These programmes, held during Semester 1 (February to May) and Semester 2 (August to October), brought together students from diverse disciplines to tackle real-world challenges through a human-centred, collaborative approach. Partnering with the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), the programme emphasised the importance of fostering innovation in uniquely African contexts.
Here, we recap the highlights, focus, and outcomes of these dynamic weeks of discovery and creativity.
The first semester of the Foundation Programme in 2024 focused on enhancing the registration and onboarding experience for tourist guides. This challenge was posed by DEDAT, which manages the regulation and development of the tourism sector in the Western Cape. Their primary aim was to address barriers to digital literacy and create accessible processes for both new and renewing tourist guides.
How might we redesign the registration and onboarding experience to be more accessible for unregistered and renewing tourist guides in a world where digital registration provides easy access to valuable resources but feels inaccessible to those with limited digital literacy?
As part of their immersion, students collaborated with RETZA Classic Enfield Tours and Rentals, a local tourism company that champions adventure and cultural discovery. This experience provided a tangible context for understanding the needs and challenges faced by tourist guides.
One participant reflected, "Being human-centred and thinking for the end-user and environment is at the heart of design thinking."
These solutions demonstrated the students’ ability to apply design thinking principles to create user-friendly, impactful innovations addressing systemic barriers.
The second semester of the Foundation Programme in 2024 focused on supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in navigating a challenging economic landscape. Once again partnering with DEDAT, the challenge aimed to leverage innovation networks to unlock growth opportunities for SMMEs, ensuring their sustainability and competitiveness.
How might we leverage innovation-fostering support networks for SMMEs to unlock new growth opportunities, overcome market stagnation, and ensure long-term sustainability in a rapidly evolving economic landscape?
How might we leverage innovation-fostering support networks for SMMEs to unlock new growth opportunities, overcome market stagnation, and ensure long-term sustainability in a rapidly evolving economic landscape?
One student shared, "Embracing diversity is one aspect of teamwork that stood out for me. I grasped that teamwork thrives when everyone brings different perspectives."
These solutions exemplify the ability of design thinking to address systemic challenges and promote economic growth through innovation.
As one student remarked, "Many times, I want to rush things, but I learned to let the process run and learn from it."
Central to the success of these weeks was the diversity of the participating students, who came from various disciplines and institutions across South Africa. Working in multidisciplinary teams fostered a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, enabling students to develop creative, well-rounded solutions. Alumni reflections underscored the value of collaboration, humility, and embracing different mindsets; qualities that are crucial for tackling the complex challenges of today’s world.
The d-school Afrika’s commitment to reimagining design thinking within an African context was evident throughout both programmes. The ethos of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, served as a guiding principle, inspiring solutions that prioritised community well-being and collaboration over individual gain. By embedding this perspective into the design thinking process, the d-school Afrika is equipping future leaders with the tools and mindsets to create sustainable, inclusive outcomes for the continent and beyond.
The 2024 Foundation Programme at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika not only showcased the transformative potential of design thinking but also underscored the importance of adaptability, empathy, and collaboration in solving complex challenges. These events reaffirmed the d-school’s position as a leading institution for design-led innovation in Africa.
As we look to the future, the lessons and solutions generated during these weeks will continue to inspire new ways of thinking and acting. The d-school Afrika remains committed to empowering individuals and organisations to navigate the tides of uncertainty, creating brighter futures for Africa and the world.
Copyright 2024 Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika*