We’ve just wrapped up a two-day lean fundamentals programme with 30 of our members.
Several insights emerged across the two days. Value is defined by the customer, not by the effort or intention behind the work. Waste hides in plain sight, often in steps so routine they are no longer questioned. Small, incremental changes compound into significant results over time. Improvements that are not standardised quietly disappear the moment attention shifts elsewhere. Meaningful change rarely requires significant investment; it requires observation, honest conversation, and the willingness to try.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was that the people closest to the work are the true experts. They notice what others miss, and empowering those voices is where real improvement begins.
A sincere thank you to the facilitator, Robin Archer, for guiding the two days with patience, humour, and expertise. Thank you to Ciovita for generously hosting the group at their venue and allowing the factory tour, which connected the learning to the shop floor.
Finally, thank you to all the cluster members who participated. Your insight, engagement, and energy were sincerely appreciated.
Cybercrime is no longer an isolated IT issue, it is now a core business risk!
As firms adopt more digital tools, cloud systems and AI driven platforms, the risk of cyber threats continues to grow. Phishing, ransomware and system breaches are already affecting organisations, and resilience can no longer be an afterthought.
Join our upcoming webinar with KPMG South Africa experts Déan Friedman, Rupesh Vashist and Sameer Vyadally as they unpack:
• The latest cyber threats facing businesses
• Practical ways to reduce risk
• How to strengthen resilience and protect operational continuity
Secure your spot now to strengthen your defence against cybercrime here: https://zurl.co/Xp5mF
Last week our Cape Acceler8 SMEs came together for a hands-on workshop focused on strengthening their product development capability, a critical step for micro and small manufacturers looking to scale into the formal retail value chain.
Facilitated by Shaheeda September, a seasoned industry expert with decades of experience working with some of South Africa's largest clothing and textile manufacturers, the session unpacked the fundamentals of comparator shopping and building strong tech packs.
The session helped SMEs answer the foundational question: "Can I make this product well and profitably?".
Through group exercises, participants analysed real garments, identified the machines and operations required to reproduce them, explored line balancing and operator allocation in order to set a sustainable Standard Minute Value (SMV) for the garment.
A big thank you to Shaheeda for sharing her expertise so generously, and to the SMEs for their energy and curiosity throughout the day.
Sustainability and Competitiveness must work together.
That was the focus of our April Shared Learning webinar, held on World Earth Day.
The session explored how manufacturers can align sustainability and competitiveness to reduce costs, improve efficiency, strengthen margins and build long term business advantage.
Thank you to Chapwa Seyuba from ITL Group and Andrew Michael from RESRG Automotive for sharing practical insights on turning sustainability into measurable operational progress.
One of the most important things is staying close to the people doing the actual work and bringing those experiences together to shape our collective voice.
CCTC Connect brings that into focus by creating space for manufacturers across clothing, textile, footwear and leather to share their realities.
A panel of manufacturers, from small to medium and large, will speak to what it actually looks like to run a business in the sector today. The challenges. The gaps in support. The resilience that often goes unrecognised.
If you are part of the sector, this conversation is for you. Be inspired, learn, and connect with peers shaping the sector.
Link in bio to register.
On World Earth Day, join us for an insightful online Zoom webinar that will explore how sustainability and competitiveness should be focused on together to create strategic advantage.
The webinar will involved insights from Chapwa Seyuba at ITL – Intelligent Label Solutions, and Andrew Meikle at RESRG Automotive. They will unpack their firm’s approach and share how other firms can align and advance sustainability and competitiveness simultaneously.
📅 22 April 2026
🕚 11:00 – 12:00 (SAST)
💻 Online Webinar
The session will provide practical insights into embedding sustainability into your core operations to drive performance, unlock value, and strengthen your firm’s market positioning.
Register now to secure your place: /SustainabilityCompetitivenessatITLRESRG#/
While uncertainty and challenges remain for South Africa, the February 2026 Manufacturing Meetup with Bruce Whitfield reframed the conversation around finding opportunities in the chaos!
