π History is Being Made in KZN!
For years, .NET enthusiasts in Durban and KZN have had to travel to Cape Town or Johannesburg to experience the excitement of .NET Conf local events. Not anymore!
We’re thrilled to announce that Durban is finally getting its own .NET Conf celebration!
Join us on November 15, 2025, as the Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban, the organisers of the uber-successful Data & AI Community Day Durban events, brings .NET Conf to the coastal city for the very first time. In collaboration with our friends at the Microsoft Developer Usergroups in Cape Town and Johannesburg (CPTMSDUG and JHBMSDUG), we’re creating something special for the KZN developer community.
What is .NET Conf?
.NET Conf is the largest annual .NET event, hosted online by the .NET Foundation over three days (November 11-13, 2025). It’s where the global .NET community comes together to celebrate the latest innovations in the .NET ecosystem.
This year, expect major announcements around:
- .NET 10: The latest evolution of the cross-platform framework.
- C# 14: New language features and enhancements.
- Performance improvements and cloud-native capabilities.
- The future of ASP.NET Core, Blazor, MAUI, and more.
Following the virtual conference, we’re bringing the celebration to South African soil with local, in-person community editions in Durban (Nov 15), Cape Town (Nov 22), and Johannesburg (Nov 29)!
The .NET Conf Community Edition - South Africa
The .NET Conf Community Edition - South Africa is the biggest annual .NET Conference in South Africa. Following the annual .NET Conf Virtual Conference, we host uniquely South African community versions of the conference in-person and in a city near you!
π Three Cities, Three Epic Events
π Durban - November 15, 2025
Richfield Campus Umhlanga | The FIRST EVER .NET Conf in Durban!
ποΈ Cape Town - November 22, 2025
Venue to be announced
π Johannesburg - November 29, 2025
Venue to be announced
Why Attend the Durban Edition?
While the virtual event is fantastic, there’s nothing quite like experiencing .NET Conf with your local community. Our Durban event offers:
π₯ Local Expert Speakers
Hear from South African .NET professionals, Microsoft MVPs, and architects sharing insights on .NET 10, C# 14, and real-world implementations
π€ Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow developers, architects, and tech enthusiasts from KZN and beyond. Build lasting professional relationships within the South African .NET community
π Technical Sessions
In-depth presentations covering .NET 10’s groundbreaking innovations, including:
- Performance improvements and benchmarks
- New language features in C# 14
- Cloud-native enhancements
- Cross-platform development advances
- ASP.NET Core, Blazor, and MAUI updates
- and so much more …
π¬ Panel Discussions
Our Data & AI Community Day Durban events are famous for their panel discussions. So expect engaging discussions with industry experts about .NET 10’s impact on development, the future of the .NET ecosystem, and career growth in South Africa
π Completely FREE!
This community edition event is completely free to attend. Just bring your passion for .NET development and eagerness to learn!
π Be Part of History
Be among the first to establish Durban’s .NET conference tradition and put KZN on the .NET Conf map!
What to Expect
Wait, I’m not a .NET developer… should I still come?
Absolutely! While we’re celebrating .NET 10, we know not everyone breathes C# (and that’s okay, we still like you π). Since this event is organized by the Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban, we’re mixing in other cool topics too. So if you think .NET is just a fishing tool or that C# is a musical note, don’t worry - we’ve got streaming data, real-time analytics, Python integrations, and cloud-native patterns that’ll make your inner polyglot developer very happy.
Think of it this way: come for the .NET, stay for the streaming, or come for the pizza and accidentally learn something awesome! ππ
Topics & Sessions
Whether you’re interested in the latest .NET 10 announcements or want to explore the broader developer ecosystem, we’ve got you covered.
As we finalize the agenda, you’ll find it here. As mentioned above, the event is a full-day event, and in addition to awesome presentations, it will allow you to network with your peers.
Session Formats
The event will feature a mix of session formats to keep things engaging:
- 45/50-minute technical deep dives from local and international speakers
- 15/20-minute lightning talks on specific features and techniques
- Panel discussions with Q&A
- Networking breaks with refreshments
Who Should Attend?
