Design Indaba has remained committed over the past 13 years to a vision that rests on the premise that creativity will fuel an economic revolution in South Africa. We are a celebration of design in a country iconic of the triumph of human spirit, proof that even the most intractable problems can be neutralized by the will of people. Design Indaba typifies this optimism and can-do spirit. Starting from the basis of how design can help solve the problems of an emerging country, we take the view that a better future can be designed. Design Indaba is an annual conference that gathers together the world’s brightest talent from across the creative industries. It is one of the few multi-sectoral events that celebrates all the creative sectors – the graphic design, advertising, film, music, fashion design, industrial design, architecture, craft, visual art, new media, publishing, broadcasting and performing arts sectors. Design Indaba has become a well-established and respected institution on the creative landscape.

Our stature has grown internationally, attracting ever-increasing numbers of international delegates. “It’s the greatest design conference in the world”, declared Icon magazine in May 2006, a remarkable accolade for a South African event. In 2005, the Design Indaba Conference was awarded the EIBTM award for Best Conference in the World and, in 2007, won gold at the Loeries for Best Live Event. Focusing on bringing international thought leadership into South Africa since 1995, the Design Indaba Conference now hosts more than 40 speakers and 2500 delegates. In turn encouraging local creativity to go global, the Design Indaba Expo has provided a commercial platform for South African designers to showcase local goods and services to the global market through influential international buyers since 2004. Besides the flagship conference and expo, Design Indaba has expanded into a multitiered experience that incorporates other events, media, education, training and business development