LALI VAN ZUYDAM

TWELVE creative industry entrepreneurs from South Africa, Malawi and Lesotho took centre stage at the French Residence in Pretoria on Tuesday to showcase their innovative businesses to potential investors.

The event, part of the Création Africa Days, showcased the best of Southern Africa’s cultural industries — ranging from fashion design to video games, audiovisual production, and music.

The event marked the culmination of the Création Africa programme, a R24 million initiative by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs aimed at promoting cultural entrepreneurship in the region.

The 12 finalists, selected from over 700 applications, spent five months in an incubation programme designed to enhance their business skills. The initiative provided seed funding and mentorship, preparing them to scale their businesses locally and internationally.

The entrepreneurs at the French Residence in Pretoria. Supplied

The finalists hail from South Africa (Ananta Design Studio, Giya, LSJ Clothing and Merchandising/Butan, Moodswing, Pineapple on Pizza Studios, Renaissance Design, SpaceSalad Studios, Tendalo Trading, and Thebe Magugu), Malawi (Kwacha Creative Studios and Terry Made Designs) and Lesotho (SourceCode Motion Pictures).

“This programme is a testament to France’s commitment to supporting Africa’s creative industries,” said French Ambassador to South Africa David Martinon.

“By equipping these entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed, we are promoting not only innovation but also economic growth in South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho, and beyond.”

Pretoria-based entrepreneur Glorinah Khutso Mabaso of Renaissance Design specialises in modern African-inspired designs for fashion, interiors, and product design.

World-renowned local fashion designer Thebe Magugu with Ambassador David Martinon at the French Residence. Supplied

Her patterns have been used in several Nando’s stores across the world.

“I am the mouthpiece to the ancient world. I am bridging the gap between ancient African patterns and designs and modern living,” she said in her pitch to investors.

Also showcasing his work was world-renowned local fashion designer, Magugu, the first African to win the LVMH Prize for Young Designers in 2019. By expanding his business, Magugu hopes to use his collections “as ‘lessons’ in African culture and history”.

As part of the Création Africa programme, Julian Kubel’s Johannesburg-based fashion brand is expanding into eco-friendly footwear by repurposing discarded materials like rubber tyres, building on the success of his streetwear label, Butan.

Some of the designs by top fashion designer Thebe Magugu. Supplied

“Through sustainable footwear, we want to take our colourful culture to the rest of the world,” he said.

In addition to showcasing their work at the ambassador’s residence, the finalists participated in networking sessions in Johannesburg to strengthen their ties with key players in the local cultural and creative industry and French economic partners.

For the final part of the programme, the entrepreneurs will travel to Paris in October for the BIG 2024 gathering, Europe’s largest business and investment forum, offering them the opportunity to expand their global networks.

Glorinah Khutso Mabaso from Pretoria with Fresh Ambassador to South Africa, David Martinon. Supplied

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