This event is for everyone passionate about .NET development:
- π Students - Learn about modern software development
- π¨βπ» Professional Developers - Stay current with the latest .NET advances
- ποΈ Software Architects - Explore architectural patterns and best practices
- π Tech Leads - Understand how .NET 10 can benefit your teams
- π Beginners - Start your .NET journey with expert guidance
- π Career Changers - Discover opportunities in .NET development
No prior .NET experience required! Whether you’re a seasoned .NET developer or just curious about the platform, you’re welcome.
What Past Attendees Say
Here’s what people said about previous Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban events:
“Event was well planned and organised. Catering was on par and the speakers were amazing. Organizers were welcoming and very helpful.”
“Another awesome event π Thanks to the organizers and all the sponsors for having such an amazing conference here in Durban for free. An absolute privilege to attend and listen to such talented individuals and companies do wonders using AI and IT.”
“What an incredible time at the Data and AI event in Durban! We had a blast sharing knowledge and connecting with 230 AI enthusiasts who are as passionate about the future of technology as we are! A massive shoutout to the organizers and sponsors for making this event possible.”
“This wasn’t just a local event but a world class AI and Data Conference for KZN. It reminded me as though I was at the Africa AI Expo last November in Sandton. This is how much this event has grown, and many new corners. Well done to all the amazing speakers and sponsors.”
Expect the same world-class experience for .NET Conf 2025!
Call for Speakers
We’re Looking for Speakers!
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or first-timer, we’d love to hear your .NET 10 stories, experiences, and insights.
Topics We’re Looking For:
- .NET 10 features and capabilities
- C# 14 language enhancements
- ASP.NET Core best practices
- Blazor applications and components
- MAUI cross-platform development
- Azure integration and cloud-native patterns
- AI & ML with .NET
- Performance optimization techniques
- Real-world implementation stories
- Developer productivity and tooling
Session Formats:
- 45/50-minute technical sessions - In-depth presentations
- 15/20-minute lightning talks - Quick, focused insights
Ready to share your knowledge?
NOTE: When you submit, you can select which city to speak in (obviously you want to speak in Durban, but if you’re keen to speak in Cape Town or Johannesburg, you can select those too).
Even if you’ve never spoken before, we encourage you to apply! We support first-time speakers and local talent.
Registration
Registration opens soon!
Be the first to know when registration opens by:
- Following us on social media
- Joining the Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban meetup group
- Checking back on this page regularly
Space is limited - these events typically sell out quickly, so register early when tickets become available!
Venue
We are excited to announce that the event will be held at Richfield College, Umhlanga Campus:
Figure 2: Richfield College, Umhlanga Campus
Richfield College offers modern lecture theatres, strong WiβFi, excellent A/V equipment, and secure parking.
The venue is located at: Centenary Boulevard, Park Square, 5-9 Park Avenue, Umhlanga. The campus is inside the Park Square complex. Take the elevator in block C to the first floor, and you are there. If you come by car, you enter the parking garage from Centenary Boulevard.
Stay Connected
Links
- Event Updates:
- Cape Town Edition: November 22, 2025,
- Johannesburg Edition: November 29, 2025
- Official .NET Conf:
Social Media
- Follow #dotNETConf
- Follow #dotNETConfZA
- Follow #DotNetDurban
Sponsors
We’re seeking sponsors who share our commitment to supporting the .NET developer community!
Sponsorship opportunities include:
- Brand visibility to 100+ developers
- Speaking opportunities
- Booth/table space
- Logo placement on event materials
- Social media recognition
Interested in sponsoring? Contact us at events@aimldatadurban.org for our sponsorship prospectus.
Let’s Make History Together!
This is more than just a conference - it’s the birth of a tradition. Be part of the inaugural .NET Conf Durban and help establish KZN as a major hub in South Africa’s .NET community.
Whether you’re looking to:
- π Learn about .NET 10 and C# 14
- π€ Network with fellow developers
- πΌ Explore career opportunities
- π Discover what’s possible with modern .NET
- π Be part of tech history in Durban
This event is for you!
Questions?
Have questions about the event? Want to get involved as a speaker or sponsor?
Contact us: events@aimldatadurban.org
Join us in making .NET Conf 2025 Durban an unforgettable celebration of .NET development in KZN! Space is limited, so secure your spot today and be part of this historic event. ππ