Design Indaba's Do Tank: Discover What Design Can Do

Launched at Design Indaba’s 25th anniversary in February 2020, creator and speaker Bas Timmer unveiled her project entitled Shelterbag. Shelterbag was created in response to the growing homelessness crisis in South Africa.

"The design, a lightweight, waterproof sleeping bag with a hood and ventilation, rolls up into a yoga mat-like carrier bag during the day and has a built-in pillow, a waterproof mattress and space for extra padding on the bottom. 

After Bas’ talk and the unveiling on stage, challenges were taken up by delegates and sponsors resulting in the funding of an additional 1300 Shelterbags. This was made possible with contributions from @Woolworths, @MercedesBenzSA, Dutch wallet manufacturer, @secrid and @PoloSA.

"The design, a lightweight, waterproof sleeping bag with a hood and ventilation, rolls up into a yoga mat-like carrier bag during the day and has a built-in pillow, a waterproof mattress and space for extra padding on the bottom. A bonus is the zippered pocket that can be used for storing personal possessions such as an ID book and change of socks and underwear if need be.”

Design Indaba’s Do Tank provided the seed capital to fund the production of the first 250 Shelterbags. A production facility was set up at the Ark, a Cape Town-based NGO and homeless shelter where a group of women were upskilled to produce the Shelterbags within seven weeks.

“To make the Sheltersuit suitable for the warmer South African climate, [we] decided to make a modified design– the Shelterbag – that can protect someone from rain and wind without overheating."

For Mandela Day 2020, Design Indaba’s Do Tank along with Woolworth's South Africa and the Haven Shelter in Cape Town came together to distribute 250 Shelterbag’s to the homeless population in Greenpoint, Cape Town.