DSAC and IDC Present Beautiful Things Exhibition: Celebrating South Africa’s Craft and Heritage.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is proud to present Crafting Heritage: A Beautiful Things Exhibition Showcase, an activation of DSAC under the Cultural Development Chief Directorate. Opening at the IDC on 25 September 2025 and running until 03 October 2025, the initiative highlights South Africa’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and the potential to drive sustainable enterprise.

Building on this purpose, the showcase will, in celebration of Heritage Month, present an inspiring collection of South African craft and design, revealing the creativity and technical mastery of local makers. Under the tagline From Tradition to Trade, it honours living traditions and innovative design, demonstrating how the craft sector preserves cultural heritage, nurtures new talent, and contributes to inclusive economic growth.

“Beautiful Things Exhibition speaks to the heart of our country’s creative spirit,” said Ms Masana Chikeka, Acting Chief Director of Cultural Development in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. “Through this platform, we are honouring crafters who turn skills, memory and material into stories of resilience and opportunity. Their work connects past and present while opening pathways to a sustainable future.”

“For the IDC, supporting initiatives like the Beautiful Things Exhibition is about more than collaboration. It is about creating space for creative entrepreneurs to thrive,” said Tebogo Molefe, CSI Manager at the Industrial Development Corporation. “This exhibition gives our employees, clients and partners a chance to see the remarkable talent within South Africa’s craft sector while helping small businesses access markets and build sustainable enterprises.”

Visitors will encounter a carefully curated range of handcrafted masterpieces, including beadwork, woven textiles, ceramics, woodwork, and contemporary design pieces. Each item has been chosen to showcase excellence, authenticity, and innovation within the craft value chain.

To open the experience, the launch event on 25 September 2025 will bring together crafters, cultural leaders, corporate partners, and media to spotlight the people behind the masterpieces. The programme will also feature a panel discussion with selected crafters, offering guests insight into their creative processes, challenges, and aspirations. From 26 September to 3 October 2025, the exhibition will remain open to the public and invited businesses, encouraging dialogue and commercial connections between crafters and potential buyers.

“Being part of the Beautiful Things Exhibition has given me more than a platform to sell my work,” said Margaret Mahlangu, one of the crafters whose masterpieces will be featured in the exhibition. “It allows me to share the history behind each stitch and bead and to show that our traditions can evolve into something contemporary and powerful. Every basket or bracelet carries the voice of my community and the possibility of a better future for young makers who want to see themselves in this craft.”

Placing this showcase within the broader context of a thriving creative economy underscores its importance. South Africa’s handicrafts market was valued at USD 6.35 billion in 2024, with annual growth projected at 8.8% through 2033. The sector provides work and opportunity to nearly 680,000 people, around 4% of the national workforce.

Globally, cultural and creative industries contribute US$2.3 trillion to GDP and support 6% of employment. Craft sits at the heart of this ecosystem, sustaining small enterprises and communities while preserving techniques such as Basotho weaving, Xhosa textiles, Zulu beadwork, and the intricate embroidery and metalwork traditions of South Africa’s Indian community, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity.

This platform encourages collaborations and positions artisans for long-term sustainability. It also demonstrates how strategic partnerships between the government, development institutions, and the private sector can foster growth in the craft industry, opening access to markets, encouraging mentorship and investment, and ensuring that South Africa’s diverse craft heritage continues to thrive as a source of cultural pride and economic opportunity.

About the Exhibition:

• • Launch Event: 25 September 2025, 17:30. 

  • Public Exhibition: 26 September – 3 October 2025

  • Venue: IDC, 19 Fredman Drive, Sandton

Space at the launch is limited to 100 guests, so early RSVP is encouraged. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the makers at the launch, explore and purchase curated pieces, and celebrate South Africa’s diverse craft heritage. Curated stock will also be available for purchase throughout the exhibition dates, giving visitors a chance to support local craft while taking home a piece of South Africa’s creative legacy. The exhibition will be open to guests during the week, and weekend visits can be arranged by prior appointment with security.

About Beautiful Things Exhibition

 Beautiful Things Exhibition is a flagship initiative of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) under the custodian of the Cultural Development Chief Directorate that celebrates the creativity, skills, and heritage embedded in South Africa’s craft sector. Established to provide a platform for crafters and craft enterprises, it showcases exceptional handcrafted work while connecting makers with buyers, collectors, and new markets.

At its core, the Beautiful Things Exhibition is about preserving cultural traditions and encouraging innovation in contemporary craft. Alongside travelling exhibitions, the initiative runs a permanent craft shop at the Ditsong National Cultural Museum in Pretoria, offering visitors a curated selection of corporate gifts and souvenirs from beadwork, textiles, ceramics, woodwork, and other locally produced craft masterpieces. This retail space provides crafts with year-round exposure and an income stream, ensuring their stories and techniques continue to flourish.

“Since its inception, Beautiful Things has sought to support South African crafters to showcase their creations through targeted activations such as the one planned at the IDC”

Through exhibitions like this, Beautiful Things strengthens the craft value chain, creates economic opportunities, and reinforces South Africa’s reputation for exceptional design rooted in heritage.

Follow Beautiful Things on social media for updates and highlights:

Facebook: Beautiful Things SA

ENDS