Sixteen dynamic local entrepreneurs marked a significant milestone in July, as they graduated from our Orange Corners Designs programme in Cape Town. Hosted at the Invest Cape Town Centre at City Hall, the event celebrated the completion of a transformative 12-month journey of innovation and growth.

Orange Corners Designs is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and proudly managed by the CDI. This 12-month intensive programme supports innovative business in Johannesburg and Cape Town annually – participants gain access to a range of resources and support, including workshops, mentorship, and business development tools. In addition, these participants also have access to apply for a financial grant to support their growth plans from the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF), which the CDI also manages.

Orange Corners is a global initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that supports young entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The Orange Corners Designs programme, which is also supported by the City of Cape Town, is tailored to support creative businesses with high potential for impact and scalability, especially those led by youth and women.

The Cape Town graduation ceremony brought together local and international stakeholders who share a commitment to building sustainable, inclusive economies through creativity and collaboration. The event not only recognised the entrepreneurs’ achievements but also served as a vibrant networking event and showcase.

Keynote speaker Hélène Rekkers, Consul General of the Netherlands in Cape Town, underscored the importance of platforms like Orange Corners in equipping young people to drive change.

“This initiative is about more than entrepreneurship – it's about building resilient ecosystems that contribute to long-term development and job creation,” she said. Hélène also encouraged graduates to not only grow their own ventures but to uplift others in the process, calling entrepreneurship “a path forward and upward.”

The partnership between the CDI and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa builds on a shared vision of fostering inclusive economic growth, design-driven innovation, and sustainable development.

Erica Elk, Group CEO of the CDI, offered heartfelt congratulations to the cohort, acknowledging the personal highs and lows that often accompany the entrepreneurial journey.

“You’ve shown grit and creativity, and that’s what this sector needs,” she said. Erica also reminded graduates that they are part of the wider CDI family, and also now become part of the Orange Corners Alumni Programme – a connected network offering ongoing support and opportunities for growth.

Mapitso Thaisi, the creative mind behind Shweshwekini – a vibrant local swimwear and activewear brand – credits the Orange Corners programme with defining her entrepreneurial journey.

“Before Orange Corners, I saw my business as a creative hustle – now I see it as a growing enterprise. The programme helped me shift my mindset, understand the financial tools needed for growth, and introduced me to concepts like growth levers that moved my business forward. We’ve expanded our range, grown our revenue and gained new customers. It’s shown me what’s possible with the right support and funding.”

With creativity at the core and a growing ecosystem of support around them, these graduates are stepping into the future as more than just business owners – they are dynamic changemakers designing a better tomorrow.

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Watch the video from our graduation below: