The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) proudly marks 25 years of championing South Africa’s creative economy with Making It! 2026, a two-day celebration of design, craft, and entrepreneurship in the heart of the Kramerville Design District from 24-25 March 2026.
Since its establishment, the CDI has transformed the craft and design sector from a modest network of 63 makers in 2001 to a vibrant community of over 8,300 creatives across all nine provinces. Through strategic support, skills development, and market access, the CDI has helped countless makers turn their creativity into sustainable businesses, creating jobs and generating hundreds of millions in revenue.
“The most important lesson we learnt in the early days – and which continues to be reinforced today – is that building sustainable businesses takes time; it’s a journey, not a destination,” says Erica Elk, founding CEO of the CDI. “With curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to learn, the magic happens.”
Making It! 2026 brings together emerging and established designers, innovators, educators, investors, and policymakers for focused conversations, practical exchanges, live demonstrations, and immersive experiences. Over two days, participants will explore how heritage and craftsmanship intersect with innovation, discover new ways of making, and experience the transformative power of collaboration.
Highlights include:
- MakeSHOPS that honour traditional craft techniques and contemporary innovation.
- Live demonstrations that reveal the process behind the work of South Africa’s leading makers.
- Interactive sessions where knowledge, skills, and market insights are shared across generations of creative entrepreneurs.
“We need human connection, we need each other,” Elk emphasises. “Gatherings like this can provide the most significant injection of energy and insight that you don’t even know you’re missing. For 25 years, the CDI has been creating these spaces through our Creative Exchanges – and Making It! 2026 is a milestone moment to bring this celebration to Johannesburg.”
The event underscores the importance of creativity in addressing South Africa’s economic challenges, particularly for women and young people, while highlighting the global demand for authentic, ethically produced design. Making It! celebrates not just individual breakthroughs, but the consistent passion, effort, and vision that drive South Africa’s creative sector.
The conference will be held within Level Three – boasting spectacular views across Sandton – with an evening reception at the iconic Katy’s Palace Bar. Both venues are in Kramerville Design District – one of South Africa’s most recognisable design destinations.
Tickets for Making It! 2026 are available via Quicket
- Virtual attendance: from R850
- In-person attendance: from R2,500 for two days
- CDI members receive a 20% discount on in-person tickets
For more information or to book tickets, visit making-it.org.za.
Making It! is presented by the Craft and Design Institute, in partnership with Jozi My Jozi, W&R Seta, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, City of Joburg & Arts Alive, the Kramerville Design District and IQOQO with Arena Holdings as a media partner.
The CDI is a craft and design sector development agency with a mission to develop capable people and build responsible, creative and innovative enterprises trading within local and international markets.
