Founded by Margot Molyneux in collaboration with Zanele Kumalo and Roland Postma, the aim of Design Week is to celebrate local design, encourage multidisciplinary creative endeavours, inspire collaborations, and play a part in cultivating the next generation of creative leaders. Explore everything from architecture to fashion, ceramics and urban planning with events in Rosebank, 44 Stanley, Melville, Parktown, and beyond.
We've written about how Young Urbanists are reimagining Joburg's city spaces as part of the brilliant Design Week 2024 line-up. Find a few more events we're particularly looking forward to below.
Thu, Oct 10
The programme kicks off on Thursday with a walk through Rosebank's Oxford Parks precinct as part of an ongoing attempt to design without walls.
For book lovers, there will be a presentation by Love Jozi and Johannesburg In Your Pocket at Hallmark House Hotel in New Doornfontein, where design maven Bradley Kirshenbaum will give a talk on the book, I Love You I Hate You.
On Thursday night, Banditz Bicycle Club hosts their weekly Homies Night Ride starting at 44 Stanley to promote alternative modes of transport and safer streets. Also in the vibrant precinct is Studio Bananaaa's launch of The Hat Bag at their new space next to Cycle Boutique.
For tales and eats, there's a storytelling dinner with Masterchef South Africa contestant Tebogo Mabye at Bean There. Also at 44 Stanley, Thursday sees the opening of a collaborative exhibition with interior design firm Acre Studio and art studio KSSO.
Opening at Shepstone Gardens is Objects by Kalashnikovv, an exhibition curated by Kalashnikovv Gallery that showcases a selection of unique works from local artists, designers, and crafters. The launch event is on Thursday night, and the walkabout is on Saturday morning.
Also on the calendar is the launch of Asha Eleven's Spring collection at their store along 4th Avenue, Parkhurst.
Fri, Oct 11
On Friday, you can join an urban renewal minibus tour with Jozi My Jozi to bear witness to some of the amazing regeneration projects currently being undertaken in the Joburg City Centre and surrounds.
Join ceramicist Justin Brett for an open studio at his home studio space in Melville on Friday and Saturday.
At 44 Stanley you can join House and Leisure and The Manor for The Eye panel discussion featuring Trevor Stuurman, Charl Francois Edwards, Nandi Dlepu, Cassandra Twala, and Bielle Bellingham, moderated by Zanele Kumalo.
For budding urban designers and city enthusiasts, there is a street experiment in Rosebank's Bath Avenue that aims to explore creative new ways to create safer streets and increase the walkability of the city.
Sat, Oct 12
For architecture buffs, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation hosts an architecture walk in Northcliff on Saturday, which includes visits to the landmark Northcliff Ridge water tower, several notable heritage and contemporary homes, and a view of the city's Jacaranda-lined streets.
Also on Saturday iconic brand Maxhosa Africa hosts a tour of their factory in Village Deep, while inimitable designer Lezanne Viviers' launches a new collection at Viviers Studio in Parktown.
For a super fun Beads and Beats workshop, join The Herd at David Krut's The Blue House in Parkwood to learn "the secret language of beads" through the Zulu tradition of love-letter making.
44 Stanley's Path Nomad gallery is teaming up with Trov & Topolansky for African Zen, a blend of African craftsmanship and design in a relaxed yet stylish setting.
At 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub in Rosebank, clothing label Romaria and homeware brand TheUrbanative launch their latest product, a beautiful kimono.
All cyclists will be happy to hear Critical Mass Jozi is hosting a daytime cycling event event from Rosebank to 44 Stanley, promoting safer streets for this all-time favourite Joburg pastime.
Sun, Oct 13
The programme winds down on Sunday with a watercolour monotype workshop hosted by Bevan de Wet at Eleven Editions in Ferreirasdorp.
Last but certainly not least, don't miss an walking tour of Brixton's reimagined alleyways with architects and urban designers Mark Schaerer, Clare Chappel, and Thorsten Deckler (starting at Breezeblock Café).
See the full Joburg schedule and book tickets for all Design Week South Africa events here.
The main themes for this year's Design Week – sharing space, growing collaboratively, future archives, and game changing – are ingeniously reflected in this expertly curated programme. To quote Kumalo: "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. 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."
