{"id":1270,"date":"2025-10-31T15:59:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/africainternationaldesignawards.com\/?p=1270"},"modified":"2026-03-28T14:11:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T14:11:42","slug":"design-week-south-africa-2025-celebrates-creativity-in-johannesburg-and-cape-town","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/design-week-south-africa-2025-celebrates-creativity-in-johannesburg-and-cape-town\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Week South Africa 2025 Celebrates Creativity in Johannesburg and Cape Town"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PxuDVNhz4qM?si=JNLyaxrdYLJoZnH-\" width=\"100%\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br><strong>Header Courtesy of Design Week South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Two cities, two weeks, and hundreds of moments of exchange: <a href=\"https:\/\/designweeksouthafrica.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Design Week South Africa<\/a> returned for its second edition in Johannesburg from <strong>October 9\u201312<\/strong> and Cape Town from <strong>October 23\u201326<\/strong>, reaffirming its role as a national platform for design, dialogue and urban imagination.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--heading\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Johannesburg<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Johannesburg opened with <strong>Morning Sessions<\/strong> at here.joburg in Rosebank, hosted by <strong>Simone Schultz<\/strong>. Each morning, local and international voices set the tone with discussions on design\u2019s role in shaping practice and place.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p><strong>Mapping Memories<\/strong> at 27 Boxes turned the city into an emotional atlas through a participatory installation and workshop. <strong>Threads of Renewal II<\/strong>, curated by <strong>Tandekile Mkize<\/strong> at The Library of Things We Forgot To Remember, highlighted textiles and crafts with a contemporary lens.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>At <strong>TONIC\u2019s<\/strong> Parktown North showroom, <strong>Andile Buka<\/strong> launched Ari\u2019s Listening Room, a series of sound-based encounters where artists and collectors explored listening as design. The <strong>Structures<\/strong> exhibition at JCAF opened to guided tours that examined form and the built environment in the broader Worldmaking series.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Film was present through the <strong>Reel to Reality Festival<\/strong> at Lang de Moun Mon, blending African and diasporic storytelling with the outdoors. Community came to the fore at the <strong>Annual Kasiology Festival<\/strong> in Soweto, curated by Creative20 and Jozi My Jozi. <strong>Young Urbanists<\/strong> led a walk along Lilian Ngoyi Street, unpacking how engineering and planning are reshaping public space.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Victoria Yards became a hub with <strong>What Is African Streetwear?<\/strong> by <strong>FRNDLY SA<\/strong>, a <strong>Tufting Workshop with FybRe Studios<\/strong>, and a <strong>Garden Day Celebration<\/strong> with urban farmer <strong>Siyabonga Ndlangamandla<\/strong>. The weekend closed with the <strong>Babize Bonke<\/strong> panel at Nando\u2019s Central Kitchen, where Jozi My Jozi spotlighted collaborative storytelling and design-led community building.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--heading\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cape Town<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Cape Town\u2019s programme opened with a launch at One Park and closed at Cape Grace Hotel with <strong>Jazz Alley<\/strong>, framing four days of dense programming.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Highlights included <strong>The Things We Love<\/strong> exhibition curated by <strong>Simone Schultz<\/strong> with <strong>Bielle Bellingham<\/strong>, where creatives such as <strong>Masego Morgan<\/strong>, <strong>Koos Groenewald<\/strong> and <strong>Onesimo Bam<\/strong> presented their favourite locally designed objects. <strong>Morning Sessions<\/strong> shifted to Max Bagels at One Park, bringing together voices like <strong>Yoko Choy<\/strong> of Wallpaper China, <strong>Amy Thompson<\/strong> of Yes &amp; Studio, and <strong>Star Shongwe<\/strong> of V&amp;A Watershed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Studios and spaces opened their doors, including <strong>Wiid Design<\/strong>, <strong>Hoi P\u2019loy<\/strong>, <strong>Skinny laMinx<\/strong>, and the <strong>Longkoof Precinct<\/strong> in Park Road with <strong>dhk architects<\/strong> and <strong>Studio Mass<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Cape Town also staged product launches from <strong>Cape Cobra<\/strong>, <strong>Curacion Collection<\/strong>, <strong>Yamkela Mhlelehlele<\/strong>, and a <strong>MAISON KOTR<\/strong> installation at Arthur\u2019s Mini Super in Sea Point. <strong>Locha Design<\/strong> activated the street outside One Park with the new Akan outdoor collection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p><strong>Open Langa<\/strong> transformed King Langa Libalele and Lerotholi Avenue into a pedestrianised corridor anchored by the <strong>ReBuilt Cape Town<\/strong> exhibition, in collaboration with <strong>Bauhaus Earth<\/strong>, the <strong>Masakhe Foundation<\/strong>, and the <strong>African Centre for Cities<\/strong>. The <strong>Active Mobility Forum<\/strong> led community rides from the CBD and Khayelitsha, while <strong>Young Urbanists<\/strong> and <strong>UTTE<\/strong> hosted a rare site visit to the <strong>Soweto-Caracas Community Centre<\/strong> in Khayelitsha.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>The <strong>V&amp;A Watershed<\/strong> consolidated its position as a hub for local makers, offering creative walks, exhibitions, talks, and workshops with names such as <strong>Nammu Ceramics<\/strong>, <strong>Pichulik<\/strong>, and <strong>Suzanne Elizabeth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>A National Conversation<br>The 2025 edition positioned design not just as a showcase but as a catalyst. From textiles to urban planning, from listening rooms to township festivals, the week demonstrated how South African creativity spans disciplines while addressing social change, economic opportunity and cultural identity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Curated by <strong>Margot Molyneux<\/strong>, <strong>Zanele Kumalo<\/strong>, <strong>Roland Postma<\/strong>, and <strong>Simone Schultz<\/strong>, the programme was intentionally dense, encouraging visitors to curate their own journey through a landscape where design is both an everyday practice and a tool for reimagining the future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--image\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-1366x910.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DESIGN-WEEK-DAY-1-75.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--image\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"754\" src=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1024x754.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1024x754.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-768x566.jpg 768w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1536x1131.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1920x1414.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1600x1178.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-1366x1006.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-550x405.jpg 550w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43-150x110.jpg 150w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-43.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--image\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-1366x910.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HERE-DAY4-48.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper block-wrapper--paragraph\"><div class=\"container container--narrow\">\n<p>Follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/designweeksouthafrica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>@designweeksouthafrica<\/strong><\/a> to keep up with the next chapter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Header Courtesy of Design Week South Africa Two cities, two weeks, and hundreds of moments of exchange: Design Week South Africa returned for its second\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-design-stories"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1270"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2005,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1270\/revisions\/2005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elitus.hr\/africainternationaldesignawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}