34 South African cultural and creative entrepreneurs have been given the opportunity of a lifetime that will help not only their businesses but their role in boosting our creative economy!
Global (27 March 2024) — 34 South African cultural and creative entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for a big break in the world of business thanks to the Création Africa programme!
A ground-breaking initiative for creative entrepreneurs launched by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2023, the call for the 2024 school of applicants went out to hopeful participants from Lesotho, Malawi and South Africa earlier this year.
Multiple promising initiatives and businesses came forth, with around 702 applications. But, only 40 made the final cut.
Out of that slice of the pie, 34 were South African applicants, 4 were from Malawi, and 2 were from Lesotho.
The selected applicants will now take part in an intensive month-long mentoring programme facilitated by NGO UVU Africa. The programme is set to include a wide range of topics, including business planning, marketing, corporate finance, sales, access to funding, and in-depth insights into cultural and creative ecosystems.
In more exciting news, the shortlist invites room for further creative and entrepreneurial growth beyond the mentorship, thanks to the excitement surrounding Création Afria’s next leg. This would see 12 of the 40 creative entrepreneurs graduate into a 5-month incubation programme that would help them access worldwide partnerships and networking opportunities!
“The ultimate objective of Création Africa is to establish an ecosystem that identifies and nurtures cultural initiatives and enables Africa’s emerging creative and cultural entrepreneurs to make a sustainable and sustaining impact on their national and regional economies, and on Africa’s continental economy,” says David Martinon, Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.
Of those shortlisted, 35% lead projects spanning fashion and design, 32.5% lead audiovisual and media projects, 10% lead video game projects, and the remainder made of those involved with music, literature, visual arts, performing arts and multidisciplinary ventures.
Power to more creative entrepreneurs!
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 