Designing for Change

As we mark our 10th anniversary in December 2025, we continue to highlight the people and projects that shape the Foundation’s ecosystem and the ambition that drives them.

When the Hasso Plattner Foundation helped launch the d-school Afrika at the University of Cape Town, no one knew exactly what shape it would take. Nearly a decade later, the answer is clear: it has grown into a vibrant space where young people can practice thinking out of the box – and leave with new perspectives.

“At the time, it was all an experiment,” says Richard Perez, the founding Director of d-school Afrika. “But kudos to the Foundation for enabling something exploratory, something new. Nine years later, here we are.”

Today, the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika is one of the most distinctive learning spaces in South Africa and a dedicated hub for design thinking. Its multidisciplinary approach has helped thousands of students in tackling complex problems using creativity, empathy, and collaboration.

That collaborative spirit is visible everywhere: from the award-winning architecture of the school’s building to its cross-sector partnerships with industry and government. And it starts with the people.

“You can’t do it alone,” Richard says. “You need a team that shares your vision and wants to change the world. You also need trusted partners – and that’s what the Foundation has been for us.”

The d-school’s lasting contribution shows not only in student projects, but in the lives they go on to lead. Richard is most moved by the graduates who return to say thank you, sharing stories of career pivots, startups launched, or renewed passion for creating something new.

“What gets me out of bed every day is knowing that students will walk in, and three hours later, they walk out changed. That is what keeps me going.”

When challenges come – as they do in any ambitious undertaking – he leans on his team. “This isn’t a solo project,” he says. “Some days you are high energy, some days you are not. But we hold each other up.”

As the d-school Afrika looks ahead to its tenth year, its ambitions are growing too. The school now sees its role as a connector, linking local knowledge with global challenges, and creating space for bold ideas across the African continent.

Richard’s hope for the Foundation’s next decade? “Keep going. You are on an amazing journey. The projects you are supporting have infinite potential. We may not know exactly where they will go, and that is the exciting part.”

For our anniversary, we are sharing stories from across our ecosystem – snapshots of the people and ideas that drive them. New stories will appear on our anniversary page between July and December 2025. We invite you to follow along – and perhaps, find inspiration of your own.