World Design Capital 2014 recognised projects

iKhaya le Langa: Business that builds

To tackle unemployment, reduce poverty, empower the community and enhance the township of Langa's assets, non-profit organisation iKhaya le Langa (#WDC229) was established. The organisation aims to support co-dependent enterprises and projects, including a business development precinct serving 7000 residents, known as the Langa Quarter.

iKhaya le Langa comprises several interdependent enterprise and design initiatives that include: the Langa Quarter Café, which provides front-of-house and barista training for the community and acts as an income generator; the Microsoft Mobile Library offering free Wi-Fi access and the use of Microsoft devices; a formal market square for existing street sellers; a visitor centre; a call centre training academy; and an affordable pay-as-you-go office space.

Through these and other initiatives, iKhaya le Langa facilitates and supports the development of vibrant, cohesive communities. For its use of design that adds value to the economy through innovation, systems and social entrepreneurship, iKhaya le Langa has been recognised as a World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 (WDC 2014) project.

According to project owner, Tony Elvin: "We believe that the Cape Flats can become an inspiring, vibrant area for residents, Capetonians and tourists; the new 'go to' space of employment opportunities, tourism and social cohesion. We believe that through facilitating, enabling and encouraging a series of interconnected initiatives, the vicious cycle of poverty and social exclusion can be broken and replaced with a thriving, sustainable, cohesive community."

Monkeybiz: Making a difference through design

To empower and create employment for a community of previously disadvantaged women, Monkeybiz (#WDC311), a non-profit, income-generating, beading organisation, was established. Currently, the organisation provides beads and beading material to more than 450 sole breadwinning female bead artists established in Cape Town's informal settlements. The women, in turn, bring their artworks to Monkeybiz every week, where they are purchased and the profits ploughed back through a range of services to the collective to maintain their health and well-being. By doing this, and offering skills-development workshops when needed, the project ensures that the community has the support that is needed to focus on creativity and innovation in products.

For its use of design to transform lives, Monkeybiz has been recognised as a World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 (WDC 2014) project.

The project, which is the shared vision of three ceramic artists to regenerate the indigenous art of bead work whilst creating employment opportunities for women in underprivileged areas of the Western Cape, was started in 1999.

Local designer Carrol Boyes donated office space to Monkeybiz at her headquarters in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town and the founding directors motivated the artists to bring their artworks to the space where they would be purchased and then marketed and sold locally and internationally.

Today Monkeybiz is renowned for its quirky, one-of-a-kind bead art pieces that are suffused with the vivid colours, textures, stories and expressions of Cape Town's townships and which are sought after by galleries, museums and personal collections.

For more about other WDC 2014 recognised projects, go to www.wdccapetown2014.com