How to Use Ubuntu and Design Thinking to Create Meaningful Change

Hedi
May 29
2 min read

Creativity is not a gift for the few. It's a birthright we all share.

Yet, somewhere between standardized tests, outdated education systems, and fear of failure, we lose touch with it.

In the latest episode of the Change_Liscious podcast, host Hedi speaks with Richard Perez, Founding Director of Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, to explore how we can reclaim creativity, nurture innovation, and use design thinking to solve the world’s most complex problems.

If you're a purpose-driven leader, creative soul, or change-maker at heart — this episode is your spark.

Who Is Richard Perez?

Richard is a leading voice in design-led innovation in Africa, helping individuals and organizations rethink how they solve problems. At the helm of d-school Afrika, he’s pioneering a new wave of design thinking in education, rooted in community, empathy, and collaboration.

His mission? To show that creativity isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential.

Why Creativity Is the New Superpower

Here’s the truth:

“Creativity is a skill, not a talent.”

This conversation busts the myth that you’re either born creative or not. Richard explains that everyone has the capacity for imagination, and what we need is not more information—but a different way of thinking.

Key Takeaways From the Episode:

Creativity is a mindset you can rewire.
Asking better questions unlocks better solutions.
Community-centered design outperforms top-down models.
Failure is part of the learning process, not the end.
Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—offers a blueprint for collaborative innovation.

What Is Ubuntu—and Why It Matters for Design Thinking

Ubuntu is an African philosophy that emphasizes human connection, empathy, and shared growth. In a world obsessed with individualism, Ubuntu reminds us that real innovation happens together.

Richard explains how design in Africa is shifting:

“We’re not designing for people — we’re designing with people.”

Ready to Reignite Your Creative Confidence?

Whether you’re navigating career shifts, launching a project, or trying to lead change in uncertain times—this episode will reconnect you to the inner resource you’ve always had: creativity.