Prepare for the grand debut of Design Week South Africa, powered by Yoco, set to light up Johannesburg from Thursday, 10 – 13 October, and then Cape Town from Thursday, 24 – 27 October.
With Johannesburg’s events just around the corner, Design Week South Africa has released an impressive lineup of new additions to its calendar, with a vibrant mix of events coming to Cape Town later this month.
This innovative festival promises an immersive experience with an array of events, from workshops and exhibitions to collaborations and open studios. Here, design is approached with purpose, aiming to solve real-world challenges.
As urbanist and Design Week South Africa curatorial team member Roland Postma explains, “Design Week South Africa is not just another exhibition or talk shop, but rather intentional pop-ups in real spaces, with real people addressing real challenges – issues that matter to us as an urbanised country.”
What’s Happening at Design Week Joburg?
Adding to an already thrilling lineup, Design Week South Africa has announced even more enticing events in Joburg:
- Thursday, 10 October: The festivities open with a ticketed dinner by MasterChef contestant Tebogo Mabye at 44 Stanley’s Bean There, a book presentation of I Love You I Hate You by Bradley Kirshenbaum of Love Jozi, a talk from Laurice Taitz-Buntman of Johannesburg in Your Pocket, and an interactive open studio with renowned architects, dhk.
- Friday, 11 October: Soweto’s Soulart Foundation hosts a two-day sustainable art and design workshop, while Borwa culinary studio curates an exhibition and dining experience at Victoria Yards. There’s also a minibus tour by Jozi My Jozi showcasing inner-city renewal projects, a street experiment on Bath Street in Rosebank hosted by Young Urbanists in collaboration with Rosebank Management District, and a House and Leisure panel discussion titled The Eye featuring creatives like Trevor Stuurman and Bielle Bellingham, hosted by Design Week South Africa’s Zanele Kumalo.
- Saturday, 12 October: Saturday brings Luke Radloff’s short film and activation Daydreaming & Breaking Bread, the launch of African Zen at Path Nomad, and Asha Eleven’s Spring Collection debut in Parkhurst.
- Sunday, 13 October: Round off with An Exploration of Joburg’s Alleyways tour, guided by architects Clare Chappel and Mark Schaerer, starting from Breezeblock Cafe in Brixton. Later, Mamakashaka presents Design in Bloom, a thought-provoking discussion at their creative Braamfontein space.
Roland, reflecting on the broader vision, shared, “As a young South African and urbanist, I see Design Week South Africa as an extension of the conversations sparked by the World Design Capital 2014 in Cape Town – a space where ideas converge to foster solutions and inspire collaborative action.”
Upcoming Highlights for Design Week Cape Town:
The Cape Town schedule is brimming with top designers and creatives across fields like architecture, fashion, jewellery, and furniture design. Highlights include:
- Wednesday, 23 October: A pre-launch and store window reveal at AKJP will kick things off, showcasing an extensive range of local products.
- Throughout the Weekend: Expect a DJ session with Philip Kramer spinning vinyl at the concept store, and a brunch collection launch by Pina Jewels. Other brand launches include events by furniture designers N I S H and a ceramics/fashion collaboration between HAN and Selfi.
- Special Exhibitions: PICHULIK’s Women of the Water installation, featuring a photographic display and short films, will be shown at The Labia Theatre. Design-lovers can also join exclusive guided tours of Cape Cobra’s factory, HALDANE’s showroom, and Wiid’s creative space, with insights from designer Laurie Wiid van Heerden himself.
- Architecture Tour by dhk: Don’t miss dhk’s guided tour of Cape Town’s city centre, exploring past and future projects by this influential firm.
- District 6 Tribute: Clay, Library, Land Studies, an exhibition by MAAK, Zayaah Khan, and Kent Andreasen, showcases a moving dialogue around District 6 through clay and photography.
For full event details, ticket information, and free registration, head to the Design Week South Africa website.
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Feature image: Supplied / (Cape Cobra)
