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	<title>Design News &#187; cdi</title>
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		<title>Meet the five female makers behind The Watershed Design Lab’s freshest crop of local brands</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/meet-the-five-female-makers-behind-the-watershed-design-labs-freshest-crop-of-local-brands/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/meet-the-five-female-makers-behind-the-watershed-design-labs-freshest-crop-of-local-brands/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2024 16:50:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[design lab]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=9767</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Judging by this year’s new set of brands participating in the Watershed Design Lab, the power of the local creative community to create original products with great business potential is on the rise, with female founders at the forefront of ingenuity and commercial potential. Entrepreneurs Nadia Appleby, Nomava Damoyi, Pai Kondile, Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana and Sam Olivier are embarking on a new chapter of sales experience, public exposure, and revenue generation as they take up a year-long residence at this living laboratory-cum-retail store. This programme by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) and V&#38;A Waterfront is supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and offers an entry point into the retail environment at a major tourist destination. The Watershed Design Lab has proven successful as a launching pad for emerging brands since 2021. The 2022-23 cohort generated more than R1,24 million in sales and two of the brand owners have since set up their own permanent stores at the V&#38;A Watershed.  Chosen for their creative mastery and entrepreneurial promise, each 2024 participant has walked a personal journey that has been integral in shaping their business and driving its success. Learn more about their compelling stories here:  Nadia Appleby of Meraki [...]]]></description>
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		<title>NEXT24 showcases 24 South African brands ready to take on the world</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/next24-showcases-24-south-african-brands-ready-to-take-on-the-world/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/next24-showcases-24-south-african-brands-ready-to-take-on-the-world/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 06:30:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Décor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=9286</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An exciting curated selection of craft and design brands from all corners of South Africa, chosen for their potential to enter the international market, will be on display as part of NEXT24, at Decorex Cape Town from 6-9 June 2024 at the CTICC. The annual NEXT trade exhibition, which was launched in 2018, is proudly presented by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), a South African non-profit with more than two decades of success in developing creative people, small businesses, and the craft and design sector at large throughout the country. The seventh iteration of NEXT will see 24 exhibitors showcasing their wares and is coordinated by the CDI’s Fran Stewart. The exhibition is aimed primarily at buyers who are sourcing for the global market but also accommodates interested local retailers. NEXT24 will introduce 12 new participants and will welcome back 12 former exhibitors. First-timers include former Design Indaba Emerging Creatives Leila Atelier and Ananta Design Studio, upcyclers Plasticity, uniquely African jewellery brands Ditakki and Zulu Mien, and Karoo Baba’s Merino sheepskin products. Overall, this year’s cohort places a strong focus on ethical design that ranges from the sourcing of materials to the crafting processes themselves, and prioritises quality over [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Get your budding business retail-ready by applying for the Watershed Design Lab</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/get-your-budding-business-retail-ready-by-applying-for-the-watershed-design-lab/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/get-your-budding-business-retail-ready-by-applying-for-the-watershed-design-lab/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 09:25:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cape Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[design lab]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local Retail Readiness Programme]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7505</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good news for creative entrepreneurs in Cape Town is that the Craft + Design Institute (CDI) and V&#38;A Waterfront is calling for a new group of Cape Town-based creative entrepreneurs to apply for their local retail readiness programme for 2022/23. &#160; If selected, the programme provides a full retail experience at an incubator store, known as the Design Lab, which is located at the V&#38;A’s design-forward Watershed shopping venue. It’s an incredible opportunity for local designers to receive the necessary support to experience a real-time retail environment, try their hand at selling and test products in the market. The programme also unlocks free training covering pricing, packaging, merchandising, product development and much more. In its current iteration, running from 2021 to September 2022, the programme is working with several creative brands and individuals whose products are showcased and sold at this living retail “design laboratory”. Current participants include Nondwe Nyathi, Jenine Allchin, Anele Nono, Malibongwe Nohesi, Ado Ludidi, Sizwe Shumane, and Richard Mandongwe, who are now “graduating” as they exit the programme in the next few months. &#160; “For me to be here at Design Lab,” says Shumane, “is a big thing for me. Ever since I started making my [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>New project readies local craft and design SMMEs for the US market</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/new-project-readies-local-craft-and-design-smmes-for-the-us-market/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/new-project-readies-local-craft-and-design-smmes-for-the-us-market/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:13:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aid To Artisans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Market Readiness Programme]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Craft and Design Institute]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) has partnered with Aid To Artisans (ATA) to bring their acclaimed e-Market Readiness Programme (eMRP) to South African creative businesses. This initiative has been made possible thanks to the support of the United States of America’s Diplomatic Mission to South Africa through the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town. In October 2021, over 80 Western and Eastern Cape businesses benefitted through a week of dynamic learning, information sharing, inspiration and networking. The next phase of the programme is now rolling out through one-on-one coaching and intensive support to ten local small businesses. The strategic partnership between CDI and ATA is focused on knowledge exchange and