Alien cartoon textile prints from Senegalese fashion designer Selly Raby Kane, Marjorie Wallace's ceramics inspired by Zimbabwean basketry, contemporary velskoene from Namibia by Aurora James, a solar lantern by Kenyan Evans Wadongo,a mosquito-repelling soap developed in Burundi and Burkina Faso and a woven basket chair designed collaboratively by South African and Mozambican creatives. These and much more can be found in the We Are Africa exhibition at the KZNSA gallery in Durban.A celebration of African innovation and creativity, 40 products and projects representing the work of 55 designers and innovators from 16 African countries were sourced by Design Indaba.The selection advisory panel looked for projects that displayed resourcefulness, hi-tech and low-tech ingenuity and a modern African aesthetic that draws on traditional techniques and skills.The panel included leading fashion designer Ozwald Boateng; architects David Adjaye, Francis Kere, Joe Osae-Addo and Kunle Adeyemi; Financial Times writer Lucia van der Post; mobile technology entrepreneur Rapelang Rabana; and product designers Bibi Seck and Ayse Birsel.Originally developed as Africa is Now by Design Indaba, and showcased at last year's Design Indaba Expo in Cape Town, the project has dovetailed with Arts andCulture Minister Nathi Mthethwa's inaugural Africa Month, a cultural programme in May.He describes it as a festival of ideas and cultural exchange, providing a strategic platform and network for conversations about AfricaThe theme for Africa Month is "Opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo", and in the wake of xenophobic attacks that began in Durban, the event aims to provide a much-needed point of shared objectives and identity through design and creativity.Africa Month seeks to increase appreciation and demand for arts and culture goods and services to stimulate competitive markets for intra-Africa trade. Activities taking place across the country include music, literature, theatre, visual arts, film, fashion, cooking demonstrations, seminars, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions.Design Indaba Expo manager Kim Seeliger said: "It is exciting to see the level of craftsmanship and innovation that African creatives are producing."In celebration of Africa Month, we hope the We are Africa exhibition will continue this trajectory, inspiring others to contribute to our continent's creative future."The final week of We Are Africa sees the exhibition coinciding with the first Design Indaba Expo in Durban.Design Indaba Expo Durban opens at the KZNSA Gallery on Tuesday June 2 at 6pm and runs until Sunday June 7. For more information contact the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts on 031-277-1705 or visit kznsagallery.co.za..