The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) in partnership with the South African Bureau of Standard (SABS) Design Institute and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will host a design workshop on 11-12 March 2014 at the SABS in Groenkloof, Pretoria. The purpose of the workshop is to deliberate on innovative ways to marshal the sector to contribute meaningfully towards economic growth in South Africa.

The initiative is a response to the needs identified by the sector amongst others, the lack of information by the government on the capability of the sector in contributing meaningfully towards driving job creation and economic growth. This is envisaged to be achieved by government driving business in the sector through implementation of national programmes and policies, development of national design resources and its effective use.

The workshop is part of the consultative process to get design stakeholders under one roof, to discuss key issues towards the development of the National Design Strategy and a National Design Policy for South Africa. Consequently, get commitment from the design sectors to support the National Design Policy development process. In addition, the programme will look at appropriate indicators for the application of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) measures that could evaluate the impact of design on society in the areas of economic independence and contribution, economic needs and social sustainability. Further, to consult on ‘good practice’ measures to regulate the design industry.

The workshop outcome will be the establishment of a National Design Policy Working Committee to assist in guiding the development of a National Design process.  It is envisaged that this process will contribute towards participation at the World Design Capital Design Policy Conference scheduled for the 22 and 23 October 2014. The production of a National Design Policy brief that will come out of the discussions will provide recommendations to Parliament and the development of a National Design Policy framework to steer implementation.

The DAC will continue to support initiatives geared towards the development of the creative sector through the Mzansi Golden Economy Strategy.                

Members of the media are invited

The workshop is scheduled as follows:

Date    :           11 -12 March 2014                                                                                               

Time    :           08:00                                                                                                         

Venue  :           SABS conference venue, Groenkloof, Pretoria

Enquiries: Mogomotsi Mogodiri: MogomotsiM@dac.gov.za, 071 687 4984