Bruce, an award winning author and speaker, highlighted the importance of shifting from anxiety to informed opportunism. He outlined his PDA (Perception => Decision => Action) Framework, where your Perception of the world directly determines the Decisions you make, which in turn determines your Actions.
By improving how you perceive reality, and seeing opportunities rather than just obstacles, Bruce emphasised that we can make better decisions and take bolder, more effective actions to address challenges and seize opportunities.
The message was clear - Growth is a choice with leaders empowered to act decisively while others remain paralysed by the environment.
The session with Bruce highlighted several key takeaways points👇
We’re looking forward to kicking off our first Shared Learning Webinar of 2026 with Bruce Whitfield, exploring South Africa’s future.
As uncertainty and disruption continue to impact South Africa’s business landscape, the ability to identify opportunity where others see chaos has become a critical leadership advantage.
Join us on 4 February 2026 for an inspiring, optimistic future-focused session with Bruce - winner of the 2025 UK Speaker Award for Thought Leadership, award-winning speaker, and best-selling author.
Renowned for challenging assumptions and cutting through the noise, Bruce shows how volatility can be transformed into opportunity.
In this webinar, Bruce will unpack how clarity, resilience, and decisive thinking help leaders and organisations stay ahead in volatile environments.
Secure your place and start 2026 with fresh and positive perspective on the future.
Register here 👇
https://zurl.co/XlyWg
The message from our recent AI Road Mapping webinar was clear and urgent: Delay the Journey, and You Fall Behind!
Dr Kruschen Govender, TFG’s Research Head for the Future of Manufacturing at TWIMS, unpacked an agile, reality-based approach to AI adoption. His roadmap recognises that AI evolves fast, so plans need to move with it, helping firms navigate shifting tools, models and use cases with confidence.
💡Key takeaways from the session highlight and outline the mindset, structures and early steps manufacturers need to turn AI from uncertainty into practical impact: 👇🤖
Bruce Whitfield on South Africa's Future: Optimism and seeing opportunity where others see chaos is the strategic edge we need.
Start your 2026 with an inspiring session with Bruce Whitfield, winner of the 2025 UK Speaker Award for Thought Leadership, as he reveals how clarity, resilience and sharp decision-making help leaders stay ahead when uncertainty dominates.
Bruce is an award-winning speaker and best-selling author who challenges assumptions, cuts through noise and shows how organisations turn volatility into opportunity.
Join us on 4 February 2026 at 12pm for a future focused session on leading with confidence and uncovering opportunity amid uncertainty.
Register here👇
https://zurl.co/c2tTk
Learning to See - Lean in Action
The Cape Acceler8 cohort reconvened on 19 November for our Lean Fundamentals Workshop!
We unpacked the heart of Lean: understanding new concepts of the term ‘customer’, identifying value, learning to see waste in our processes, and empowering teams to solve problems where the work happens.
From value stream mapping to 5S to our lively paper-plane kaizen simulation, the room was buzzing with ideas, questions, reflections and “aha!” moments. Most importantly, we saw participants begin connecting Lean thinking to their own businesses - and how small, consistent changes can unlock big improvements.
What stood out most was the willingness to learn, share and experiment. The energy in the room grew throughout the day – and so did the confidence that Lean isn’t about big budgets or complex systems, but simple discipline, teamwork and continuous improvement.
Our recent Shared Learning Manufacturing Meetup webinar looked at practical insights to Industrial Wastewater Management. It highlighted how firms can strengthen resilience through smarter water use and management.
Four core focus areas:
🔹 Wastewater management as a driver of sustainability and compliance
🔹 Water recovery to reduce consumption and manage rising water costs
🔹 Accurate measurement and monitoring to guide effective treatment system design
🔹 Collaborative river and wastewater management to reduce repair costs and protect at risk communities
Participants gained practical takeaways through shared experiences, real system examples, and discussion on designing for reuse and safe discharge.
💡 Strategic water management supports efficiency, cost stability and long term sustainability.
Here are the key learnings:
