During 2002 the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) received a request from the provincial government of the North-West Province, one of the nine provinces of South Africa, to develop specifications to be used in a tender document for the building of a donkey cart for specific local uses. This request accentuated the awareness of the problems involved with the structure and use of local animal drawn carts on a national level and the need for the research and development of relevant national standards and regulations became apparent. It also became clear that, to develop a project of this nature in a sustainable way, some lateral thinking would be very beneficial.

The Design Institute South Africa, a division of the SABS, became involved and it was decided that an Interdesign would be presented addressing the challenges of sustainable, non-motorised rural transport in South Africa. Interdesign 2005 on Sustainable Rural Transport - Technology for Developing Countries took place from 3-16 April 2005

The event was organized by the Design Institute South Africa, a division of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in collaboration with the Research and Development Division of the SABS, the National Department of Transport, the Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works of the North-West Provincial Government, the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, and the Industrial Design Schools of the University of Johannesburg and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

During the workshop the issue of rural transport was considered against the background of social and environmental issues, sustainability and cost.

• To develop feasible concepts with a real possibility of producing products, real businesses and real job opportunities within the local context and environment, using local manufacturing facilities and materials. It was essential to set this goal because of the involvement of rural communities and the expectations this project generated.
  
  
• To involve ICSID and ICOGRADA members in multidisciplinary outcomes in an environment where illiteracy and multilingualism is a factor. The Communication group - a group of visual communication designers and students - was introduced to act as a link with the local communities and schools in order to establish communication strategies and methodologies. The group also interacted closely with the other groups to identify crucial transport related information that should be communicated.
  
  

• To align the project with the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development ( NEPAD - www.nepad.org). NEPAD was established to address the current challenges facing the African continent. Issues such as the escalating poverty levels, underdevelopment and the continued marginalisation of Africa needed a new radical intervention, spearheaded by African leaders, to develop a new Vision that would guarantee Africa’s Renewal.

  NEPAD’s primary objectives are:

  • To eradicate poverty;
  • To place African countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development;
  • To halt the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy;
  • To accelerate the empowerment of women.)