At a media breakfast on May 14, 2024, the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, along with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), announced the 12 entrepreneur finalists advancing to Création Africa’s final incubation and immersion stage. The event was attended by David Martinon, the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
Création Africa is part of a continent-wide initiative launched in 2023 by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It targets the cultural and creative industries in 16 African countries, aiming to foster entrepreneurship and creative industries across the continent.
The R24-million Création Africa programme seeks to strengthen cultural cooperation between France, Lesotho, Malawi, and South Africa by supporting local cultural and creative talents. From an initial shortlist of 40 businesses, selected for a month-long training and pitching session, 12 promising ventures have now been chosen for the incubation and immersion phase.
The finalists, comprising one from Lesotho, two from Malawi, and nine from South Africa, are entrepreneurs excelling in fashion, design, audio-visual, video games, and music. A third of these initiatives are led by women.
The 12 finalists are:
Ananta Design Studio – Viveka and Rucita Vassen, design – Cape Town, South Africa
GIYA – Giyani Mashimbye and Cassandra Twala, design – Johannesburg, South Africa
Kwacha Creative Studios – Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba and Rafik Seleman, audio-visual – Blantyre, Malawi
LSJ Clothing and Merchandising – Julian Kubel, fashion – Johannesburg, South Africa
Moodswing – Jimmy Muteba, music and media – Johannesburg, South Africa
Pineapple on Pizza Studios – Kushal Jeethendra Sithlu, gaming – Johannesburg, South Africa
Renaissance Design – Glorinah Khutso Mabaso, design – Pretoria, South Africa
SourceCode Motion Pictures – Katleho Monyako, audiovisual – Maseru, Lesotho
SpaceSalad Studios – Thabo Tsolo, gaming – Johannesburg, South Africa
Tendalo Trading – Xolile Mabuza, fashion – Mbombela, South Africa
Terry Made Designs – Terrence Thobani Ngulube, fashion – Blantyre, Malawi
THEBE MAGUGU – Thebe Magugu, fashion – Johannesburg, South Africa
More details on the entrepreneurs can be found at: Création Africa Network.
Over the next five months, these finalists will undergo an incubation program designed to elevate their creative ventures. This includes strategic guidance, tailored training, exposure, and networking opportunities with French and international cultural and creative industry experts and investors. They will also receive financial grants ranging from €30,000 to €50,000.
Each business will be supported by three dedicated mentors through weekly personalized mentorship sessions and group sessions. They will complete online entrepreneurship training to enhance their skills and business acumen. Additionally, they will participate in masterclasses with French and international industry leaders.
Création Africa’s success is driven by partnerships with UVU Africa’s business development and incubation division (UVU Accelerate) and the French public investment bank Bpifrance. As the entrepreneurs move forward, Bpifrance will connect them with a global network of partners and investors to unlock investment opportunities.
Ambassador Martinon congratulated the finalists, acknowledging their talent, dedication, and potential. He emphasized the importance of business acceleration programs in the cultural and creative industries, stating that investment in ecosystems, skills development, and innovation can drive sustainable economic growth and job creation. He highlighted the goal of providing a holistic support system that equips these entrepreneurs with the competitive edge, industry insights, and networking opportunities necessary for their success.
