Curious to know more about the craft and design scene throughout South Africa? Be sure to take a peek at some of my snap shots taken from my recent trip. 10 days, 4 cities, it was a whirlwind but maximized by time traveling with colleagues from SWIFT and the South African Trade Hub, visiting numerous artisan workshops, design studios, and manufacturers both large and small. Don't have time to travel but need help finding reliable and export ready suppliers for your new collection, retail or wholesale company? Be in touch to figure out the best way to work together.

AOW connects with Fran Stewart of The Cape Craft + Design Institute NPC (CCDI), a leading sector and enterprise development agency in South Africa with a mission to develop capable people and build responsible, sustainable, and profitable creative enterprises trading within local and international markets. The CCDI supports the development of start-ups as well as established and exporting enterprises operating in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, operating in craft, design, light manufacturing, and related sectors where creativity and design can commercialize innovation. CCDI’s services help businesses develop the right product for the right market using appropriate business and production systems. CCDI links entrepreneurs into ever-expanding national and international networks of market opportunities, putting them on a growth and profitability path.