The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) successfully hosted two Creative Exchange (CX) events in August 2024. These events, held in Cape Town and Johannesburg, provided crucial insights into market access, business development, and economic growth programmes for creative entrepreneurs.

Hosted by the CDI through its Orange Corners Programme, this monthly platform provides ongoing opportunities for learning, networking, and professional growth.

The Orange Corners Designs Programme, an Incubation and Acceleration project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, is an initiative managed by the CDI. It supports visionary individuals whose businesses are poised for growth and dedicated to making a positive impact in under-resourced communities.

Cape Town: Strategic Economic Development Initiatives

On August 29, 2024, the CDI held its first Cape Town Creative Exchange event for 2024 at the City of Cape Town’s Invest Cape Town Centre, under the theme “Empowering the Craft and Design Sector Through Strategic Economic Development Initiatives.”

The event showcased innovative ways the City of Cape Town is driving economic growth within various industries.

At the event, Ryan Rode of CDI’s non-profit subsidiary CDI Capital and Andile Magadla, an Enterprise and Supplier Development Specialist with the City of Cape Town, provided valuable insights on support for small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) within Cape Town’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Rode emphasised the CDI’s tailored business development services for SMMEs, particularly the soon to be launched Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF), which bridges the financing gap for early-stage impact startups. Magadla outlined the City’s enterprise development programmes, which assist SMMEs with market access, supplier development, and business connections.

Download the presentation by Invest Cape Town - click here.

The event ended with a networking session, giving participants the chance to engage further with the speakers and each other, fostering deeper connections within the creative community.

Sivise Magqazolo of FishTank Holdings, one of the attendees, expressed his gratitude for the event, stating:

"The CX was very insightful and exciting. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling well, but I had to show up because deep down I knew it would be worth it. CDI has never failed us, and indeed, the CX has exceeded my expectations. The event was a testament that CDI and the City have our backs. Ours is simple: we just need to work hard and utilise the opportunities presented."

Johannesburg: Bridging the Gap Between Creatives and Markets

The following day, on August 30, 2024, Johannesburg hosted its Creative Exchange event, titled "Bridging the Gap: How Intermediaries Connect Creatives with Markets." This session brought together creative entrepreneurs, industry experts, and intermediaries to discuss the vital role intermediaries play in helping creatives access markets.

Key speakers shared actionable insights on topics such as product readiness, understanding buyer expectations, and aligning product quality with market demands. The discussion also touched on pricing strategies and the importance of accurate costing structures for business sustainability. Attendees learned the value of building strong networks with intermediaries to refine their products and improve market penetration.

This Johannesburg event underscored the need for creatives to work closely with market facilitators and develop relationships that enhance their visibility and competitiveness.

Looking Ahead

Both events, held in Cape Town and Johannesburg, are part of CDI’s broader mission to support creative entrepreneurs by offering platforms for learning, networking, and business growth.

Stay tuned for future announcements, as the Creative Exchange series continues to empower South Africa’s creative industries.

Image above: Presentation by ArtAid at the Creative Exchange in Jo'burg

Image above: Presentation by Andile Magadla at the Creative Exchange in Cape Town