Nov 5 &
7
Nov 5 &
7
Johannesburg, ZA
Johannesburg, ZA
UXSA '24 Conference
UXSA '24 Conference



2024 Conference Theme
2024 Conference Theme
2024 Conference Theme
UXSA's 10th anniversary
This November, we're teaming up with FEDSA to bring you an unforgettable event! UX South Africa 2024 is not just about celebrating a decade of success but also about blazing new trails in the African UX landscape. Join us for an exciting journey filled with inspiring talks, dynamic knowledge sharing, and a chance to connect with the vibrant local UX community. Don't miss your chance to be part of this milestone event!
What You’ll Experience
What You’ll Experience
What You’ll Experience
South Africa's Top UX voices
South Africa's Top UX voices
South Africa's Top UX voices
10+ Keynotes & talks
10+ Keynotes & talks
10+ Keynotes & talks
Breakfast & lunch
Breakfast & lunch
Breakfast & lunch
300 other attendees
300 other attendees
300 other attendees
3 Workshops for skill building
3 Workshops for skill building
3 Workshops for skill building
Who attends
Who attends
Who attends
Made for Future Product People.
UI, UX & Product Designers
Crafting better journeys, interfaces, and services; rooted in real user needs.
UI, UX & Product Designers
Crafting better journeys, interfaces, and services; rooted in real user needs.
UI, UX & Product Designers
Crafting better journeys, interfaces, and services; rooted in real user needs.
Product Leaders
Turning customer insight into decisions, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
Product Leaders
Turning customer insight into decisions, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
Product Leaders
Turning customer insight into decisions, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
Developers & Delivery Partners
Collaborating across design and engineering to ship experiences that actually work.
Developers & Delivery Partners
Collaborating across design and engineering to ship experiences that actually work.
Developers & Delivery Partners
Collaborating across design and engineering to ship experiences that actually work.
Service Designers
Connecting research, business context, and service thinking to shape experiences.
Service Designers
Connecting research, business context, and service thinking to shape experiences.
Service Designers
Connecting research, business context, and service thinking to shape experiences.
Design Leaders & Executives
Building teams, setting direction, and growing UX maturity inside organisations
Design Leaders & Executives
Building teams, setting direction, and growing UX maturity inside organisations
Design Leaders & Executives
Building teams, setting direction, and growing UX maturity inside organisations
Students & Educators
Learning from local practitioners, strengthening craft, and bridging study to industry.
Students & Educators
Learning from local practitioners, strengthening craft, and bridging study to industry.
Students & Educators
Learning from local practitioners, strengthening craft, and bridging study to industry.
Speakers
Speakers
Speakers
Speakers of 2024
Speakers of 2024
Speakers of 2024
Leaders, designers, and technologists
defining the future of intelligent creativity.

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.

Speaker
Ebie Swart
Design Lead at DVT | Design System Manager

Speaker
Chantelle Withfield
Lead UX designer

Speaker
Brandon Tancott
Founder, Business Operator & Strategic Advisor

Speaker
Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead

Speaker
Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design

Speaker
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist

Speaker
Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor

Speaker
Kayembe Giles Ilunga
TEDx Speaker | FinTech Executive | Digital & Data Analytics Professional & Lecturer | Social Entrepreneur and Activist.
From sunrise to night ideas here’s
what’s happening at Reunion.
Day 1
Day 1
08:00 - 12:00

Kudakwashe Sachirarwe
UX/UI Designer | Product & Brand Design Specialist
Managing User Experience Strategy
To create a memorable user experience, match company objectives with consumer requirements. Discover how to develop a clear vision, put design ideas into practice, and drive UX strategically. Discover new information, enhance user experiences, and promote a customer-centric culture. Gain a competitive advantage in the digital market by realizing the potential of a user-centric approach.
08:00 - 12:00

Kudakwashe Sachirarwe
UX/UI Designer | Product & Brand Design Specialist
Managing User Experience Strategy
To create a memorable user experience, match company objectives with consumer requirements. Discover how to develop a clear vision, put design ideas into practice, and drive UX strategically. Discover new information, enhance user experiences, and promote a customer-centric culture. Gain a competitive advantage in the digital market by realizing the potential of a user-centric approach.
08:00 - 12:00

