Future Talks 2026 is set to bring together some of the most influential voices in African and global design when it returns to Decorex Cape Town 2026 from 25 to 28 June at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Brought to the event by , the four-day programme will feature more than 40 speakers, including internationally acclaimed creatives, architects, designers and cultural leaders who will explore how people live, design and build in a rapidly evolving world.
Framed around this year’s Decorex theme, The Soft Life, Future Talks 2026 goes beyond visual aesthetics to unpack the deeper ways design shapes wellbeing, restoration, sustainability and sensory living. Through a mix of keynote sessions, panel discussions and curated conversations, attendees can expect insight into architecture, material culture, creative business and emerging industry practices.
Among the headline speakers is Laurence Leenaert of LRNCE, alongside Ayoub Boualam, who will discuss the studio’s globally celebrated approach to layered interiors and emotionally driven object design. Their work has become synonymous with soulful spaces that blend craftsmanship, storytelling and collectable design.
African design leadership will also take centre stage with Titi Ogufere joining discussions around the growing cultural exchange between African creative platforms. The session, titled Soft Power, will highlight how African design continues to influence global conversations around innovation and identity.
Adding an international perspective to the programme, Brazilian creative Julia Franco from Nosso will explore how craft traditions, culture and material expression continue to shape contemporary design thinking worldwide.
Architecture and spatial design will receive focused attention through sessions such as The Fifth Façade, led by ARRCC principals Jon Case and Mark Rielly, while The Shape of Practice, chaired by Chris Reid, will examine the current state of the architecture industry and the future of practice in Africa.
Materiality and object design remain central themes throughout the programme. Sessions like Ten by Ten will feature Binky Newman, Sandile Cele and The Minimalist discussing contemporary object-making, while Material Comforts explores how texture, tactility and detail influence emotional experiences within spaces.
Future Talks 2026 will also spotlight emerging talent through 100% Fresh, where rising creatives Walter Train and Mpumelelo of Good Better Best Studio will share their perspectives on the next wave of design innovation. Meanwhile, The Business of Design, hosted in partnership with , will unpack the realities of building sustainable and future-focused creative businesses.
The programme concludes with conversations centred on immersive experiences and wellness-driven design, including Experiential Lighting hosted by Martin Doller and Ritual, Rest and Repair featuring Roxanne Kaye of SAOTA.
Hosting the series is multidisciplinary storyteller Bathandwa Ngwendu, whose engaging and thoughtful approach is expected to bring depth and energy to the conversations throughout the event.
Designed for trade professionals, creatives, media and design enthusiasts, Future Talks 2026 offers attendees the opportunity to earn 2.0 CPD credits across the full programme.
More information and registration details are available via decorex.co.za
