Conference Programme
Two Days of Learning and Innovation
Day 1 - September 10, 2026
08:00 - 09:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Registration, Tea & Coffee, Networking
Networking
09:00 - 09:10
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Opening Remarks
Neo Potwana
- Programme Director
Other
09:10 - 09:25
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Welcome Address
Charles Nduku
- SACAP President
Keynote
09:25 - 09:45
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Government Keynote Address
Tertius Simmers
- MEC: Department of Infrastructure Western Cape
Keynote
09:45 - 10:15
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
International Keynote Address
Speaker:
Prof. Ashraf M. Salama
Keynote
10:15 - 10:35
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Guest Address
Speaker:
Dr Dong Wang
Keynote
10:35 - 10:55
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Networking & Refreshment Break
Break
10:55 - 11:05
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Opening Presentation: Education Methodologies and Curriculum Development
Speaker:
Prof. Carin Combrinck
Session
11:05 - 11:35
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Discussion 1: Architectural Education for the Future
Moderator:
Prof. Carin Combrinck
Panellists:
Dr Finzi Saidi, Dr Afua Wilcox, Prof. Ashraf M. Salama, Prof. Alta Steenkamp
Panel
11:35 - 11:50
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
11:50 - 12:05
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
International Guest Speaker
Speaker:
Michael Armstrong
Keynote
12:05 - 12:25
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Discussion 2: Architectural Regulation in a Global Context – Challenges and Opportunities
Moderator:
Kevin Bingham
Panellists:
Hugh Simpson, Maurice Brown, Adv. Toto Fiduli, Emiel Murwira
Panel
12:25 - 12:35
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
12:35 - 13:30
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Lunch & Networking/Exhibition
Break
13:30 - 14:05
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Discussion 3: Innovation in Architectural Education and Practice
Moderator:
Dr Jennifer Mirembe
Panellists:
Akheel Khan, Machiel Odendaal, Singalakha Bongela, Vusi Phailane
Panel
14:05 - 14:15
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
14:15 - 14:50
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Discussion 4: Urbanism and Urban Design – Shaping Sustainable and Inclusive Cities, and Sustainability and Climate-Responsive Design
Moderator:
Charles Nduku
Panellists:
Dr Finzi Saidi, Georgina Smit, Dr Afua Wilcox, Dr Dong Wang
Panel
14:50 - 15:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
15:00 - 15:15
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Comfort Break
Break
15:15 - 15:45
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Discussion 5: How Education Curriculum Translates into Practice
Moderator:
Letsabisa Shongwe
Panellists:
Dr Luyanda Mphahlwa, Prof. Carin Combrinck, Dr Majahamahle Mthethwa, Namagugu Manci, Angela Vougiouklis
Panel
15:45 - 16:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
16:00 - 16:15
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Young Professionals Forum: Redefining Architectural Practice Through Innovation and Technology
Moderator:
Akheel Khan
Panellists:
Sethabile Makhathini, Merylene Chitharai, Uzair Khan, Thuto Vilakazi, Lizelle Jackson, Camilla Moodley
Panel
16:15 - 16:25
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
16:25 - 16:45
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Special Presentation: Policy, Regulation and Governance in a Changing Built Environment
Speaker:
Dr Patrick Sithole
Session
16:45 - 17:05
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Panel Reflections on National Building Regulations and SANS 10400: Policy, Regulation and Governance in a Changing Built Environment
Moderator:
Frans Dekker
Panellists:
Broderick Chiloane, Tsholofelo Makgwa, Thapelo Mogatusi, Creswell Basson, Pieter Koekemoer
Panel
17:05 - 17:20
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Questions & Answers
Panellists:
All Panellists
Session
17:20 - 17:35
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Consolidated Plenary Session: Key Takeaways, Reflections and Emerging Priorities
Neo Potwana
- Facilitator
Session moderators provide key insights and recommendations arising from the day's discussions.
Session
17:35 - 17:40
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Closing Remarks and Close of Day One
Letsabisa Shongwe
- SACAP Vice President
Other
Day 2 - September 11, 2026
08:00 - 09:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Registration and Networking
Networking
09:00 - 09:10
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Opening Remarks
Neo Potwana
- Programme Director
Other
09:10 - 09:40
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Keynote Address
Honourable Ms Thembi Simelane
- Minister of Human Settlements
Keynote
09:40 - 10:20
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
International Keynote Address
Speaker:
Hugh Simpson
Keynote
10:20 - 10:50
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
The Business Case for Sustainable Architecture: Moving Green Building from Aspiration to Industry Practice
Speaker:
Georgina Smit
Session
10:50 - 11:10
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Networking & Refreshment Break
Break
11:10 - 11:40
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Planning with the City Already Being Built: Advancing Small-Scale Rental Housing through Implementation in Cape Town
Speaker:
Speaker TBC
Session
11:40 - 13:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Breakaway Session 1: Architecture Education and Pedagogy
Moderator:
Kevin Bingham
5 Peer-Reviewed Papers
Workshop
11:40 - 13:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Breakaway Session 2: Sustainability and Climate-Responsive Design
Moderator:
Dr Finzi Saidi
5 Peer-Reviewed Papers
Workshop
11:40 - 13:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Breakaway Session 3: Professional Practice, Innovation and Technology
Moderator:
Prof. Alta Steenkamp
5 Peer-Reviewed Papers
Workshop
11:40 - 13:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Breakaway Session 4: Inclusive Design
Moderator:
Dr Afua Wilcox
5 Peer-Reviewed Papers
Workshop
13:00 - 14:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Lunch & Networking
Break
14:00 - 14:20
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Existential Sustainability: Toward a Transformative Architecture of Relevance in Changing Times
Speaker:
Dr Mizan Rambhoros
Session
14:20 - 15:40
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Review and Evaluation of Conference Papers
Moderator:
Mandisa Pepeta
Panellists:
Nondumiso Nene, Singalakha Bongela, Prof. Carin Combrinck, Prof. Alta Steenkamp, Dr Afua Wilcox, Dr Finzi Saidi
Panel
15:40 - 16:00
University of Cape Town (UCT), Beattie Building
Closing Reflections and Adoption of Conference Outcomes
Charles Nduku
- SACAP President
Other