Kudakwashe Sachirarwe
UX/UI Designer | Product & Brand Design Specialist
Managing User Experience Strategy
To create a memorable user experience, match company objectives with consumer requirements. Discover how to develop a clear vision, put design ideas into practice, and drive UX strategically. Discover new information, enhance user experiences, and promote a customer-centric culture. Gain a competitive advantage in the digital market by realizing the potential of a user-centric approach.
08:00 - 12:00

Schalk Neethling
Senior Frontend Engineer
An Accessible Web: Design, Code, And the Web Platform
Take a journey with me through the process of creating a web page using some commonly encountered components. During our journey, we will talk about user expectations, making and keeping promises, the curb-cut effect, considerations during design, the importance of collaboration and communication between designers and developers, and why HTML and CSS are your strongest allies.
08:00 - 12:00

Schalk Neethling
Senior Frontend Engineer
An Accessible Web: Design, Code, And the Web Platform
Take a journey with me through the process of creating a web page using some commonly encountered components. During our journey, we will talk about user expectations, making and keeping promises, the curb-cut effect, considerations during design, the importance of collaboration and communication between designers and developers, and why HTML and CSS are your strongest allies.
08:00 - 12:00

Schalk Neethling
Senior Frontend Engineer
An Accessible Web: Design, Code, And the Web Platform
Take a journey with me through the process of creating a web page using some commonly encountered components. During our journey, we will talk about user expectations, making and keeping promises, the curb-cut effect, considerations during design, the importance of collaboration and communication between designers and developers, and why HTML and CSS are your strongest allies.
13:00 - 15:00

Varima Henry
Independent
Get from Idea to product in just 8 weeks
In this hands-on, fast-paced program, you'll leverage cutting-edge AI tools and no-code platforms to rapidly develop and launch your product. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a product manager looking to upskill, or an innovator within your organization, this workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to bring products to market at lightning speed. What You'll Learn: - Validate your ideas using design thinking and AI-powered tools - Conduct efficient user research to refine your product concept - Create compelling prototypes without writing a single line of code - Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) using the latest no-code platforms - Launch and market your product effectively Why This Workshop? - Hands-on Experience: Apply each concept directly to your own product idea - Cutting-Edge Tools: Get familiar with the latest AI and no-code technologies - Rapid Results: Go from concept to launched product in just 8 weeks - Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced product developers and entrepreneurs - Networking: Connect with like-minded innovators and potential collaborators
13:00 - 15:00

Varima Henry
Independent
Get from Idea to product in just 8 weeks
In this hands-on, fast-paced program, you'll leverage cutting-edge AI tools and no-code platforms to rapidly develop and launch your product. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a product manager looking to upskill, or an innovator within your organization, this workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to bring products to market at lightning speed. What You'll Learn: - Validate your ideas using design thinking and AI-powered tools - Conduct efficient user research to refine your product concept - Create compelling prototypes without writing a single line of code - Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) using the latest no-code platforms - Launch and market your product effectively Why This Workshop? - Hands-on Experience: Apply each concept directly to your own product idea - Cutting-Edge Tools: Get familiar with the latest AI and no-code technologies - Rapid Results: Go from concept to launched product in just 8 weeks - Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced product developers and entrepreneurs - Networking: Connect with like-minded innovators and potential collaborators
13:00 - 15:00

Varima Henry
Independent
Get from Idea to product in just 8 weeks
In this hands-on, fast-paced program, you'll leverage cutting-edge AI tools and no-code platforms to rapidly develop and launch your product. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a product manager looking to upskill, or an innovator within your organization, this workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to bring products to market at lightning speed. What You'll Learn: - Validate your ideas using design thinking and AI-powered tools - Conduct efficient user research to refine your product concept - Create compelling prototypes without writing a single line of code - Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) using the latest no-code platforms - Launch and market your product effectively Why This Workshop? - Hands-on Experience: Apply each concept directly to your own product idea - Cutting-Edge Tools: Get familiar with the latest AI and no-code technologies - Rapid Results: Go from concept to launched product in just 8 weeks - Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced product developers and entrepreneurs - Networking: Connect with like-minded innovators and potential collaborators
13:00 - 17:00

