Capitec, South Africa’s leading digital bank, and handmadeAFRICA have partnered to introduce an exciting new boutique retail experience for South African shoppers. The experience will showcase the finest pan-African design, meticulously selected for its ethically and sustainably produced craftsmanship. By partnering with much-loved annual events around the country, Capitec handmadeAFRICA will add a super-luxe design dimension to each occasion.
Asha Patel, Head of Brand and Communications at Capitec says “Capitec believes in the power of African ingenuity and entrepreneurship. So, this collaboration with handmadeAFRICA will help us showcase the incredible talent across our continent. By supporting these creators and small businesses, we’re celebrating our rich cultural heritage and investing in the future of African commerce. We’re excited to offer this exciting experience to South African shoppers and support African creativity.”
Celebrating African culture and creativity
Capitec handmadeAFRICA, which disrupts the traditional model of hosting a fair in the same venue every year, will travel to trademark cities and towns, bringing a flourish of contemporary design to the doorstep of people investing in Africa’s creative heritage.
Garreth van Niekerk, Creative Director of handmadeAFRICA, says the boutique retail experience will showcase collectables from Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town, Dakar and further afield, from fashion and accessories to jewellery, home décor and beauty. “This experience eliminates the hassle of shipping fees, quality concerns and sizing issues that often come with online platforms – leaving shoppers to delight in the joys of a first-hand tactile shopping experience.”
The first event is a partnership with Good Neighbours, an annual programme of music, poetry and food from the African continent scheduled for Sunday 13 October at the NIROX Sculpture Park.
Designers whose products will be available at the first edition of Capitec handmadeAFRICA include some of the biggest and most innovative emerging designers in Africa, like LRNCE, Dye Lab, Adele Dejak, Neimil, BAM Collective, Lukhanyo Mdinigi, Hassan Hajjaj, Katush, Kind Kid and many others.
Van Niekerk says, “The real heart of our work is in establishing direct relationships with makers and building a network of designers across the continent, so that we can contribute towards sustaining Africa’s creative wealth. And in Capitec, we have been fortunate to find a partner who shares a common purpose.”
He adds that Capitec handmadeAFRICA removes the barriers to entry into new markets for small enterprises. “We take care of the administrative challenges of transacting across the continent and circumvent the need for makers to shoulder the financial burden of travelling to South Africa. This makes it a more affordable route to market, facilitates the discovery of new talent and supports the development of emerging creators.”
A unique African-inspired experience
Patel says Capitec handmadeAFRICA represents a significant step in Capitec’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and celebrating African creativity. “Capitec aims to empower small businesses, the backbone of the South African economy. The more we back SMMEs, the more opportunity for growth and employment. We want to help SMMEs bank better by offering innovative solutions that put their business first. Our partnership with handmadeAFRICA will help us to uplift and encourage entrepreneurship, especially in the creative space. We want to use our platform to celebrate these businesses, tell their stories and ultimately, help them grow.”
Click here for more information about the Capitec handmadeAfrica x Good Neighbours event and to purchase tickets