Designing South Africa was a multifaceted project produced by The City from 2010 until 2014. It was created to facilitate a design-led dialogue around the 2010 World Cup and the significant city-making and design efforts that formed around the mega event and the nation’s democracy.
Designing South Africa evolved into a highly respected advocacy group for the proliferation of design thinking in nation building. It explored ways in which good design may create better cities in South Africa: from designing education to designing healthcare.
The project was made up of a network of architects, designers, artists, urbanists, policy makers and the media and provided a tool to engage and connect policy makers, professionals and the public through seminars, workshops, exhibitions, publications and online and media resources.
By 2013, Designing South Africa had become a global brand with significant local and international influence. It was clear to its director, Zahira Asmal, that the scope and mission of Designing South Africa was significant and far-reaching. The programme had exceeded initial ambitions and so a public benefit organisation, Designing For All, was registered to continue the work that the Designing South Africa project had initiated.