Africa Creatives

Check out the incredible judges for the final pitch competition at the bootcamp. With less than a week left for you to apply and limited space available, make sure you confirm your place before 4th Nov.

With less than a month to go and with limited space, make sure you apply before the 4th Nov!
Africa Creatives Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 13-15 Nov in JHB.

Happy 4th Birthday to a great friend and partner of ours - SA Creative Network

Africa Creatives' Founder had the honor of meeting Pharrell Williams. Pharrell was in South Africa for his collaboration with retailer Woolworths, on the "Are you with us?" campaign. It's a campaign that spans across a series of sustainability-focused projects.

"I have always been inspired by Pharrell. He has remained relevant and authentic over the past decade; and more importantly has contributed immensely to popular culture. He truly is a creative genius. When I was invited by the US Ambassador to South Africa, Patrick H. Gaspard, to meet Pharrell, I was privileged enough to share with him some of the work that Africa Creatives is doing and asked him to share his thoughts on the future of Africa's creative industry. I was left re-energized and inspired after chatting with him." said Africa Creatives Founder, Kgomotso (Mots) Tabane.

Pharrell was complementary of Africa's creative industry. He said that as the industry starts to organize itself better, we will start to realize the value that it can bring to the continent. It is then that we will also start to see art diversify. There was however one cautionary note from Pharrell about the industry. He spoke about how some of the art and creative work coming from the continent was art that pushes identity and is often reactive to the social environment; which is indicative of something, a need, that is not being met. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this type of art, it often over shadows and screams louder than the art and creative work that is not as reactive and stems from a purer and more authentic place. He also spoke of how it is time that we as Africans stop allowing the rest of the world to tell our story.

The thing that resonated the most with the Africa Creatives team, is that Africa's creative industry does indeed need to organize itself better and start shaping its own narrative in order to derive value and reach its fullest potential.

Congratulations to Dasia Lutova, who is the winner of Africa Creatives' and Hello Ambassador's competition. She will attend Africa Creatives next bootcamp.
Here are some of Dasia's thoughts on the local creative industry:
"I would love to experience an African Creative boot camp! I think what local creatives need the most is the confidence to respect ourselves on a global level. Too many creatives are gunning for international recognition and approval as if an exhibition in London is worth something more than one in Johannesburg. Once we stop looking to the international stage for approval, we can create authentic work."

We just received an interesting (and fair) question: Are white Africans allowed to apply?
The answer is yes. EVERYONE is welcome regardless of race, gender, background or country of origin.
Africa Creatives is for anyone who believes in the potential of the creative industry in Africa and wants to see it and its entrepreneurs progress. Creativity knows no boundaries and neither do we.
If you have any questions email us on [email protected]

Africa Creatives would like to congratulate the winners of our last bootcamp! Their business idea generated at the bootcamp has received funding from the United States African Development Foundation. The Africa Creatives team is very proud Sapho, Basi and Success.
Keep an eye out for information about our next bootcamp and the launch of our online portal!

"The challenges of Africa demand the qualities and spirit of youth, their quality of imagination and their appetite for adventure over the ease of life." Happy Youth Day!

Happy Africa Day! Here's to all the creative souls that have helped shape a positive narrative for Africa through their writing, photography, art, design and music.

BootCamp Day 3 : Final Pitch Competition