Woolworths Chairman, Simon Susman opened the 11th Design Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) today by hailing South Africa’s creative spirit.

He said the success of the conference reflects the vision of the local design community.  “The founders of Design Indaba conceived this conference at the dawn of our democracy in all that exciting turmoil in those days. Despite the odds. They knew we could rise to the occasion, as a city and a country.”

“And the success of Design Indaba has helped to place Cape Town on the world design map. As a company born in the Cape and a community of designers we celebrate that in this, our 20th year of democracy, we are the World Design Capital.”

He called on designers to embrace the core values of our democracy, to help the South Africa secure a sustainable future.

The values of the new South Africa he said had inspired Woolworths to do business differently. “In Woolies our own good business journey – a way of doing business in a far more sustainable manner.”

Susman added “We do so much differently. We’re not just looking at how we can find creative solutions for our business, but also how we can shape the world around us. We are very proud to have collaborated with Design Indaba to create the first resource guides for art and design teachers at South African high schools and then presenting them as a gift to the National Education Department.  You’ll be able to see some of the remarkable work of high school leaners who are part of this Making the Difference Through Design  programme when you visit the stand at the Expo.”