About CCDI

The Cape Craft & Design Institute

The Cape Craft & Design Institute (CCDI) was set up in 2001 to promote and grow craft as an economic sector in the Western Cape province of South Africa. A Section 21 not-for-profit company, the CCDI is a joint initiative of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The CCDI has also been adopted by the dti as a model Craft Hub, to serve as a template for the establishment of other similar craft institutes in the other provinces of South Africa.

Why does the Western Cape need a Craft Institute?

About 40000 people work in the craft sector in South Africa and contribute R2 billion a year to the economy. Crafters range from the lone roadside wire artist to the hundreds of women making beadwork for a non-profit project or the potter who runs a well-equipped studio producing high-value items. For thousands of poor people in the Western Cape, craft is an entry point into the mainstream economy. Yet these crafters often do not know how to market their goods, raise bank loans or improve their skills and products. With this in mind, the provincial government commissioned a research study of the craft sector in 2000. The result was a recommendation to set up an institute to develop Cape Craft.

What does the CCDI Do?

The CCDI supports craft producers and helps to network all players in the product-to-market chain. This includes craft producers and designer-makers, retailers, marketing agents, exporters and service providers such as designers, product developers, skills trainers, business development practitioners and mentors. Government and other funders form a vital part of this collaboration, to build relationships across sectors.

CCDI Programmes

The CCDI has 3 main programmes ...

1. Creativity, Design and Innovation

Product support where crafters can discuss their product, how to improve it and how to target the appropriate market
Workshops and other programmes to develop creativity, design and innovation, as well as workshops to develop products for niche markets such as the corporate gifts, conferences, tourism and other
The AMTS FabLab offers design software, which links digitally to manufacturing technology, such as a laser cutter, sign cutter, milling machine, and other
A resource center, to browse through books, magazines and the Internet to get ideas and inspiration.

2. Enterprise Development & Training programme

Learnerships to develop crafters' skills in design, business management, production and marketing
A winter school featuring short courses
An analysis of your business to highlight your strengths, and point out the next steps to grow your business
Mentoring and counselling for craft enterprises.

3. Market Access programme

Assists crafters to define their targeted niche market and to reach it, such as décor & home ware, fashion accessories & jewellery, gifts & memorabilia, craftart, corporate gifts, etc
Links crafters to local craft markets, retail outlets and gallery shops
Crafters' work is shown at local and national consumer shows as well as national and international trade shows
Assists crafters to make the transition to the difficult export market.
Handmade Cape Wholesale service which seeks to find new markets such as corporate and event buyers, hospitality and tourism industry and provides a wholesale order facilitation service

and 3 support programmes

1. Communications & Sector Promotion programme

A website and newsletter, reflecting design and craft news, articles, research, events, training opportunities, and more
A database of crafters, retail craft outlets and raw materials
Craft Sector meetings featuring monthly speakers, where crafters can network and talk about their activities and needs
Promotional material, advertising and craft exhibitions reflecting the wealth of Handmade [Cape] and aimed at growing a consumer market
An annual craft Exhibition Collection to encourage creativity and innovation
A Craft Icon programme to reward excellence and provide a model to which crafters can aspire.

2. A Rural Outreach programme

A dedicated officer travels to the 5 regions of the province – the West Coast, Winelands, Overberg, Central Karoo and Eden, on a rotational basis. Crafters in the regions can now be reached with the services that city crafters had access to.

3. Research and Resource Development

Impact analysis, scrutinising the work of the CCDI, as well as research and strategy analysis of the craft sector
A WC craft shopping route map for tourists
Easy-to-use practical booklets for crafters
Career opportunities in the craft sector, a matrix to analyse your business, and potential niche markets for different categories of products.

CCDI Board

Reuben Kadalie [Chair] | Manager Research, Development and Strategic Relationships, CSIR Western Cape
Bart Verveckken [Vice-Chair] | Head of Department, Industrial Design, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Prof. Johannes Cronje | Dean, Faculty of Informatics & Design, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Byron Qually | Designer, …XYZ
Margie Robertson | Owner, Africa Nova
Paul Slack | Company Secretary & CCDI Financial Manager
Labeeqah Schuurman | Chief Director, Tourism, Arts & Entertainment, WC Dept of Economic Development & Tourism
Bishop Tarambawamwe | Owner, Masterwire & Beads
Nadia Sujee | Director, Creative Industries Sector Desk, Department of Trade & Industry
Andrew Lane | Business Development Manager, Learn to Earn
Kwanda Modise | Manager, Economic Development Facilitation, City of Cape Town
Clementina van der Walt | Ceramicist, Clementina van der Walt Ceramic Studio

CCDI Mission

A Best Practice Institute
developing People
to build profitable Enterprises
with marketable Products
for global Markets
in an enabled Environment

Vision for the WC Craft Sector 2014

Develop People
There is a NEW generation of designers and craft artists; and professional, well-informed, pioneering craft entrepreneurs across the value chain.

Develop Enterprises
There are many profitable businesses operating in a competitive sector, using appropriate technology, which covers the whole province and makes a valuable contribution to GDP.

Develop Products
The WC has an identifiable signature, which is influenced by our heritage, and is recognised globally for its design & innovation.

Develop Markets
There is a strong local market, developed niche international markets, with increased value/appreciation for hand manufactured products.

Develop Environment
The sector is industry-led with a discernable craft community and a strong fair trade practice.

Develop Institute
The CCDI is a globally recognised sector development body and a centre of excellence.

Vision for the CCDI 2014

A globally recognised centre of excellence Credible and reliable Institute for craft and design
Commercial demand driven services
A sector body that proactively grows existing markets and explores new markets for African craft
Actively support establishment of craft & design sector bodies in the region.

Objectives

1. To help the Western Cape craft sector grow at the same rate as annual provincial GDP growth.
2. To develop the capacity of craft entrepreneurs to manage their businesses so that 50% of emerging entrepreneurs have more stable profitable enterprises in 5 years.
3. Facilitate an enabling environment which supports the annual increase of quality jobs in the craft sector at or above the minimum wage in the WC and at the same rate as job creation in the province.
4. Develop creative, design and business skills of craft entrepreneurs by providing accredited training opportunities to at least 100 participants annually.
5. Promote principles of good labour practice and sustainable resource use so that all enterprises in the WC are fair trade compliant.
6. Create annual opportunities for experiential learning which builds the human and social capital of at least 50 people working in the sector.
7. Create a collaborative community across the value chain through facilitating networks, collaboration and sharing of resources.
8. Stimulate innovation so that 20 new competitive products enter the market each year from crafters and designers in the Western Cape.
9. To develop a brand identity for Western Cape craft and design that expresses our diverse cultural heritage.
10. To facilitate access to local, national and international markets and increase the market share of WC craft each year.
11. To be a benchmark of excellence in all areas from products, to people, and processes.