Making It

All eyes have been on our main stage, where fabric, furniture and lighting came together in a showcase of expert craftsmanship and considered design. A big thank you to @fabricbank_ for the beautiful, bespoke draping, and to @dokterandmisses for their incredible furniture that brought the space to life! ✨ We’re so grateful for their support in making our stage unforgettable💛 Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CapeTownCreatives #CraftAndDesign #HandsOnMaking @craft_and_design_institute @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa @weylandtshome

Hosted by Hasso Plattner d–school Afrika*, this session introduced participants to the Design Thinking mindset—a practical approach for creating innovative solutions at the intersection of human values, business, and technology. Participants were encouraged to explore the conference programme and their own work through a hands-on, solutions-focused lens. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CapeTownCreatives #CraftAndDesign #HandsOnMaking

Powerhouse insights from The Brand Playbook: Story, Strategy & Market! This session brought together veteran brand leaders — Beth Arendse @betharendse_ Heidi Brauer ( @heidiasinlady ), and Janet Kinghorn ( @janetkinghorn )— to share the practical strategies, persistence, and layered approach needed to turn ordinary products into distinctive brands. From refining your business model to crafting a #brand story that truly resonates, this session delivered the tools and mindset every emerging entrepreneur needs to build with confidence and make a lasting #impact Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CapeTownCreatives #CraftAndDesign #HandsOnMaking @craft_and_design_institute @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa @weylandtshome

Big energy for the second day of the @designweeksouthafrica Morning Sessions in the beautiful @weylandtshome space unpacking The Shape of Us — Designing cities that truly work for our communities. Brilliantly moderated by @margot_molyneux , with insights from @biellebellingham and @mphovackier A grounded, future-focused exchange on designing urban spaces that actually reflect the people who use them, not just the plans on paper. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CraftAndDesign #CreativeEconomy #FutureOfMaking #LivingHeritage

Entrepreneurship lives at the intersection of creativity and courage. 🎨 💪 That’s why we’re proud to sponsor Making iT! 2026. We're even prouder to be showcasing the powerful work of celebrated Ndebele artist @sophienosinkymahlangu_ at our stand. Her art is more than expression. It’s a legacy of craft, culture and resilience where everyday materials become bold statements of identity and economic empowerment. Because across South Africa, makers aren’t just creating beautiful things. They’re building businesses. They’re shaping communities. They’re carving out their own path. By partnering with the craft and design community, we aim to support entrepreneurs who are turning passion into sustainable businesses. Because when makers are Made to Make it, they deserve tools that help them thrive. 📸: @aletpretorius

What a beautiful way to close out the day! 🥂 An evening of connection and celebration at @katyspalacebar bringing makers together to mark 25 years of impact ! Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #WhereMakersMeet #CraftAndDesign

From bold experimentation to living cultural memory, today brought ideas, #innovation and hands-on making together. During lunch, #makers watched Crafting a Living Heritage by Motlatjo Mogoboya, sharing the story of women in Limpopo preserving traditions through embroidery and turning their panels into living records of community history. Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt with Sinegugu Ngxongo , and Nthati Machesa, explored how AI, robotics, biofabrication, and XR are opening new possibilities for #craft and design, blending tradition with forward-thinking experimentation. Carlyn Frittelli Davies with Sanskruti Shukla , Cyril Naicker, Wacy Zacarias and Mahlatse Mohlala ( @greenroutehemp ) showed how local and indigenous materials—from hemp and wool to recycled resources—can be used responsibly, with ethics, circularity, and community at the heart of creative practice. Day 1 proved that #craft and design thrive where #innovation meets responsibility and creativity meets action. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CraftAndDesign #CreativeEconomy #FutureOfMaking #LivingHeritage

The Block Printing MAKEshop by @imbalivisualliteracyproject was hands-on and full of creativity 🎨 15 participants got to explore the basics of block printing and left with their very own individually printed tote bag. A perfect mix of learning, making, and taking a little piece of the workshop home. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #MakingIt2026 #CapeTownCreatives #CraftAndDesign #HandsOnMaking @craft_and_design_institute @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa @weylandtshome

Day 1 of the Making It Cape Town Watch Party was full of energy and big ideas 🔥 Cape Town makers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs gathered at the CDI Hub, Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, to stream the main stage from Johannesburg, join local discussions, and connect with fellow creatives. Bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and lively conversations set the tone for an exciting two-day experience. Can’t wait to see what Day 2 brings! #makingit2026 #capetowncreatives #craftanddesign #creativeeconomy @craft_and_design_institute @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa

Heritage, lives in the hands of the people who keep #making 🧵 Custodians of Craft: Preserving Culture in Fast-Moving Design Economies followed that thread, exploring how cultural memory is protected, knowledge is passed on, and tradition finds new expression in #contemporarydesign With insights from Motsane Seabela ( @motsane23 ), Mbali Mthethwa ( @theherd.studio ), @beautyngxongo and Memorial Mnguni ( @biyelamnguni ), the conversation showed how legacy and innovation can move together, shaping a future that remembers where it started. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #makingit2026 #creativeeconomy #craftanddesign #culturalheritage @craft_and_design_institute @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa

Trends come and go but good thinking sticks. Against Trends: Consumer Behaviour & Designing Beyond the Cycle was a smart, straight-talking session on how trends are made, why we don’t have to follow them, and what it takes to #design with real intention. Moderated by @biellebellingham (Brand & Business Director at @chommiescom ), with sharp perspectives from Khensani Mohlatlole ( @okbaddiek ), Irene Vermeulen ( craftscurator ) and Ntombi Khambule ( @n_khambule ). The focus was simple: understand people properly, make things that last, and stop designing for the scroll. Turns out the real flex is building work that still matters next year. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #makingit2026 #creativeeconomy #designthinking #southafricanmakers @jozi_my_jozi @w_rseta @gautengsacr @joburg_artsalive @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @iqoqo_za @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa

Today marks a powerful moment for South Africa’s creative and cultural landscape, as makers, thinkers and institutions gather across the @kramervilledesigndistrict to honour heritage, spark new ideas and shape the future of craft and design. From bold conversations to hands-on making and shared celebration, this is what a living, evolving creative ecosystem looks like in action. Image Credit: @aletpretorius #makingit #creativeeconomy #cdi @sophienosinkymahlangu_ @gautengsacr @artsalivejoburg @kramervilledesigndistrict @katyspalacebar @levelthreevenue @timesliveza @designweeksouthafrica @dsbd_sa