CT designers and crafters to exhibit at Decorex

Cape Town - Ten craft and designers from Cape Town will showcase their products at the Decorex expo, which will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Gauteng from 5 to 9 August 2016.

These designers and crafters form part of the Cape Craft + Design Institute (CCDI) market programme for small businesses.

The organisation supports emerging businesses by facilitating market opportunities such as local and international consumer and trade events, craft markets, pop-up stores at conferences and shows, as well as inward and outward-bound trade missions.

Decorex is one of the platforms that the CCDI facilitates in order to showcase talented local designers.

The CCDI as the craft and design sector development agency describes itself as playing a pivotal 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.

Selection criteria

The designers are selected based on their high quality products and their ability to produce in reasonable quantities to be able to cater for a market size of Decorex.

"The products, although generally contemporary in feel have strong African undertones," said Fran Stewart, market support programme manager at CCDI.

Steward said these businesses are all tax compliant and have relevant financial and paperwork in place, which he said is very important for a small business to have in order to remain sustainable.

The Department of Small Business, as the coordinator of South African Craft Collective, was also instrumental in the selection process.

The ten participants attending Decorex are:

Mathokoza Nhlapo of Sithabe African Craft: Beaded South African cultural crafts and products.

Razaan Jakoet of Chic Fusion: Products made from wool felt and natural fibres; 

Willard Musarurwa of Feeling African: High-end wire furniture;

Bonga Jwambi of Bonga Jwambi Designs: Trendy upcycled furniture;

There are also six producers that specialise in ceramics

Zizipho Poswa of Imiso Ceramics: Hand-pinched ceramic bowls and plates;

Ursula Dale of Ursh Works Ceramics: Decorative bowls and plates;

Madoda Fani of Fani Ceramics: Decorative clay pots and vessels;

Ntsindiso Nqakaza of Ndiso Designs: Ceramic products and wall coverings and

Johan de Meyer of Proudly Macassar Pottery: Musical instruments such clay UDU drums and flutes.

"Over the years we have seen our members enjoy success from participating in trade and consumer shows such as Decorex and the SARCDA gift, toy, décor and design trade show.

"These platforms have been great for participants in terms of securing actual orders, developing solid trade relationships and generating very promising leads," said Stewart.

"They also change the entrepreneurs’ perceptions of their businesses and demonstrate what they can achieve when strategically positioning their businesses in the market," she concluded.