In 2003, 4 Stellenbosch ladies decided to create a showcase for the many creative artisans they each knew. A place where small producers and start-up artisans could show (and sell!) their stuff – in an affordable, accessible and ethical way.
With no budget to hire a fancy venue, they simply lugged all the furniture out of one of their homes, squeezed in 36 Makers, printed some flyers (no Social Media in those days!) and said their prayers.
800 shoppers – and some sold-out Makers later – they declared their ‘Kamersvol Geskenke’ (it was a pre-Xmas show) to be a success. And they did it again the following year… and the next….
Fast forward to 2023 and KAMERS MAKERS, as it’s now known, has grown into Africa’s largest and most premium showcase for artisan entrepreneurs
TWO DECADES OF EXCELLENCE:
60+ KM shows hosted
18 different national venues used
1000+ Makers featured
Over HALF A MILLION visitors
50+ SMEEs launched on the KM platform
3000+ jobs created
Dozens of community upliftment and skills transfer initiatives in place
Dozens of our Makers now export to a total of over 60 countries around the world.
Many have built businesses that employ dozens of people each – in small communities where jobs are like gold.
A number of other Makers host community projects – mentoring, upskilling, employing and uplifting.
The logistics supplier, cleaning contractor, security services… all these are SMEE’s or sole proprietors who either started or built their businesses with, and through, the KM platform.
But most of all, the endlessly creative Maker community has proved to be an infinite well of innovation, ingenuity, inspiration and pure hope, especially through all the challenges of the past years.
South African talent is alive and kicking… and, after two decades of being privileged to watch its growth, we are certain that there is no challenge that Mzansi magic cannot overcome!
And so to 2023 and the 20th Birthday Celebrations of Kamers Makers.
Click here to grab your tickets.
