Is UX growing up?

Deep thoughts on design maturity, the Astro-Cloudflare deal, and a feast of React Conf 2025 talks.

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FEDSA team
January 19, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Hey and welcome to 2026!

Howsit going? We hope your inbox isn’t as chaotic as a Januworry budget.

It’s been a minute since the last edition of the FEDSA Feed, but while we were all easing (or budgeting) into the new year, the tech world kicked straight into gear: UX is evolving, Astro just got adopted, and React Conf dropped a feast of talks to help you through the rest of Januworry.

Let’s dive in!

Paul Boag recently published a really good article arguing that, since AI easily negates a lot of the routine and artifact-driven work we’ve seen within UI/UX, UX practitioners need to actively seek out messy, frustrating problems that can’t be tackled with a systematic playbook.

The web is abuzz with the recent announcement that Cloudflare has acquired everyone’s favourite indie framework, Astro. This came right on the heels of the new beta release of the upcoming v6 of Astro. And the year has only just begun!

See the full announcement here

Every. Single. Session. From async React to AI, transitions, performance tips, and spicy Q&A’s with the core team. The React Conf 2025 archive is a Front-End gold mine.

KRS is the proud sponsor of the FEDSA Feed

Khanyisa Real Systems (KRS) has been shaping Cape Town’s tech landscape since 1987, delivering smart software for startups, corporates, and government. With nearly 40 years of coding experience, KRS helps clients turn complex challenges into elegant, effective solutions. As a proud Microsoft Gold Partner, the team specialises in web app development, data management, and cloud solutions, and is deeply passionate about growing the SA developer community. Learn more at krs.co.za

UPCOMING EVENTS:

AI in the Browser with Just JavaScript (No Backend Required), Thu, Jan 22, 2026, 6:30 PM | Meetup

AI isn’t just for the cloud anymore. With new browser APIs like WebGPU, MediaPipe Tasks, and TensorFlow.js, you can now run real-time computer vision and machine learning m

Keen to share your knowledge at an upcoming FEDSA event? Sign up to be a contributor.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • FNB has an opening for a UI designer to translate high-level requirements into interaction flows and artifacts, and transform them into intuitive and functional designs. Apply here.

  • Capitec has an opening for a Lead: UX Designer. As the UX Lead for client engagement, you will have ownership of and will be accountable for leading the execution of user experience design, plans, artifacts and objectives and drive design excellence across traditional and digital engagement channels. Apply here.

  • Allan Gray is looking for a Frontend Developer to join them in building their next generation of React and Node based web applications. They combine interesting, modern tech with smart, innovative architectural paradigms. Apply here.

  • Yoco has an opportunity for a Staff Frontend Engineer on their POS Team. As a Staff Frontend Engineer in the Seller Solutions tribe, you will contribute on an individual contributor career path. You will be responsible for system design, ensuring that the team is aligned with the Yoco technical direction. Apply here.

If you’d like to share your open roles here, reach out here for more information.

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