Creative Cape Town

There’s nothing like a new space to inspire productivity and creativity and  The Western Cape craft producers and designer makers have something to celebrate this spring. The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI) has just launched a Creative Enterprise Training Unit.

The training unit will focus on training and skills development ,  creative inspiration, and offer a full programme of creativity and business development workshops. It will cover targeted programmes with  market support focus, events, networking meetings, monthly craft sector meetings and exhibitions.   There will also be space available for renting or short-term booking by other organisations.

The new venue in the Easty City District  was opened on Monday, 25 October, by Minister Alan Winde, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape.

The event was celebrated with the graduation of 41 craft producers who have, through the CCDI, completed accredited MAPPP Seta learnerships such as the NQF 2 in craft production, the NQF 4 in craft enterprise and the NQF 5 in craft operational management.

“In line with Strategic Objective One, the Province aims to grow the economy and create jobs through demand-led, private sector-driven government support to key growth sectors,” said Minister Winde. “Our craft sector, which is made up of small and micro-enterprises and provides significant opportunities to women, has flourished since the establishment of the CCDI. This new training facility will no doubt assist the sector to reach new heights, and we are very pleased to be a funder of it.”

“Training has been integral to the CCDI since it was established in 2001,” said Sarah Polonsky, manager of the CCDI’s Business Support programme.  ”The Creative Enterprise Training Unit, across the road from our existing Harrington Street headquarters, will allow us to expand on our existing training and workshop programmes and provide enhanced support to the growing number of Western Cape small business entrepreneurs in the fields of craft production and design.”

The number of Western Cape craft enterprises on the CCDI database has grown from 63 when it was set up in 2001, to around 1900 at present.

Email the CCDI for more information.