The fifth SoCreative Summit is coming to Victoria Yards in Joburg, featuring 54 speakers and contributors from 11 countries (across Africa and Europe).
It’s a two-day exploration of creativity through the lens of innovation, wellness, technology and enterprise held together by the Summit theme; Emergence. Set against a backdrop of a changing narrative in creativity and a return to African knowledge and influence. SoCreative Summit is rooted in the recalibration of existing systems and thinking which is present throughout the programme.
The Summit has been created by the British Council and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), in partnership with the Pan African Creative Exchange (PACE), as a gift (the Summit is free) to cultural makers and creative thinkers and a container for new conversations about creativity. Hosted by cultural strategist and connector, Lungi Morrison, many of the guest speakers at the Summit have come from across the British Council’s global network. Opening the programme of talks, workshops and presentations is a keynote from British Council’s Global Director of Arts and Culture, Skinder Hundal (MBE).
African Life-Centred Design will focus a conversation on the integration of indigenous and life-orientated thinking in strategy and creativity and Namibian cultural thought leader, Patrick Sam, will position the role of the cultural ambassador. A panel of fashion creatives including Gilmore Tee Khumalo of Paper Bag Africa (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe), Godfrey Katende aka BLAK – co-founder of IGC Fashion, a Ugandan Streetwear label (Kampala, Uganda), Chido Kaseke, Founder/Creative Director of PatCh Maokoe(Zimbabwe) and Founder of Hub of Africa Fashion Week, Mahlet Teklemariam (Ethiopia), will discuss the social and economic challenges and opportunities faced by designers and entrepreneurs in the African fashion industry, from a cultural heritage lens.
Using the fast-moving Pecha Kucha format featuring 20 slides in 20 seconds, Hector Dibokoane of Makers Valley, Roshana Naidoo of Baz-Art and Maheder Gebremedhin of Urban Design Centre in Ethiopia will explore the role of placemaking in social transformation.
A recent research project spearheaded by British Council; The Cultural Vibrancy Index, will be discussed in a panel facilitated by British Council’s Brenda Fashugba (Nigeria), featuring co-researchers Africa No Filter, Kenyan Co-Creation Hub programme manager Mercy Kihwaga and City of Johannesburg and Director of Arts and Culture, Vuyisile Mshudulu. On both days of the Summit, guests will be able to sign up for a Portal experience. Facilitated by Global We, a blow-up container rigged with hi-tech kit will connect South Africans with artists in Lagos, Addis Ababa, Nakivale and Kigali for conversations to create common ground and collaboration.
The second day of the SoCreative Summit has a strong focus on technology starting with a keynote from futurist and international speaker Monika Bielskyte about how we can envisage our collective future beyond current fear-based dystopian perspectives. Digital creatives from Johannesburg including ByLwansta, Kay Kay Ribane, Jeani Varty, Eduardo Cachucho and Mitch Said will share the exciting work they’re doing.
Presented in partnership with Goethe Institut, as part of their Sustainable Together series of conversations, a discussion about circular and sustainable practices and models in the creative sector will be facilitated by Sentle Nell. Andani Africa will bring the InsightsOut Africa Creative Economy funding research to life with a workshop on creative sector investment.
Ritesh Kanjee of Augmented AI will give a workshop on how to communicate effectively with AI systems and a Fishbowl debate will see African AI and data activist, Muthoni Wanyoike (Kenya), artist Diek Grobler (South Africa) and creative technologist, Alex Fefeghe (United Kingdom) wrestle over the impact and possibilities of AI.
Members of the 2024 Cultural Producers Programme cohort (also a project of British Council and BASA with the support of Common Purpose South Africa and the Pan-African Creative Exchange) will deliver a series of Pecha Kucha’s defining ‘Africa Now’ through the lens of a cultural producer immersed in the South African landscape.
The Summit closes on a high with a Pitch Den that sees eight creatives showcasing their businesses for a shot at the R30 000, R20 000, and R10 000 business grants, along with the invaluable opportunity to network, upskill, and gain access to grants through a complimentary one-year BASA membership.
Guests at the Summit will also enjoy short films from the Fak’ugesi Awards and short animation films from the Cape Town International Animation Festival. A British Council Gallery will showcase the expansive projects and programmes the organisation is working on and there will be intervals of live entertainment and networking across the day. Guests will also be encouraged to swap and buy books.
Tours of the host venue, Victoria Yards, as well as interactive sessions with some of the businesses on site, will offer a personal experience of one of Jozi’s creative engines. Starting both days with a focus on wellness, the Summit encourages visitors to take time and space in the wellness pod or BASA Connect Lounge and holds space for connection and kindness throughout the experience.
Tickets for the SoCreative Summit are free but those interested in attending should register at https://socreativesummit.com before all the spaces are filled!
Those not able to secure tickets or attend in Johannesburg can watch mainstage events at the SoCreative Summit through a live stream (details on the SoCreative website).
Says the British Council’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Farai Ncube: “The SoCreative Summit is contributing to a pivotal moment where we delve into the theme of ‘Emergence’: Exploring new horizons in the Cultural and Creative Industries of Africa. We witness the convergence of tradition and innovation, paving the way for new ideas, businesses, and opportunities across the continent. African creative landscape signifies a transformative shift towards a future that is inclusive and sustainable. This evolution not only drives economic growth but also nurtures a unique identity that resonates with global audiences, highlighting the richness and diversity of our heritage. The emergence of African narratives challenges us to rethink traditional storytelling paradigms and amplify diverse voices that have long been underrepresented. These narratives are a testament to the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of African artists, writers, and creators, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with audiences worldwide”.
CEO of Business and Arts South Africa, Ashraf Johaardien, said that the SoCreative Summit embodies the deeper integration that is possible in the creative sector, “Fusing technology and new system thinking into our cultural landscape is vital for the sector to evolve and become sustainable. The Cultural and Creative sector presents a real opportunity for employment and makes a massive contribution to a country’s social wellbeing, but it can’t stand alone. Infusing cross-sector collaboration and developing exciting new practice sees creativity play an increasingly important role within the broader ecosystem.”
Don’t miss the summit on 9 & 10 May 2024 at Victoria Yards in Joburg
Find the full programme and link to register on the SoCreative website, or follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube for more.
