In recent years, South Africa’s design talent and of course, design economy from furniture makers, fashion houses, film, food and musicians have proved the country is a global force to keep an eye on. With many exciting design weeks around the world cementing their own nation’s design industries (Think Copenhagen’s 3daysofdesign, this week’s London Design Fair, and Helsinki Design Week), Design Week South Africa too gathers exciting and exclusive events happening this October.

Hot off the heels of our own Designer of the Year Awards, we at House & Garden are always on the look out for more celebrations that not only spotlight our talented designers, but bring the public closer to the importance of a design-centred life.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — Join Design Week SA founders Margot Molyneux and Zanele Kumalo for a delicious supper club with Food I Love You, tucked away at the historic Constitution Hill. Image: Supplied.

Mark your calendars, as this inaugural calendar of events and immersive experiences takes place in Johannesburg from 10 – 13 October, and in Cape Town from 24 – 27 October.

“There is a wealth of talent in this country. That is indisputable but what stands on shakier ground are enough of the right opportunities and platforms to support and connect this talent to the right audience and partners,” says Zanele Kumalo, a curator of Design Week South Africa, associate director for Kalashnikovv Gallery and Johannesburg liaison for Soho House Cities Without Houses.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — In the heart of Melville is the quaint studio of ceramicist Justin Brett. Photography by Inge Prins.

Celebrating Johannesburg: A Better City Through Urbanism and Design

Beginning in Johannesburg, the calendar is set to span neighbourhoods that include Parktown North – where iconic South African furniture brand Tonic will be celebrating their 25th birthday, Rosebank – where Mødernist. will be showcasing their debut collection of sofas at True Design, who will also be launching their new range of casegoods, while Origin Art will host a workshop, in collaboration with Artist Proof Studio – both happening at Keyes Art Mile.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — Young Urbanists and Oxford Parks Management District will be hosting a walking tour and insightful talk titled, ‘South Africa’s Future Neighbourhood: Designing for No Walls & Safer Streets’. Image: Supplied.

Young Urbanists and Oxford Parks Management District will be hosting a walking tour and insightful talk with Intaprop, CityCon Africa and dhk architects, themed ‘South Africa’s Future Neighbourhood: Designing for No Walls & Safer Streets’.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — During Design Week South Africa, join Banditz Bicycles, an urban cycling club founded in Soweto. Photography by Hilde Weiler.

Meanwhile, Sandton will see sustainable fashion and accessories brand Sealand Gear activate their SELECT campaign in store, and textile studio Something Good Studio will be collaborating with furniture brand TheUrbanative for their collaborative collection launch, happening at Candice Berman’s 223 Jan Smuts.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — MaXhosa Africa, renowned for their iconic knitwear designs deeply rooted in African heritage, have ventured into a new realm of creativity with their latest collaborations. Image: Supplied.

Neighbourhoods Melville, Braamfontein, Maboneng, Mountain View and Johannesburg city centre will also be on the map, with a studio and factory tour at MAXHOSA, activations at Nandi Dlepu’s Mamakashaka and Friends, a watercolour monotype workshop by Bevan de Wet at Eleven Editions, ‘Objects by Kalashnikovv’ – an exhibition and walkabout held at Latitudes, a collection launch at Lezanne Viviers, and a supper club at Food I Love You at Constitution Hill.

What does it take to curate a platform showcasing the best local talent in our design economy? Savvy partnerships with brands like Yoco, which builds financial tools and solutions for businesses of all sizes and all kinds. They understand and celebrate the crucial role the creative industry plays in the economy and society as a whole. Yoco proudly supports Design Week South Africa, celebrating the many creative entrepreneurs through this platform.

Design Week South Africa, Design Week SA, South African Designers, Johannesburg, Zanele Kumalo, Margot Molyneaux, yoco — Mpho Phalane of Food I Love You wearing another a Contour piece by legendary local design Connade, created by Shelley Mokoena. Image: Supplied.

"What I am most excited about – engaging the different creative communities within Johannesburg and highlighting the city not only as an art-filled destination, but also as a cultural hub with key players in the orange economy,“ says Zanele Kumalo. ”It is a privilege to be involved in a project that is committed to the design industry in particular, with everything that it encompasses – including those small businesses still coming up in the world and brands that continue to stand the test of time.“

Online tickets and registration to these events will be open to the public this Friday, 20 September 2024.