| 10:30 | Bielle Bellingham |
| 12:00 | Steve Smith with Bianca Shapiro, Tashma Kritzinger, James Beattie and Jasper Eales |
13:00 |
SAMSUNG |
| 14:00 | Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis together with Roland Postma, Sindile Mavundla, Jacques van Embden and Benjamin Kollenberg |
Thursday 6 June 2024
Friday 7 June 2024
| 11:00 | Anja Joubert |
| 12:00 | Crystal Birch |
| 13:00 | Gavin Mikey Collins, Sindiso Khumalo and Sumendra Chetty |
| 14:00 | Megan Noel, Tshepo Sealetsa, Walter Train, Tanisha Neill and Mpho Vackier |
| 15:00 | Megan Hesse |
| 15:30 | Bielle Bellingham |
Saturday 8 June 2024
| 11:00 | Kara Furter, Charl Edwards, Renee Rossouw and Lucie De Moyencourt |
| 12:00 | Steve Smith, Adriaan Louw, Andrea Kleinloog, Candice Lawrence and Bonolo Chepape |
| 13:00 | Leanne Porter |
| 14:00 | Jackie May, Stella Hertantyo, Anita Hlazo and Kiera Crowe Pettersson |
| 15:00 | Denislav Marinov |
| 16:00 | Bathandwa Ngwendu, Duncan MacLennan, Haneem Christian, Ziyaad Samsodien, Mikhailia Petersen, Dada Khanyisa, Jakob Lipman and Imran Mohamed |
Sunday 9 June 2024
| 11:00 | Laduma Ngxokolo and Bathandwa Ngwendu |
| 12:00 | Frans Dekker |
| 13:00 | Sumendra Chetty and Cyril Naicker |
| 14:00 | Heath Nash |
| 15:00 | Esethu Cenga |
Talks schedule is subject to change
FUTURE TALKS RETURN TO THE DECOREX STAGE WITH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY VISIONARY BATHANDWA NGWENDU AS MC FOR A HOST OF INSPIRING SPEAKERS
in partnership with VISI
Visionary, storyteller and director Bathandwa Ngwendu has been announced as the MC of Future Talks – a pioneering series of talks about the most pressing topics facing the design industry featuring industry leaders and innovators.
Future Talks is a two-part series at this year’s Decorex Cape Town as part of the Future of Design showcase at the CTICC between 6 and 9 June 2024, and at Decorex Joburg at the Sandton Convention Centre from 1 to 4 August 2024. The series, of which selected talks will be CPD-accredited, stands as a beacon for thought-leaders, innovators and change-makers, offering insights and starting discussions that aim to influence and accelerate positive change in our rapidly evolving global landscape.
Ngwendu has been named as MC for the second consecutive year. Hailing from Khayelitsha and raised in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, he brings a deep understanding of the South African creative landscape to the stage. As the creator and host of the Maak ‘n Plan podcast, he has distinguished himself by engaging audiences with content that resonates deeply, serving as an incubator of ideas and providing insight into arts and culture in South Africa.
Also known by his moniker Gorgeous Bushman, Ngwendu emphasises the importance of transdisciplinary co-creation and collaboration as the single most critical action designers can take to foster a more sustainable and circular future. ‘It's crucial for designers to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds,’ he comments. ‘Strengthening connections between self-taught and formally educated designers can lead to significant breakthroughs in sustainability.’
Future Talks will not only serve as a platform for collaboration, but also for exploring a range of critical subjects, from sustainability and circularity – addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices – to the expansive realms of the digital universe, including the metaverse where technology reshapes perceptions and interactions.
It's crucial for designers to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strengthening connections between self-taught and formally educated designers can lead to significant breakthroughs in sustainability.
In Cape Town, the four-day series will begin on Thursday, 6 June at the Future Talks stage with an opening keynote presentation on the importance of design in shaping the future. This will be followed by four talks on interior design trends, sustainable design, technology, African design perspectives and more.
Friday’s fascinating lineup includes talks about design entrepreneurship, design thinking for innovation and design ethics, among others. Saturday is set to tackle the theme of sustainability.
The final day of Future Talks, themed Design for Change, will tackle topics such as design activism and how design can be a catalyst for social and environmental change, and exploring how design can promote inclusivity and accessibility in built environments in designing inclusive spaces. Decorex Joburg will see its own exciting lineup of topics and speakers gracing the stage in the same four-day format.
Attendees will walk away from Future Talks 2024 with what Ngwendu hopes will be an open mind, an open heart and an eagerness to learn and share. The lineup for Future Talks Cape Town includes Megan Hesse from HesseKleinloog and Anatomy Design, who will present the latest trends in interior design, illustrating how modern aesthetics continue to evolve and influence living spaces.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will host the Urban Design & Mobility Forum, ‘Designing For Impact Beyond Private Spaces’, in collaboration with Young Urbanists NPC, Urban-Think Tank Empower, and Safe Passage Programme. This session will mark the first public iteration of this forum, aiming to foster collaboration across government, private sector, academia, youth, and the public to address urban challenges. The workshop will explore the role of design in enhancing public-private partnerships, focusing on placemaking, tactical urbanism, and building inclusive, equitable cities.
Frans Dekker will discuss the intricacies of building plan approval, clarifying the differences between acts, regulations, and national standards, and what professionals need to know to navigate this complex landscape.
Anja Joubert is set to unveil the ‘2024 Future Materials’ report, providing a glimpse into innovative materials that are shaping the future of design.
Crystal Birch, a successful design entrepreneur, will share insights into launching and managing a successful design business in today's competitive market.
Leanne Porter will address designing communities of care, focusing on tackling homelessness by creating supportive ecosystems that go beyond mere housing.
Magazine editor Steve Smith will delve into circular design, discussing sustainable practices and the future of design sustainability.
These are just a few of the thought-provoking, mind-bending presenters who’ll be sharing their insights at the event. The Future Talks are free to attend with general admission tickets to the show, which are valid for one day. Pre-registration is required as the talks will have limited space – so be sure to plan your visit in advance via the dedicated Decorex app which will have all the information you need as well as live updates. The app will be live on the App Store and Google Play from 6 May 2024 – don’t miss a beat!
General admission tickets cost R10 less if you buy online ahead of time instead of at the door, and the first 2 000 people who purchase a ticket online will receive a 10% discount voucher for Samsung.com.
Secure your spot for the incredible Future Talks lineup
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