Making It

Making It Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Making It, Design & Fashion, Kramerville Design District, Sandton.

Join South Africa’s makers, innovators, and supporters for two days of connection, collaboration, and shared learning, honouring the craft and ritual of making while focusing on how sustainable markets are built.

The past week has shown what’s possible when the right people, ideas, and energy come together. None of it happens in is...
27/03/2026

The past week has shown what’s possible when the right people, ideas, and energy come together. None of it happens in isolation. It takes real collaboration, shared vision, and partners who are willing to back that vision properly.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this possible: iKhokha, Jozi_My_Jozi, Wholesale and Retail SETA, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Arts Alive Joburg, Department of Small Business Development, The Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Kramerville Design District, Katy's Palace Bar, Levelthree Premium Venue, Arena Holdings, Sunday Times Lifestyle, Design Week South Africa, Weylandts,, Vetsak, Dokter & Misses, Design Week South Africa, South African Decor and Design, and IQOQO.

We’re grateful to have done this alongside partners who understand that creative ecosystems don’t grow by chance – they grow when collaboration is real, and resources meet ambition.

We set out to create a space where South Africa’s could connect, collaborate, and build what’s next—and we made it together!

Will you be apart of what we make next?

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

The Craft and Design Institute

Some moments feel bigger than words, and Imibono was one of them 🧡Tracing Sophie Mahlangu’s Journey brought everyone tog...
27/03/2026

Some moments feel bigger than words, and Imibono was one of them 🧡

Tracing Sophie Mahlangu’s Journey brought everyone together to celebrate not just a career, but a living legacy in

As Msoziswa Sophie Mahlangu reflected on her extraordinary journey, Shado Twala Chairperson of the The Craft and Design Institute, and Khobongo Petrus Mahlangu from the Mpumalanga Department of Arts & Culture joined in, weaving together stories of mentorship, collaboration, and the lasting impact of creative practice.

The conversation moved seamlessly from reflection to inspiration, showing how one person’s dedication can ripple across communities, industries, and generations—leaving everyone in the room both proud and motivated to carry that legacy forward.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Grants, investment, insurance, risk management—this wasn’t a lecture on funding, it was a conversation about making crea...
26/03/2026

Grants, investment, insurance, risk management—this wasn’t a lecture on funding, it was a conversation about making creative businesses stronger, smarter, and ready for the long haul.

Junior Mlondobuzi, Khanya Mpuang, Mars Massai, Prof Emmanuel Nkambule and Tom Mkhwanazi shared stories and strategies that made the path to sustainable growth feel tangible—and, at times, refreshingly unconventional.

From risk management to alternative funding models, the session was a reminder that building a enterprise today requires curiosity, courage, and a willingness to rethink the usual rules.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Yesterday’s The Impact Era: Designing for a Changing Planet sparked a conversation that went far beyond the usual rhet...
26/03/2026

Yesterday’s The Impact Era: Designing for a Changing Planet sparked a conversation that went far beyond the usual rhetoric. It was about confronting the realities of a world with shrinking resources and rising ecological pressures—and asking how design can respond in meaningful, ways.

Erica Elk and Katherine-Mary Pichulik brought the conversation to the materials themselves, showing how intentional choices and ethical supply networks can completely reshape a creative practice. Marianne Fassler reflected on how established methods can evolve under constraints, while Simphiwe Mlambo demonstrated that limits can actually spark bold innovation. Thuli Gamedze closed the loop, framing as more than production—it’s a practice of reflection, resistance, and renewal, capable of shaping both culture and planet.

This wasn’t about ticking boxes or following trends. It was a reminder that design, when done thoughtfully, can actively build a future that’s not just sustainable, but regenerative.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

On the Pulse: Young Entrepreneurs Online brought together a new wave of founders navigating the digital space with confi...
26/03/2026

On the Pulse: Young Entrepreneurs Online brought together a new wave of founders navigating the digital space with confidence and clarity. Moderated by Michelle Constant, the conversation moved through the realities of building online, from content and SEO to community and conversion.