U.S. market access, and prepares South African entrepreneurs in the creative sector to successfully enter the rapidly evolving U.S. market. The creative entrepreneurs directly benefit from enhanced knowledge on trends, changes, and requirements of the U.S. market; engaging directly with U.S. industry experts and retail buyers; building their confidence to grow their businesses despite the impact of Covid-19. The seven-month programme includes the online U.S. eMarket Readiness Programme of webinars which took place in October; and a five-month Business Intensive process for the 10 selected businesses. The Business Intensive component includes small [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/new-project-readies-local-craft-and-design-smmes-for-the-us-market/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>New initiative will celebrate all things Cape Town to bolster economic recovery</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/new-initiative-will-celebrate-all-things-cape-town-to-bolster-economic-recovery/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/new-initiative-will-celebrate-all-things-cape-town-to-bolster-economic-recovery/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2021 12:49:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[city of cape town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Made in Cape Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Re:Solve Challenge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7195</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The announcement of COVID-19 Alert Level One in South Africa in October 2021 saw local businesses breathe a little easier as doors opened wider to broader economic opportunities. To support local businesses across the board, from one-person SMMEs to corporates, a number of key public, private and NPO stakeholders are joining forces to initiate a “Made in Cape Town” movement that will surface and celebrate products and services of a Cape Town origin. From left to right: Celebrating all things “Made in Cape Town” are Marco Morgan (Programme Specialist – Social Impact, V&#38;A Waterfront), RRLL participant Luvuyo Mpoza, Erica Elk (Group CEO of the CDI), Heath Nash (founder of “Our Workshop”) and fellow RRLL participant Mpilo Headman, with various items produced on site at the Langa-based centre. The “Made in Cape Town” movement is managed by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Enterprise and Investment Department. It aims to demonstrate the strength of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together to support the reopening of the economy. “The primary goal at this stage,” says Erica Elk, Group CEO of the CDI, “is to unearth and showcase what Cape Town [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/new-initiative-will-celebrate-all-things-cape-town-to-bolster-economic-recovery/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cape Town’s clothing, leatherwear, accessories and textile design companies get support for new jobs for youth and women</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/cape-towns-clothing-leatherwear-accessories-and-textile-design-companies-get-support-for-new-jobs-for-youth-and-women/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/cape-towns-clothing-leatherwear-accessories-and-textile-design-companies-get-support-for-new-jobs-for-youth-and-women/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2021 13:46:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accelerator programme]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clothing and textile sector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leatherwear]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7151</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the next three years, up to 60 Cape Town-based creative businesses and 200 learners will benefit from the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator. Local design companies in need of machinist capacity are urged to submit applications for support until 21 October 2021. The Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator is focused on creating employment opportunities in SMMEs for youth and women. The project is made possible thanks to the National Skills Fund in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and is implemented by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI). Businesses will benefit by taking on funded learners who are being trained as machinists for clothing, textiles, soft furnishings, leather and footwear. The learners will receive an NQF2 Certificate in Clothing Production which includes workplace, as well as classroom, training as part of a 12-month learnership. Business owners are supported through the Accelerator, to develop their human resource capacity – their systems and abilities to create new jobs, recruit new staff, induct and performance manage them. The learner will spend 75% of the time in the business and 25% of the time in the classroom. The qualification will equip the learner with the skills and knowledge to participate effectively in workplace [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/cape-towns-clothing-leatherwear-accessories-and-textile-design-companies-get-support-for-new-jobs-for-youth-and-women/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Entries for RE:SOLVE – a purpose-led innovation challenge that gives entrepreneurs funding for prototypes – are now open!</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/entries-for-resolve-a-purpose-led-innovation-challenge-that-gives-entrepreneurs-funding-for-prototypes-are-now-open/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/entries-for-resolve-a-purpose-led-innovation-challenge-that-gives-entrepreneurs-funding-for-prototypes-are-now-open/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:04:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cape Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cocreate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Re:Solve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Re:Solve Challenge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7098</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With South Africa facing numerous social and economic issues, many exacerbated by COVID-19, there is a real need for new ideas and innovative solutions to be fast-tracked. Enter the RE:SOLVE Challenge, an initiative that is designed to help South Africa’s innovative entrepreneurs to take their next steps. Now in its second iteration, RE:SOLVE has issued a Call for Entries for its next round of support and funding. Once the Call for Entries closes, 80 ideas presented by individuals or teams, will be shortlisted to participate in an eight-month programme. Following this, the most viable solutions will get the opportunity to prototype their ideas thanks to a share of a total of R100 000 in grant funding on offer. RE:SOLVE is funded by the City of Cape Town and managed by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), a non-profit company with 20 years of success in developing creative people, small businesses and the craft and design sector in South Africa. RE:SOLVE’s aim is to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals and teams to co-create bold solutions, with a focus on access to economic opportunities, quality healthcare, food security, and water and sanitation. With people at its heart, the Challenge will celebrate ideas [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/entries-for-resolve-a-purpose-led-innovation-challenge-that-gives-entrepreneurs-funding-for-prototypes-are-now-open/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>“Designing a brave post-COVID world” is the pertinent theme of this year’s #cocreateDESIGN FESTIVAL 2021, from 20-23 September 2021</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/designing-a-brave-post-covid-world-is-the-pertinent-theme-of-this-years-cocreatedesign-festival-2021-from-20-23-september-2021/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/designing-a-brave-post-covid-world-is-the-pertinent-theme-of-this-years-cocreatedesign-festival-2021-from-20-23-september-2021/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:28:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cocreate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[design festival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[designers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Netherlands Consulate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[private sector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7047</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is resoundingly clear that we need to act in very meaningful ways to address the issues that face us as a nation, and a planet. But we are also drowning in opinions masquerading as facts; not to mention the politics. Enter the fourth annual #cocreateDESIGN FESTIVAL, a local public event that consciously gathers together a diverse range of people, who may not often or easily come together, to have the difficult and uncomfortable conversations about South Africa’s biggest challenges. Secondly, the festival aims to support South African innovators and entrepreneurs to action their solutions to these issues. This year’s #cocreateDESIGN FESTIVAL runs from 20 &#8211; 23 September 2021, and takes participants on a deep dive into the major fault lines in South Africa – brutally exposed by the impact of COVID-19 – in order to stimulate ideas and action that result in inclusion and change. Private sector businesses, communities, designers, thinkers, do-ers, visionaries and policy makers from across the country and beyond are invited to participate in this collaborative public event. The “unconference” style of this year’s festival allows for small physical gatherings and site visits, online conversations, and facilitated design thinking sprints, all aimed at supporting local innovators [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/designing-a-brave-post-covid-world-is-the-pertinent-theme-of-this-years-cocreatedesign-festival-2021-from-20-23-september-2021/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Barons lead the charge for women and youth in the Western Cape’s Clothing and Textile Sector</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/barons-lead-the-charge-for-women-and-youth-in-the-western-capes-clothing-and-textile-sector/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/barons-lead-the-charge-for-women-and-youth-in-the-western-capes-clothing-and-textile-sector/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:14:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accelerator programme]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clothing and textile sector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[learnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skills development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMME]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[textile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7044</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hanover Park’s mother-and-daughter duo, Rene and Anusca Baron provide a sterling example of small business success for women within Cape Town’s communities, and demonstrate how an effectively implemented business accelerator programme has helped catalyse their growth. Mother Rene is a jeweller while daughter Anusca is a fashion designer. Together they are Baron Design House (www.barondesignhouse.com), a locally loved clothing, fashion accessories and jewellery brand. They fly the flag for upliftment against the odds and have grown a sustainable business despite the negative economic impact of the pandemic. They have shown it is possible to create employment for others within their own hard-hit community, tapping into local support being offered to clothing and textile SMMEs – most recently the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator project. This project, which is now open for another round of SMME applications, got underway in 2021 to boost skills development and capacitate Cape SMMEs to improve and grow production – creating jobs and accelerating the recovery of the clothing and textile sector locally. This dynamic duo’s story, one of starting out from humble beginnings and rising to meet the future, provides a “proof point” of inspiration for other small businesses &#8211; and especially those run by [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://designnews.co.za/barons-lead-the-charge-for-women-and-youth-in-the-western-capes-clothing-and-textile-sector/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Help is on the way for growing small businesses, thanks to CDI Capital Growth Fund’s aim of creating 600 new jobs by 2023</title>
		<link>http://designnews.co.za/help-is-on-the-way-for-growing-small-businesses-thanks-to-cdi-capital-growth-funds-aim-of-creating-600-new-jobs-by-2023/</link>
		<comments>http://designnews.co.za/help-is-on-the-way-for-growing-small-businesses-thanks-to-cdi-capital-growth-funds-aim-of-creating-600-new-jobs-by-2023/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:35:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Design News]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cdi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CDI Capital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craft + Design Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMME]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://designnews.co.za/?p=7014</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Despite the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and other shocks to our economy, there are green shoots of growth in some sectors &#8211; this includes, for example, small businesses who have focussed on ecommerce and digital services. Capitalising on and funding this growth potential will be key to rebuilding the local economy. With this in mind, the CDI Capital Growth Fund has opened for grant funding applications. Small businesses that are experiencing growth or are poised for expansion in any sector and can create jobs are encouraged to apply. CDI Capital is a niche emerging impact funder, and subsidiary of the Craft + Design Institute (CDI) non-profit, which has a 20-year track record of success in supporting small businesses in South Africa. As an impact funder, CDI Capital is committed to creating positive social and economic impact in the SMME sector and the South African economy. From 2012 -2015, CDI Capital Growth Fund created 464 jobs in 45 businesses with participating businesses growing their combined annual revenue by 73% – exceeding the fund’s initial targets. The current round of funding, supported by the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund, aims to support up to 60 businesses to create 600 new jobs by 31 [...]]]></description>
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