Schalk Venter
Product Design Lead | Lecturer Consultant
Everyday Form Footguns
With the advent of Web 2.0 nearly three decades ago, our collective digital experience shifted from one that mimicked the static media of old to one grounded in co-creation, configuration, and curation. Over time, there has been an explosion of novel and exploratory ways in which users can interact with this new digital world. However, when looking at the beating heart of our daily interactions with these landscapes, we still find the ubiquitous digital form—whether we are searching Google, sending a message on WhatsApp, leaving a comment on LinkedIn, filtering shows on Netflix, sharing a file on Google Drive, making a purchase on Takealot, creating an account on Figma, doing SARS e-filing, or even registering for a workshop. Yet, this critical role played by forms, mixed with their deceptive simplicity at face value, leads to a perfect storm of what Heydon Pickering calls a "10,000-volt electromagnet for attracting usability problems." In this workshop, we will explore real-world product, business, and usability considerations to keep in mind when thinking about form structure and behavior. We will also look at how you can make a case for spending additional resources on forms within your team and address some common anti-patterns that can be easily avoided.
13:00 - 17:00

Schalk Venter
Product Design Lead | Lecturer Consultant
Everyday Form Footguns
With the advent of Web 2.0 nearly three decades ago, our collective digital experience shifted from one that mimicked the static media of old to one grounded in co-creation, configuration, and curation. Over time, there has been an explosion of novel and exploratory ways in which users can interact with this new digital world. However, when looking at the beating heart of our daily interactions with these landscapes, we still find the ubiquitous digital form—whether we are searching Google, sending a message on WhatsApp, leaving a comment on LinkedIn, filtering shows on Netflix, sharing a file on Google Drive, making a purchase on Takealot, creating an account on Figma, doing SARS e-filing, or even registering for a workshop. Yet, this critical role played by forms, mixed with their deceptive simplicity at face value, leads to a perfect storm of what Heydon Pickering calls a "10,000-volt electromagnet for attracting usability problems." In this workshop, we will explore real-world product, business, and usability considerations to keep in mind when thinking about form structure and behavior. We will also look at how you can make a case for spending additional resources on forms within your team and address some common anti-patterns that can be easily avoided.
13:00 - 17:00

Schalk Venter
Product Design Lead | Lecturer Consultant
Everyday Form Footguns
With the advent of Web 2.0 nearly three decades ago, our collective digital experience shifted from one that mimicked the static media of old to one grounded in co-creation, configuration, and curation. Over time, there has been an explosion of novel and exploratory ways in which users can interact with this new digital world. However, when looking at the beating heart of our daily interactions with these landscapes, we still find the ubiquitous digital form—whether we are searching Google, sending a message on WhatsApp, leaving a comment on LinkedIn, filtering shows on Netflix, sharing a file on Google Drive, making a purchase on Takealot, creating an account on Figma, doing SARS e-filing, or even registering for a workshop. Yet, this critical role played by forms, mixed with their deceptive simplicity at face value, leads to a perfect storm of what Heydon Pickering calls a "10,000-volt electromagnet for attracting usability problems." In this workshop, we will explore real-world product, business, and usability considerations to keep in mind when thinking about form structure and behavior. We will also look at how you can make a case for spending additional resources on forms within your team and address some common anti-patterns that can be easily avoided.
Day 2
Day 2
09:00 - 09:05

Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist
The business value of design
From small-scale start-ups to large corporate entities, we'll unpack how to leverage design to better contribute to your business' bottom line, and better understand the role design plays in the success of today’s business landscape, and in building the brands of the future
09:00 - 09:05

Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist
The business value of design
From small-scale start-ups to large corporate entities, we'll unpack how to leverage design to better contribute to your business' bottom line, and better understand the role design plays in the success of today’s business landscape, and in building the brands of the future
09:00 - 09:05

Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | User Experience Specialist
The business value of design
From small-scale start-ups to large corporate entities, we'll unpack how to leverage design to better contribute to your business' bottom line, and better understand the role design plays in the success of today’s business landscape, and in building the brands of the future
10:00 - 10:25

Michael Marais
Senior Specialist - User Experience Designer
The UX Taskmaster
In this presentation, I will explain how a well-designed UX process can help guide users toward achieving the business's objectives. By becoming a "Taskmaster," I can assign tasks to various individuals and analyze the outcomes based on their backgrounds and experiences. When a well-design task is set out we can control the process and outcome.
10:00 - 10:25

Michael Marais
Senior Specialist - User Experience Designer
The UX Taskmaster
In this presentation, I will explain how a well-designed UX process can help guide users toward achieving the business's objectives. By becoming a "Taskmaster," I can assign tasks to various individuals and analyze the outcomes based on their backgrounds and experiences. When a well-design task is set out we can control the process and outcome.
10:00 - 10:25

Michael Marais
Senior Specialist - User Experience Designer
The UX Taskmaster
In this presentation, I will explain how a well-designed UX process can help guide users toward achieving the business's objectives. By becoming a "Taskmaster," I can assign tasks to various individuals and analyze the outcomes based on their backgrounds and experiences. When a well-design task is set out we can control the process and outcome.
11:00 - 11:25

Stephanie de Beer
Lead UX turned Product Owner
What Coffee has taught me about Design
11:00 - 11:25

Stephanie de Beer
Lead UX turned Product Owner
What Coffee has taught me about Design
11:00 - 11:25

Stephanie de Beer
Lead UX turned Product Owner
What Coffee has taught me about Design
13:00 - 13:25

Mika O'Donovan
Lead Digital Product Designer
Everyday Design Thinking
This topic explores how you can use Design Thinking, a methodology that we mostly use in UX and Product Design, applied to other areas of your life - such as time management, health & fitness, personal finance, relationships or learning new skills. By going through the empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test and iteration phases of the Design Thinking framework, you can apply it to solving almost any area in your life - not just UX problems specifically. Here's an example by Chat: Time Management: Empathize: Identify when you feel most productive and when you struggle. Define: Recognise that you have trouble managing time in the mornings and formulate the problem statement. Ideate: Brainstorm routines or tools that could help, like setting a regular wake-up time, using time-blocking techniques, or a productivity app. Prototype: Start with a new morning routine for a week. Test: Track your productivity and feelings throughout the week. Iterate: Adjust the routine based on what worked and what didn't. Health and Fitness: Empathize: Understand your motivations and barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Define: Pinpoint the specific challenge, such as not finding time to exercise. Ideate: Think of various ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, like short workouts, walking meetings, or biking to work. Prototype: Try a few different methods over a month. Test: Observe which methods fit best into your schedule and make you feel better. Iterate: Continuously tweak your exercise routine to improve adherence and enjoyment.
13:00 - 13:25

Mika O'Donovan
Lead Digital Product Designer
Everyday Design Thinking
This topic explores how you can use Design Thinking, a methodology that we mostly use in UX and Product Design, applied to other areas of your life - such as time management, health & fitness, personal finance, relationships or learning new skills. By going through the empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test and iteration phases of the Design Thinking framework, you can apply it to solving almost any area in your life - not just UX problems specifically. Here's an example by Chat: Time Management: Empathize: Identify when you feel most productive and when you struggle. Define: Recognise that you have trouble managing time in the mornings and formulate the problem statement. Ideate: Brainstorm routines or tools that could help, like setting a regular wake-up time, using time-blocking techniques, or a productivity app. Prototype: Start with a new morning routine for a week. Test: Track your productivity and feelings throughout the week. Iterate: Adjust the routine based on what worked and what didn't. Health and Fitness: Empathize: Understand your motivations and barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Define: Pinpoint the specific challenge, such as not finding time to exercise. Ideate: Think of various ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, like short workouts, walking meetings, or biking to work. Prototype: Try a few different methods over a month. Test: Observe which methods fit best into your schedule and make you feel better. Iterate: Continuously tweak your exercise routine to improve adherence and enjoyment.
13:00 - 13:25

Mika O'Donovan
Lead Digital Product Designer
Everyday Design Thinking
This topic explores how you can use Design Thinking, a methodology that we mostly use in UX and Product Design, applied to other areas of your life - such as time management, health & fitness, personal finance, relationships or learning new skills. By going through the empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test and iteration phases of the Design Thinking framework, you can apply it to solving almost any area in your life - not just UX problems specifically. Here's an example by Chat: Time Management: Empathize: Identify when you feel most productive and when you struggle. Define: Recognise that you have trouble managing time in the mornings and formulate the problem statement. Ideate: Brainstorm routines or tools that could help, like setting a regular wake-up time, using time-blocking techniques, or a productivity app. Prototype: Start with a new morning routine for a week. Test: Track your productivity and feelings throughout the week. Iterate: Adjust the routine based on what worked and what didn't. Health and Fitness: Empathize: Understand your motivations and barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Define: Pinpoint the specific challenge, such as not finding time to exercise. Ideate: Think of various ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, like short workouts, walking meetings, or biking to work. Prototype: Try a few different methods over a month. Test: Observe which methods fit best into your schedule and make you feel better. Iterate: Continuously tweak your exercise routine to improve adherence and enjoyment.
13:35 - 14:00

