Designing a better future

If there is to be a resurgence of Africa in the economic sphere, it will come from creativity and value addition. There is plenty of this, at least in potential, in Africa. Proof of Africa's inventiveness was recently on display at the SA Bureau of Standards Design Institute Awards. TOM NEVIN reports.

What does the boffin tinkering in the back room have to do with Africa's economic revival and sustainable development? Plenty, if you listen to Professor Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo. And should we really care if a golf tee suddenly appears that adds a few metres and greater accuracy to a drive? Or a new water-powered pool cleaner makes a splash? Or a revolutionary surfboard makes waves?

Indeed we should, counsels Vil-Nkomo, chairman of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) council, because they highlight the role designers can play in the resurgence of the continent. And how they can focus the international spotlight on the rich diversity of innovative talent that exists in the region.

"Africa needs these levels of creativity, vitality and initiative," says Vil-Nkomo, saluting the region's inventive genius at the 2003 SABS Design Institute Awards ceremony in Johannesburg. "The award-winning products are excellent examples that show that innovative design is a key component in the ongoing process of the African Renaissance, and highlight the critical contribution of design and innovation to bridging the economic and technological gap."

The fact that the world is sitting up and taking notice of Africa's ability to create groundbreaking products is due to the SA Design Institute's campaign to promote and develop a culture of innovative, relevant design and foster creativity not only in South Africa, but continent-wide.

"This is in line with the push by our own and other African governments to uplift the quality of life of our people, create wealth and expand knowledge," says Adrianne Viljoen, director of the Design Institute.

BACKROOM BOYS AND GIRLS

Perhaps it is the nature of the enquiring mind in not seeking attention or making waves that the strategic role of design and designers is generally not recognized by industry, the authorities or the public at large. And yet South Africa has a slew of advantages that can make it a global design leader: A strong resource of well-educated designers, a unique blend of cultures and a pioneering spirit that supports entrepreneurship.

"If these could be harnessed in the appropriate manner, together with a concerted effort to ensure that the intellectual property generated by the design process is protected and can be usefully exploited by South Africans, then the potential to enhance the manufacturing industry quite considerably does exist.

"Appropriate application of design will not only favour the development of better products in established companies, but would be an absolutely essential factor in the establishment of new businesses.

"A further spin-off could be the development of a unique South African 'feel' to manufactured products, thereby further enhancing the acceptability of South African products on the international markets.

"Design Promotion is an acknowledged instrument worldwide to assist industrial competitiveness in developing and developed nations," says Vil-Nkomo. "More recently it has also emerged as a significant tool to enhance social change."

The SABS chief called for an urgent national strategy to harness the inherent design potential of South Africa. "Such a strategy will need to come from government in the first place," he said, "thereafter business and industry will pick it up. Ultimately business and industry will take over the role of government, and foster design in the same way this happened in many other countries in the world."

WINNERS

The Chairman's Awards for most exceptional entry:

The Industrial Design category winner was a golf tee that suspends a golf ball in the air by seating it on a configuration of brushes.

BRUSH-T SERIES II

The Brush-T Series II addresses the entire interface between a golfer and the process of teeing off the ball, giving the effect of suspending a golf ball in the air.

Its advantages for the golfer include:

* Durability - the quality and strength of the bristles mean the tee last longer.

* More distance - the Brush-T reduces the resistance and energy lost at the point of impact, delivering longer driving distance.

* More accuracy/less spin - the flexible bristles reduce resistance and decrease ball sidespin, resulting in straighter, more accurate shots.

* Constant height - Brush-T lets the golfer tee the ball at a constant height enabling him to concentrate on other areas of the game.

The Brush T-Series II conforms to the Royal and Ancient Golfing Society of St Andrews, and the United States Golf Association of America, making it competition legal.

It comes in a range of colours and is packed in an ergonomically researched bullet-shaped single or three-tee pod, making it easier to store in a pocket or golf bag. A ball marker atop each pod represents added functionality.