A group of 10 up-and-coming creative entrepreneurs will be among the traders at the Kirstenbosch Craft and Food Market thanks to a new partnership with the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI), which was developed to support the growth of SMMEs by facilitating access to markets.
As the craft and design sector development agency, the CCDI plays a key role in enterprise development by providing a diverse range of services to support the growth of sustainable creative businesses and contribute to socio-economic development in South Africa.
The CCDI Market Support programme assists emerging businesses by facilitating market opportunities such as local and international consumer and trade events, craft markets, and pop-up stores at conferences and shows.
The Kirstenbosch Market, which runs on the last Sunday of each month until May next year, gives space to almost 200 craft producers to offer a wide variety of unique hand-crafted products including jewellery, clothing, knitwear, linen, leather goods, pottery, handmade soaps, candles and art.
Fran Stewart, CCDI market support manager, said: “This partnership is ideal because space at Kirstenbosch market is highly sought after; it is a well-established market that has been around for many years with a strong public following. This partnership will allow us to incrementally feed new producers into the space, thereby giving opportunities to those that previously would not have had them.
“We have selected the initial 10 participants because their product is unique, their businesses are either posed to grow or at a stage where they really need to test a concept and above all they will benefit from the experience of interacting with potential customers and other makers.”
The selected CCDI members will receive advice on how to grow their business. This will include being assigned a veteran trader to each producer who will be tasked to mentor them and assist them.
Among the crafters are Chi-vimbiso Gava, Griot Space (contemporary African-inspired clothing); Samuel Richards of SJR Crafts (dog shelters made from recycled pool cleaners); Cathy Bashala of the C-Bash Group (bags and accessories); Mpho Mopai of Tees and Gees (urban-inspired T-shirts); Max van Zyl of Deaf Media (bags and accessories); Eric David Karangwa of Erick Fine Art (paintings) and John Adhiambo of Shukamania (Kenyan Kikoi cloths).
“We are delighted and excited about our collaboration with the CCDI and to be assisting and mentoring these selected emerging entrepreneurs to bring their products to market. Together with market staff, we have plenty of friendly people of all nationalities at the market who are keen to help new people to achieve the confidence and self-sufficiency required to become successful entrepreneurs. We can look forward to some innovative craft and design from our first group of candidates soon,” Jimmy Hendrikz, of the Kirstensbosch Craft Market, said.
The Kirstenbosch Craft and Food Market takes place on the last Sunday of every month from September to May. There are two markets in December before Christmas – at the corner of Kirstenbosch Drive and Rhodes Avenue, Newlands, from 9am to 3pm.
For details about the Cape Craft and Design Institute go to the website at www.ccdi.org.za, or call Shumi Chimombe at 021 461 1488.