Chantel Botha
Independent
Bringing User Voices to the Table: Research-Driven Decision Making in Complex Organizations
13:35 - 14:00

Chantel Botha
Independent
Bringing User Voices to the Table: Research-Driven Decision Making in Complex Organizations
13:35 - 14:00

Chantel Botha
Independent
Bringing User Voices to the Table: Research-Driven Decision Making in Complex Organizations
Day 3
Day 3
09:05 - 09:50

Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design
From Idea to Market: The ChatWallet Design Story
"Once upon a time, the Absa design office was a mere five people sitting around a table designing and building a mobile banking app. Today, we are 163 people strong with skills spanning UX and UI design, service design, content writing, strategy and engineering. We build sticky products that our customers love and we deliver real business impact while doing so. We are a level five maturity design team in an organisation that embraces design and all it delivers for the business and its customers. And, there is no greater proof of this than the story of Absa's most innovative new digital product, ChatWallet. ChatWallet began as a 2am big, hairy, audacious idea to solve for financial inclusion in Africa. But, on what planet could we integrate our core banking systems with WhatsApp and deliver full financial services to customers without them ever having to touch a core banking channel?! Planet Absa, I will tell you. We were naive, but that naivety gave us the courage needed to pursue this wild idea unhindered. A truly design-led idea and innovation, ChatWallet went from a very rapid prototype to a fully mobilised product with monetary and executive investment. Today, ChatWallet is Absa's answer to the question of financial inclusion and in just four short months since market launch, ChatWallet has resulted in a digital sales uplift of 144%. ChatWallet empowers Africans. Customers can get a mobile wallet to safely store their hard-earned money and with no monthly fees, in under one minute and then bank anytime, all on the app they already use and love every day, WhatsApp. The story of how we got here is one of courage and perseverance, and I would love to tell it at UXSA. "
09:05 - 09:50

Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design
From Idea to Market: The ChatWallet Design Story
"Once upon a time, the Absa design office was a mere five people sitting around a table designing and building a mobile banking app. Today, we are 163 people strong with skills spanning UX and UI design, service design, content writing, strategy and engineering. We build sticky products that our customers love and we deliver real business impact while doing so. We are a level five maturity design team in an organisation that embraces design and all it delivers for the business and its customers. And, there is no greater proof of this than the story of Absa's most innovative new digital product, ChatWallet. ChatWallet began as a 2am big, hairy, audacious idea to solve for financial inclusion in Africa. But, on what planet could we integrate our core banking systems with WhatsApp and deliver full financial services to customers without them ever having to touch a core banking channel?! Planet Absa, I will tell you. We were naive, but that naivety gave us the courage needed to pursue this wild idea unhindered. A truly design-led idea and innovation, ChatWallet went from a very rapid prototype to a fully mobilised product with monetary and executive investment. Today, ChatWallet is Absa's answer to the question of financial inclusion and in just four short months since market launch, ChatWallet has resulted in a digital sales uplift of 144%. ChatWallet empowers Africans. Customers can get a mobile wallet to safely store their hard-earned money and with no monthly fees, in under one minute and then bank anytime, all on the app they already use and love every day, WhatsApp. The story of how we got here is one of courage and perseverance, and I would love to tell it at UXSA. "
09:05 - 09:50

Sivan Lapidus
Head of Design | Product and Service Design
From Idea to Market: The ChatWallet Design Story
"Once upon a time, the Absa design office was a mere five people sitting around a table designing and building a mobile banking app. Today, we are 163 people strong with skills spanning UX and UI design, service design, content writing, strategy and engineering. We build sticky products that our customers love and we deliver real business impact while doing so. We are a level five maturity design team in an organisation that embraces design and all it delivers for the business and its customers. And, there is no greater proof of this than the story of Absa's most innovative new digital product, ChatWallet. ChatWallet began as a 2am big, hairy, audacious idea to solve for financial inclusion in Africa. But, on what planet could we integrate our core banking systems with WhatsApp and deliver full financial services to customers without them ever having to touch a core banking channel?! Planet Absa, I will tell you. We were naive, but that naivety gave us the courage needed to pursue this wild idea unhindered. A truly design-led idea and innovation, ChatWallet went from a very rapid prototype to a fully mobilised product with monetary and executive investment. Today, ChatWallet is Absa's answer to the question of financial inclusion and in just four short months since market launch, ChatWallet has resulted in a digital sales uplift of 144%. ChatWallet empowers Africans. Customers can get a mobile wallet to safely store their hard-earned money and with no monthly fees, in under one minute and then bank anytime, all on the app they already use and love every day, WhatsApp. The story of how we got here is one of courage and perseverance, and I would love to tell it at UXSA. "
10:00 - 10:25

