Keeping the wheels going round

During the two-week workshop the designers work in four groups, designing animal-drawn carts, bicycles and tricycles, alternative modes of transport and considering the communication aspects related to the issue of sustainable rural transport.

According to Adrienne Viljoen, manager of the SABS Design Institute, this is an ideal opportunity to pay focussed attention to the problems facing developing communities: "South Africa will benefit from this pool of creative minds and technically skilled individuals, especially since designers from developed countries (Europe, the United States and Japan) work alongside colleagues from China, India, Korea and Malaysia."

Final presentations of designs will be made on Saturday, 16 April. These designs will then be handed over to the SABS and it is envisaged that the first prototypes will be available by August.