City supports up-and-coming ‘Made in Cape Town’ businesses with real-world experience

This week, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, met with creative entrepreneurs taking part in the Design Lab, a practical learning workshop in the ‘Made in Cape Town’ movement. Read more below:

The City is a proud founding member of the movement, which showcases and supports locally made products and services. Managed by the local government’s Special Business Partner, the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), ‘Made in Cape Town’ aims to demonstrate the strength of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together to stimulate the local economy.

‘The Design Lab (formerly called the Retail Readiness Living Lab) is a fantastic example of this public-private partnership as it is hosted at the V&A Waterfront. These up-and-coming business owners get a real-life experience of running a store in a supported environment and in one of the continent’s premier shopping hubs,’ said Alderman Vos.

The programme includes individual business assessments and training in merchandising, sales techniques, stock-taking and banking.

The 13 participants include Jenine Allchin of SA Doek, who photographs and prints designs on fabrics, Indwe Designs’ Nondwe Nyati, a designer who recycles leather off-cuts and beads, and Heath Nash who makes decorative homeware products such as lampshades from waste materials.

‘I am confident that the ‘Made in Cape Town’ message will amplify the City of Cape Town’s own economic initiatives to boost the economy, despite the national lockdown, and galvanise both local businesses and supporters within all Mother City communities.’

To raise awareness of Made in Cape Town, the CDI is conducting a survey online at MadeInCapeTown.org.za and in person at the V&A Waterfront’s Watershed with students from False Bay College’s Tourism and Hospitality department. All survey participants will be entered into a draw to win shopping gift vouchers valued at up to R1000.

‘Supporting local isn’t just about one business. When we buy Cape Town-made goods, more of our money goes back into our communities and our economy. And there’s no better time to start than now,’ said Alderman Vos.