NEXT21, the Craft and Design Institute’s (CDI) newest exhibition is an exciting showcase providing a global virtual platform for proudly South African products, including the latest furniture, lighting, textiles, fashion accessories and homeware from 23 top talents.
In previous years, NEXT took the form of a week-long exhibition staged in Cape Town. For 2021, NEXT has been re-strategised to give it increased longevity and a wider global reach. For the first time, NEXT will take the form of an innovative online platform that can be accessed by buyers, members of the trade and the public from across the globe. The year-long digital exhibition is made possible with support from the City of Cape Town and the exhibition is free to access.
Through the Enterprise and Investment Department, the City partners with and provides funding to Strategic Business Partners (SBPs) to grow sectors that have the potential for significant expansion and job creation.
In the clothing and textile sector, the City also partners with the CDI, which is a South African non-profit company with two decades of success in developing creative people, small businesses and the craft and design sector.
‘I am very proud of our partnership with the CDI and especially our programmes that train and place young unemployed residents in the clothing and textiles sector. Our most recent training and placement programme is called the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator Programme. The City, together with the CDI and the National Skills Fund, enables SMMEs to take on machinists at a greatly reduced cost to their business, while creating learning and work opportunities for unemployed women,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, who opened the exhibition.
‘It was a great pleasure to personally view the CDI’s newest exhibition last week and I was very impressed with the new format, which will allow potential buyers to view the proudly local products in an interactive online platform, throughout the year,’ said Alderman Vos.
NEXT21 online exhibition
The online exhibition will showcase a wide variety of export-ready producers, who will all be launching brand-new, ready-to-order ranges on the platform. The participating businesses hail from across the nation and represent the best of South African craft and design. Exhibitors include a mix of well-established brands and rising stars such as Africa Ignite, Modern Gesture, Design Afrika, Chimpel, Ozzy Eco Décor and Studio Stirling, among others.
‘I am proud to partner with the CDI to provide local entrepreneurs with a platform to engage and do business with both local and international buyers, thereby enabling them to grow their businesses and hopefully employ more people,’ said Alderman Vos.
To view the array of products that will be launched on NEXT21, visit from 25 March 2021.
WHAT : NEXT21
HOW: Virtual Exhibition visit HERE
WHEN: Exhibition from 25 March 2021 for 12 months
INFO: Fran Stewart | E fran.stewart@thecdi.org.za | visit
