Right now, Mulauzi is interested in the colour, lilac. "Lilac, with its gentle, nostalgic charm, perfectly captures where I'm at," she reflects. "As I barrel towards the big four-oh, I feel I'm finally finding my groove. I'm getting more grounded, more peaceful and, honestly, just way more appreciative of the good stuff. The tough moments still happen, but they don't haunt me like they used to. Lilac is like a soft sigh of contentment — a quiet celebration of all the beautiful things life’s thrown my way."

That emotional shift shapes how Mulauzi thinks about the future and about legacy, both personal and professional. "Legacy isn't only what you leave behind; it's about the feeling you impart," she says. "Plascon's motto of turning valued assets into legacies really resonates with me, because it's exactly what I try to do with colour. Beyond painting walls, it's about infusing spaces with soul and story."

Mulauzi's personal legacy includes, 'turning the drab into fab'. "It's about showing people how thoughtfully chosen colour can transform a house into a home, a lasting feeling that lives on long after the last brushstroke. That emotional imprint, that 'wow' moment? That's the magic."

A Brand That Evolves With Purpose

Having been with Plascon for over a decade, Mulauzi has witnessed the brand's transformation firsthand. "One of the biggest evolutions has been the commitment to sustainability and innovation," she says. "When I started, eco-friendly paints and low VOCs weren't top of mind. Now, Plascon leads the way with air-purifying paints, upcycled packaging and future-forward formulations designed specifically for South African conditions."

Through all the change, the essence of the brand hopes to remain steady. "What's stayed beautifully the same is our unwavering commitment to quality and durability. Iconic products like Double Velvet and Micatex continue to deliver on that promise. That reliability, paired with bold innovation, is what makes Plascon timeless."

Where Tech Meets Touch

Mulauzi's canvas is digital. She's aiming to help bring colour to life through scroll-stopping content, interactive mood boards and campaigns that make it easier for people to visualise their dream spaces. "People are bolder with colour these days," she says. "Thanks to digital platforms, design has become more democratic and playful."

As AI and algorithmic tools reshape the creative space, Mulauzi remains firm in her philosophy: "Creativity is human. It's emotional, instinctive, sensory. No dataset can replace the magic of a mood, or the impact of a well-timed pop of red."

The Colour of Women's Month

In a month that honours the voices, creativity and contributions of South African women, Mulauzi's story aims to be a reminder that women wield power in many ways. 

When asked what colour she would paint the globe this Women's Month, she says, Soft safe green. "It's a colour that says, 'It's time to slow down, reconnect and nurture ourselves and the world around us.' It's not loud or performative; it's grounded, intentional and quietly powerful — just like the women who inspire me; just like what I hope my work brings to the world."

For more information, visit www.plascon.co.za. You can also follow Plascon on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor