In Durban this August, artificial intelligence (AI) didn’t arrive as a cold string of algorithms – it came with music, personal stories, and a room full of people determined to shape the future.
At the Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA) KwaZulu-Natal AI Packaging Workshop, engineers, government leaders, and young innovators discovered how AI can do more than streamline packaging workflows—it can empower people, challenge stereotypes, and open doors to new opportunities.
Programme director Khosi Mbatha – also a project manager at MetPac-SA, the event’s key sponsor – welcomed guests, outlined the workshop’s objectives, and set the tone for a day that promised both insight and inspiration.
IPSA KZN chairman Sumiran Singh followed with an overview of IPSA’s role in aligning South Africa’s packaging industry with global standards. He revealed that IPSA is taking a pioneering step by integrating AI into its educational curriculum, ensuring that members are not just keeping pace with industry changes but leading them.
The official welcome came from Nirupa Singh, the event’s gracious hostess, who thanked attendees for prioritising this occasion amidst their busy schedules. She acknowledged the diverse sectors represented in the room, a reminder that innovation thrives when perspectives converge.
From there, the programme shifted into a series of powerful keynote addresses, with each speaker offering a unique lens on resilience, leadership, and the value of balance in personal and professional life.
Hlengiwe Sabelo, sales manager at Impact, spoke candidly about juggling corporate responsibilities with motherhood, particularly as a mother to 14-month-old twins. Her message was clear: routines matter, persistence pays, and the packaging sector offers untapped opportunities for the next generation. “The youth of today will shape the future through their intentional, positive, powerful actions,” she told the room.
Packaging expert Anuka Brown addressed the challenge of breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated sector. Her advice? Focus, apply yourself fully, and lift others as you rise. “Women supporting women is non-negotiable,” she urged.
Avishka Horilal, a senior digital expert, shared a deeply personal story about growing up with a facial disability, the bullying she endured, and how those experiences forged her resilience. Her talk was a testament to the power of goalsetting and self-belief.
The theme of self-advocacy continued with Zodwa Msweli, who urged women to question the status quo if they feel overlooked in their careers. She wove this call to action with an environmental plea, stressing the importance of preserving natural spaces for future generations through tree planting and community care.
Environmental stewardship was also central to Emelda Mjadu’s presentation, which focused on the shift from a linear to a circular economy. While she noted that changing adult behaviours remains challenging, she praised the eagerness of young people – especially young women – to learn and lead in sustainability efforts.
The day’s technical centrepiece was a hands-on AI workshop led by Deneshin Pillay. He guided participants through demonstrations of AI tools and platforms, showing how they can streamline tasks, sharpen decision-making, and enhance productivity. Real-world case studies illustrated the practical value of AI in everyday work, and attendees eagerly engaged in discussions, seeking solutions to their own workplace challenges. By the end of the session, many had gained new skills as well as a sense of how AI could transform their professional output.
Balancing the cerebral with the celebratory, the afternoon featured a performance by Benard, a world-renowned musician who filled the room with music, nostalgia, and laughter. Guests sang along to timeless classics, danced, and reconnected, reminding everyone that innovation and joy can share the same stage.
The IPSA KZN AI Packaging Workshop closed with an atmosphere of optimism. For some, it was their first real encounter with AI; for others, it was a push to go deeper. For all, it was a day that bridged knowledge gaps, built networks, and reinforced that the packaging industry – rooted in both tradition and transformation – has everything to gain from embracing technology and diversity together.
Article first published in the PPM August edition.
