2026 Conference Theme
5 Future Foundations
In a world of accelerating change, how do we design experiences that are not only efficient but deeply human and truly transformative? At UX South Africa Online 2025, we explore how UX professionals can balance speed and innovation with empathy, dignity, and impact. From AI-powered insights to quiet, human-centred design moments, this year’s theme invites you to share how you’re shaping the future of UX, in your team, your community, and the world.
South Africa's Top UX voices
10+ Keynotes & talks
Breakfast & lunch
200 - 300
Who attends
Made for Future Product People.
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.
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.
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.
Speakers
09:00–09:05
Welcome Message
10:00–10:35
Atisha Ramdas
Topic TBC
10:35–11:00
Break
Break
11:00–11:35
Andrew Potter
Co-founder @ Hey guys
The UX Assumptions That Fail in Emerging Markets
11:35–12:10
Jenna Barclay
Design Project Lead @ Absa
From Reach to Relevance: What makes WhatsApp revolutionary?
12:10–13:00
Break
Lunch
13:00–13:35
Sean Nkosi
Mobile Software Engineer @ Entelect
Designing Fintech for How South Africans Actually Live
13:35–14:10
Tshenolo Lobelo
Frontend Developer @ National Research Foundation
Beyond User Error: What If the System Made the Error More Likely?
14:10–14:45
Amy Tayler
Senior Digital Product Designer @ MakeReign
Topic TBC
Tentative speaker: Amy Tayler, MakeReign (listed as “Possibly Amy Taylor, MakeReign” in the supplied schedule).
14:45–15:30
Panel Discussion
15:30
Conference closes for the day
09:05–10:00
Gemma Faerch
Experience Design Director @ Absa
When AI Skips the Designer: What Gets Lost When We Cut Craft Out of Creation
10:00–10:35
Nyekachi Wihioka
Head of Product Design @ RideScan
What Happens When the Design Team Is Just You, And AI Is Your Junior Designer
10:35–11:00
Break
Break
11:00–11:35
Tenaya Douglas
Head of Design & Analysis | Co-Founder @ Monkey & River
Katherine Donald
UX/CX Designer & Researcher @ Monkey & River
Your Research Is Failing Before It Starts: The Blind Spots Built into Our Tests
11:35–12:10
Jonathan Kruger
Senior Product Designer @ Entelect
A world beyond just UX
12:10–13:00
Break
Lunch
13:00–13:35
Maru Fourie
Principal UX Researcher @ Polymorph Systems
Mirror the community, don’t replace it: designing DigiDeeds with informal settlement residents
13:35–14:10
Topic coming soon
14:10–14:45
Topic coming soon
14:45–15:30
Conference concludes and closing
Venue
Randpark Club
Randpark venues accommodate conferences, seminars, workshops and board meetings, with executive boardrooms and a dedicated events team. The club also has the Terrace Bar & Barstro, with The Fairway Hotel and spa on the property.
