SpaceSalad Studios is bringing an all-new dimension to the AVIJOZI 2025 event that will take place in Johannesburg from 13 to 14 September with an interactive mobile app designed to turn the event into a festival-wide scavenger hunt. Using QR codes placed at different booths and zones, the app encourages visitors to explore, engage, and connect, all while unlocking rewards along the way.
The concept grew out of a simple observation. “We have all been to events where you walk from stand to stand, pick up a flyer, and move on. There is very little interaction beyond that,” says Thabo Tsolo CEO and Game Designer at SpaceSalad Studios. “We wanted to create a tool that makes the experience more immersive and fun, and also more valuable for exhibitors.”
How it works
The app blends gamification with event navigation. Festival-goers can scan QR codes scattered across the AVIJOZI exhibition areas to access mini challenges from trivia questions to creative tasks, earning points as they progress. Leaderboards display the top participants, and prizes from participating exhibitors add extra motivation.
“It is gamification in its purest form. We are using game mechanics to make learning and discovery exciting. InsteaGOOd of being passive spectators, attendees become active explorers,” adds Tsolo.
AVIJOZI is a celebration of African creativity in visual media, from animation and games to XR and immersive tech. SpaceSalad Studios will not only be exhibiting but also using the event as a live demonstration of how interactive technology can elevate the festival experience.
Why corporates should care
While the app is built for fun, it is also a serious business tool. Exhibitors gain a dynamic way to draw and hold attention, while tracking engagement in real time.
“For brands, the ROI is clear. You increase foot traffic, dwell time, and brand recall. You turn casual visitors into engaged participants, and that is where lasting impressions are made,” says Tsolo.
The app’s analytics can also help exhibitors refine their event strategies, understanding which activities drive the most interaction and which areas attract the highest participation.
Bringing families into the experience
SpaceSalad Studios designed the app to be family-friendly. We want parents to bring their kids and experience the event together. Children love the thrill of finding the next code, and adults enjoy the challenges and the rewards. It becomes a shared adventure.
With AVIJOZI’s diverse programme, from industry talks to creative showcases, the app also helps visitors discover parts of the festival they might otherwise miss. “It is a guide, a game, and a memory-maker in one.
A natural fit for AVJOZI
SpaceSalad Studios’ involvement in AVIJOZI reflects the festival’s broader vision to make African visual media accessible, interactive, and globally competitive.
AVIJOZI is about celebrating African creativity and innovation. Our app is a small example of how African talent can create world-class digital experiences tailored for local audiences.
For SpaceSalad Studios, known for building games with strong African narratives, the project is also an extension of its commitment to using game design for education, community engagement, and business value. The studio has previously run interactive workshops and mentorship programmes for young creators, an experience that informed the app’s design and accessibility.
Looking ahead
Although the app is debuting at the festival, SpaceSalad Studios sees potential for it to be adapted for other events, from trade shows to tourism experiences.
“The technology is scalable. Any environment where you want people to move, explore, and connect could benefit from this. It is more than an app. It is also a way of rethinking how we experience events, how we connect with each other, and how we showcase the creativity and innovation happening in South Africa right now,” concludes Tsolo.
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Author: T M from ByDesign Communications on behalf of Aions Ventures.
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