It has been proven time and again: ordinary Africans have an innate creativity and ingenuity. Consider Stellenbosch resident Colin Vale, who developed a paraffin stove that extinguishes itself when bumped over, reducing the chance of shack fires. Or Malawian William Kamkwamba, who created a wind turbine from scrap and bicycle parts to light up his house at night. Not to mention Azemeraw Zeleke from Ethiopia, who transforms bombshells into coffee machines.

Here to harness, discuss and foster this creativity is Design Indaba 2009, a late-February conference featuring the likes of Marcel Wanders, Bruce Mau and Stephen Burks, covering design of all stripes (product, automotive, graphic, interior, architecture, etc.). A subsequent Expo will put the best of the best on display. Click here and here for more details.