Words: Elizebeth Croeser

Think Creative, Think the Future 

Designers, makers, leaders, inventors, innovators, creatives, and thinkers will come together as the Indaba beckons.  

Design Indaba’s aim has been to inspire and awaken since 1995 and in 2020 the event will galvanize creativity again. 

The world can do with more creative ingenuity in order to solve complex environmental and societal problems, and some of the world’s best problem solvers will be sharing their processes and successes at the event. 

Similar to previous years, this year’s event will focus on harnessing a better world through creativity, and the theme for 2020 is future-orientated. With 2020 now in full swing, our 2020 visions and missions might seem either naive or lofty, either way, what is clear is that an attitude of agility and imagination will become increasingly vital.

Creativity isn’t something contained only between the walls of ad agencies or within the brushstrokes of artists; creativity is our ticket to a sustainable future as we increasingly hone our critical thinking and innovation muscles. Events like Design Indaba challenge and encourage us to think outside the box, think inside the box, break out of the box and indeed – create a new box, that might not even be a box. The importance of this kind of exposure and inspiration these events offer is invaluable for not only creatives but for anyone wanting to build something for the future. 

Running from 26 – 28 February 2020, at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, the festival promises to offer mind-bending, thought-disrupting days in store for attendees. Featuring over 30 of the world’s best thinkers sharing solutions for a better future. 

The Speakers

Festival speakers include; the pioneer for ‘redefining what it means to be more human in the digital age’, Kinya Tagawa. The digital age comes with bells and whistles, but how does it impact how we deal with life as human beings, the Japanese design engineer and innovator will unpack this. 

Critically acclaimed South African composer, vocalist, dancer and teacher Nhlanhla Mahlangu, will also grace the festival with his creative vigour and gems.

‘’The institution is all about harnessing a better world through creativity.’’


Ibrahim Mahama, illustrious Ghanian author and artist is one of the festival’s speakers. An alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Mahama will share insights on his process and vision with delegates. 

Treating Design Indaba delegates to heightened wisdom on the intersection between technology and nature, Zimbabwean-born speaker Natsai Audrey Chieza is also one to look out for. The founder and CEO of Faber Future, Chieza is pioneering new models for design and tech. At the base of these models is ecological thinking.  

Among her many accomplishments, Chieza sits on the curatorial team of Ginkgo Bioworks’ Ginkgo Creative Residency in Boston. Hers is an optimistic drive to inspire and punt collective and mission-driven attitude in addressing pertinent issues. 

A comprehensive, full list of speakers is available on the Design Indaba website. The festival will also be simulcast throughout the three days in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban courtyard cafe and NWU Potchefstroom. 

Tickets available at www.webtickets.co.za 

*Images all supplied.

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