Applications for Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW Cohort 3 are now open. Youth-owned (18-35), innovative SA businesses can join Raise Ready and pitch for up to R1 million in funding. Stage 1 closes 30 Oct. For more info: shorturl.at/m0yRx

Day 1 at #DecorexJoburg drew buyers, retailers & industry pros to the SA Craft Collective pavilion — great connections, promising leads. CDI coordinates 7 of 40 businesses, backed by @DSBD_SA & @sedfa_dsbd . Come meet them. 📍 Sandton Convention Centre | 📅 30 Jul-2 Aug

Meet the powerhouses taking the stage at our next Creative Exchange - Rooted in Heritage. Ready for Export. 📅 Wed, 22 July | ⌚13:00–15:00 | CDI Offices Limited seats — book now: shorturl.at/ZGa0S #CreativeExchange #CDI #HeritageDesign #DesignForExport #DEDAT

⏰ FINAL CALL: Our Creative Exchange is this Thursday, 9 July! Join speakers Carlette Egypt & Cindy Phillips for insights on funding via SEDFA and business support via NYDA. Seats are limited: 🔗 shorturl.at/urMUZ #CDI #SEDFA #NYDA #CreativeEconomy #OCD

Join us for our Creative Exchange in Cape Town on Thu, 9 July! Connect with SEDFA & NYDA to unlock funding, support & programmes for entrepreneurs. 🎤 Carlette Egypt (SEDFA) & Cindy Phillips (NYDA) Seats limited — register now: shorturl.at/HwPyc

Day 1 at Decorex Cape Town is done! 30 South African entrepreneurs brought the energy to the DSBD stand today. Come visit us this weekend – we can’t wait to meet you! 📌: CTICC | 📍: DSBD Stand | 📅: 26-28 June @DSBD_SA | @decorexSA #Decorex2026 #DSBD #CDI #MadeInSA

Setup day at Decorex Cape Town. The CDI is coordinating the @DSBD_SA stand where 30 South African businesses will be showcasing their work. 📌@decorexSA 📍 @CTICC_Official 📅 Thurs, 25 June - Sun, 28 June #Decorex2026 #CDI #DSBD #SmallBusinessSA

It’s been a busy week of workshops at the CDI’s new Cape Town home at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront! We hosted a Photography Workshop; a workshop discovering the magic of Intaglio Printmaking, and a Vinyl Personalisation Workshop - see: learn.thecdi.org.za/#!/

🚨 Deadline Extended! Entrepreneurs (18–35): Apply for the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW Programme by 15 March 2026. 💰 Funding: R200k–R1m 🤝 Mentorship & growth support 👉For more info and to apply: shorturl.at/txzWO

Big news for Making It! 2026 We’re thrilled to welcome Jozi My Jozi to the movement! Makers. Designers. Creatives. Inner-city change-makers. This is where collaboration sparks real impact and Jozi’s creative economy levels up. 🎟️ Tickets + programme: shorturl.at/ggK00

We’re welcoming Wacy Zacarias to #MakingIt2026 🔥 Founder of Woogui & co-founder of Karingana Textiles, she joins us from Mozambique to explore ethics, sourcing & material innovation in Indigenous Materials: From Extraction to Innovation. 🎟️ Book now — shorturl.at/RtlRY

This isn’t a sit-and-listen conference. It’s two days of making ideas happen. 🧵 Plenary Sessions – bold ideas that challenge craft + design 🧵 MAKEshops – hands-on, practical, real 🧵 Panels – honest industry conversations 🎟️ Register now: shorturl.at/A6EeM

Kramerville has always been where Joburg’s creatives meet. This year, it becomes the stage for Making It! 2026 - a 2-day convergence of South Africa’s most exciting makers. The makers are gathering. Secure your ticket now: shorturl.at/Yhs8k

Craft and design are not niche in SA, they power livelihoods and drive innovation. #MakingIt2026 brings the sector together for 2 days of practical insight and honest conversation. Book now: shorturl.at/46gR0 #SouthAfricanMakers #CreativeEconomy #CraftAndDesign

Craft meets curiosity in Johannesburg this March. Making It! 2026 - two days of testing ideas & building what’s next for the creative sector. Join the conversation! Sign up for updates: shorturl.at/Z2N3M

Making It! 2026 lands 24–25 March at Kramerville Design District, JHB. Two days of connection, craft & momentum. Read the Sunday Times feature: shorturl.at/IhJ5k Get tickets here: shorturl.at/zlPrV #MakingIt2026 #CreativeEntrepreneurs #CDI #CreativeEconomy

Whether you are just starting out or years into your practice, MAKING IT! is a place to learn, share, and widen your circle. Join the mailing list at shorturl.at/pnIW3 and be the first to hear about programme highlights and speaker announcements.

📢Tickets for Making It! 2026 are officially open. Join makers, designers, buyers, funders & creative leaders shaping South Africa’s creative economy. 📍For more info and to sign up to the mailing list: shorturl.at/R4T7j 🎟️Secure your ticket: shorturl.at/e8It4

🚨 OCIF GROW deadline extended! 🚨 👉 SA entrepreneurs aged 18–35 now have more time to apply or up to R1 million in business innovation funding. 🗓 New deadline: 16 January 2026 🔗 shorturl.at/bM6Is #OCIFGROW #OrangeCorners #Entrepreneurship #CDI