Dave Duarte (joining virtually) shared a broader view on digital ecosystems and growth, while Thulani Masebenza spoke to turning online traction into tangible business results. Kopano Makino reflected on building a design-led brand in a crowded digital space, with Kerry Balshaw adding insight into the systems and tools that support eCommerce at scale.

More than trends, this was a clear look at how digital thinking is shaping businesses that are built to last.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Day 2 turned things up a notch, with double the MAKEshops and even more hands getting involved 🧵The Embroidery MAKEshop ...
26/03/2026

Day 2 turned things up a notch, with double the MAKEshops and even more hands getting involved 🧵

The Embroidery MAKEshop with Imbali Visual Literacy Project invited participants to slow things down, learning a few foundational stitches before starting their own piece on pre-prepared cotton fabric. Not something you finish in an hour, but definitely something you leave with, along with your thread, needle and a reason to keep going.

Alongside it, the Weaving MAKEshop took a more hands-on, experimental turn. Using packband, coloured telephone wire and found materials, participants learnt a simple weaving technique and built their own functional containers to take home.

Two sessions, two different rhythms, both rooted in , learning and seeing everyday materials in a new light.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Growth doesn’t happen by chance, it’s shaped by the choices you make and the markets you move through. Yesterday’s sessi...
26/03/2026

Growth doesn’t happen by chance, it’s shaped by the choices you make and the markets you move through. Yesterday’s session, Market Routes and Momentum: Growing Your Business Locally & Globally, brought that idea to life in a way that felt both practical and genuinely exciting.

Tracy Lynch shared how creative direction and brand positioning influence pricing and perception, while Lucilla Booyzen unpacked what it takes for designers to step confidently onto international stages. Glorinah Mabaso brought it back to building with intention, speaking to customer segmentation and staying rooted while scaling, as Tamburai Chirume (joining virtually) offered a broader view on cross-border collaboration and export readiness in practice.

Together, the session explored how businesses can grow sustainably, reaching new audiences without losing what makes them distinct.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

The past two days have shown what’s possible when sectors align and collaboration is real, where cultural value meets ge...
25/03/2026

The past two days have shown what’s possible when sectors align and collaboration is real, where cultural value meets genuine economic opportunity.

Our makers are , creating beautiful work while building livelihoods, strengthening communities and shaping their own futures across South Africa.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

The Craft and Design Institute

All eyes have been on our main stage, where fabric, furniture and lighting came together in a showcase of expert craftsm...
25/03/2026

All eyes have been on our main stage, where fabric, furniture and lighting came together in a showcase of expert craftsmanship and considered design.

A big thank you to Fabric Bank for the beautiful, bespoke draping, and to Dokter and Misses for their incredible furniture that brought the space to life! ✨

We’re so grateful for their support in making our stage unforgettable💛

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Hosted by Hasso Plattner d–school Afrika*, this session introduced participants to the Design Thinking mindset—a practic...
25/03/2026

Hosted by Hasso Plattner d–school Afrika*, this session introduced participants to the Design Thinking mindset—a practical approach for creating innovative solutions at the intersection of human values, business, and technology.

Participants were encouraged to explore the conference programme and their own work through a hands-on, solutions-focused lens.

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT

Powerhouse insights from The Brand Playbook: Story, Strategy & Market!This session brought together veteran brand leader...
25/03/2026

Powerhouse insights from The Brand Playbook: Story, Strategy & Market!

This session brought together veteran brand leaders — Beth Arendse, Heidi Brauer, and Janet Kinghorn — to share the practical strategies, persistence, and layered approach needed to turn ordinary products into distinctive brands.

From refining your business model to crafting a story that truly resonates, this session delivered the tools and mindset every emerging entrepreneur needs to build with confidence and make a lasting

Image Credit: Alet Pretorius

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Kramerville Design District
Sandton

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