Alfi Oloo
Designer | Mentor | Speaker
Adapting to Change: A Designer's Guide to Surviving the AI Wave
An autobiographical talk sharing my experiences of expanding my professional journey from design into mentorship, right before the AI wave transformed our industry. Learn how to react and adapt to extreme changes without feeling overwhelmed, with practical insights and strategies.
10:00 - 10:25

Alfi Oloo
Designer | Mentor | Speaker
Adapting to Change: A Designer's Guide to Surviving the AI Wave
An autobiographical talk sharing my experiences of expanding my professional journey from design into mentorship, right before the AI wave transformed our industry. Learn how to react and adapt to extreme changes without feeling overwhelmed, with practical insights and strategies.
10:00 - 10:25

Alfi Oloo
Designer | Mentor | Speaker
Adapting to Change: A Designer's Guide to Surviving the AI Wave
An autobiographical talk sharing my experiences of expanding my professional journey from design into mentorship, right before the AI wave transformed our industry. Learn how to react and adapt to extreme changes without feeling overwhelmed, with practical insights and strategies.
11:00 - 11:25

Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor
Researching designers: what we do and don't know about women in the workplace
11:00 - 11:25

Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor
Researching designers: what we do and don't know about women in the workplace
11:00 - 11:25

Kate van Niekerk
Freelance Design Strategist, Researcher & Editor
Researching designers: what we do and don't know about women in the workplace
11:35 - 12:00

Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead
We need to talk about talking about accessibility
Discussions on accessibility are quite popular these days. Despite its importance and the effort involved, accessibility issues persist, with lawsuits doubling over six years. The problem may lie in how we discuss accessibility and our lack of effective tools to address it.
11:35 - 12:00

Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead
We need to talk about talking about accessibility
Discussions on accessibility are quite popular these days. Despite its importance and the effort involved, accessibility issues persist, with lawsuits doubling over six years. The problem may lie in how we discuss accessibility and our lack of effective tools to address it.
11:35 - 12:00

Barend Chamberlain
Design Lead
We need to talk about talking about accessibility
Discussions on accessibility are quite popular these days. Despite its importance and the effort involved, accessibility issues persist, with lawsuits doubling over six years. The problem may lie in how we discuss accessibility and our lack of effective tools to address it.
13:35 - 14:00

Nadia Naidoo
Independent
DuoLingo for Wellness
Embarking on a playful but powerful journey to craft a wellbeing app that aims to democratise and simplify our overall wellness. Imagine Duolingo, but for health. Join me as I step you through how we're crafting a fun, engaging, and impactful wellness experience from concept to launch
13:35 - 14:00

Nadia Naidoo
Independent
DuoLingo for Wellness
Embarking on a playful but powerful journey to craft a wellbeing app that aims to democratise and simplify our overall wellness. Imagine Duolingo, but for health. Join me as I step you through how we're crafting a fun, engaging, and impactful wellness experience from concept to launch
13:35 - 14:00

Nadia Naidoo
Independent
DuoLingo for Wellness
Embarking on a playful but powerful journey to craft a wellbeing app that aims to democratise and simplify our overall wellness. Imagine Duolingo, but for health. Join me as I step you through how we're crafting a fun, engaging, and impactful wellness experience from concept to launch
Venue
Venue
Venue
Blandford Manor



About the Space
About the Space
About the Space
Our modern, well equipped venues range from a small 8 seater boardrom to a 300 seater theater. Tranquil and attractive surroundings ensure that delegates can relax and concentrate on the proceedings without interruption. In addition our large gardens and manicured lawns are ideal for that special event such as a year-end company lunch or corporate family day. The Wild Goose restaurant and bar caters for your needs from small intimate business meetings to large gala functions with a range of meal options ranging from an a-la-carte menu to buffets, cocktail and finger food, Braais and Themed menus.
Gallery
Gallery









