Africa Textile Talks 2025: 28 July – 2 August 2025
Save the dates: 28 July – 2 August
To collaborate, to sponsor and to participate contact jackie@twyg.co.za
Tuesday 29 July – 2 August | THREADS OF RENEWAL exhibition
The exhibition Threads of Renewal is a dynamic exploration of the healing power of textiles in a time of global uncertainty. As an integral part of Africa Textile Talks 2025, this showcase brings together visionary designers, artisans, and artists whose work redefines fabric as a force for restoration – of the body, the land, and the communities that create it. Rooted in African traditions where cloth is more than material but a vessel of memory, resistance, and transformation, the exhibition presents innovative textile practices that nurture rather than deplete. Through natural dyes, regenerative fibres, upcycled materials, and traditional weaving techniques, it highlights sustainable approaches that honour both cultural heritage and environmental responsibility.
Tuesday 29 July | CIRCULARITY IN CLOTHING AND TEXTILES | SOLD OUT
Opening the week, we’ll be hosting experts and practitioners of circular solutions. This day of talks, discussions and networking explores how circular design, materials recycling systems, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies could shape the future of fashion and textiles in South Africa. The programme is designed for professionals, designers, researchers, academics, and others who work in clothing and textile manufacturing and who have (and seek) solutions.
Wednesday 30 July | WOOLCYCLE powered by Cape Wools SA | SOLD OUT
The WoolCycle event, co-hosted with Cape Wools SA, brings together key stakeholders from across South Africa, and beyond. This day unpacks the full story of wool – from farm to fashion – through the voices of farmers, processors, designers, and retailers. We examine opportunities for greater traceability, the role of regenerative grazing, and how designers are rethinking wool’s role in circular fashion.
Thursday 31 July | THREAD WITH CARE
Finally, Thread with Care, a full day of inspiring and informative talks, will appeal to industry insiders, designers, makers and consumers. Day three celebrates the diverse worlds of textiles in Africa – from slow making to high-tech innovation. We hear from artists, designers, manufacturers and visionaries who are weaving new narratives of sustainability, heritage, and bold material experimentation.
Circularity in clothing and textiles | PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DAY IS SOLD OUT
Opening the week, we’ll be hosting experts and practitioners of circular solutions. This day of talks, discussions and networking explores how circular design, materials recycling systems, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies could shape the future of fashion and textiles in South Africa. The programme is designed for professionals, designers, researchers, academics, and others who work in clothing and textile manufacturing and who have (and seek) solutions.
MC: Keabetswe Sesoko | Circular Economy Analyst at Green Cape
Programme subject to change
9:10 – 9:40 | Talk | Designing accountability: Linking life cycle thinking and producer responsibility to build a circular textile system
Dr Philippa Notten | Principal consultant at The Green House
9:40 – 10:40 | Panel discussion | Micro miracles: How small and micro businesses in South Africa support the circular economy. Moderated by Safiyya Karim | Fashion Revolution. Panellists: Tracey Gilmore | Taking Care of Business, Luleka Zepe | Elamilima Environmental Project, Yayra Agbofah | The Revival, Ghana and Natasha Pearce | Vivacious Eco Vixon
10:40 – 13.00 | Case studies | Four large-scale and successful circular textile systems in practice
Gary Erasmus | Connacher – Insights from South African recycling plant
David Torr | Faro – Circular second-hand clothing business
Jesse Naidoo | Clothes2Good – Textile recycling and disability empowerment organisation
Luke Henning | Circ – Global textile-to-textile manufacturing company that’s building the first indrustrial polycotton recycling plant
13:00 – 2:00 | LUNCH
2:00 – 2:45 | Panel discussion | Insights for the clothing and textile industry from EPR and PROs in other sectors. Moderated by Kirsten Barnes | Circular Economy Specialist. Panellists: Feroz Koor | Woolworths, Junaid Francis | Petco, Zaheer Patel | Textile and sustainability specialist at Pick n Pay and Quinton Williams | Independent consultant: Circular economy, sustainability, and environmental governance
2:45 – 3:05 | Short film screening | Ilse Menck
3:05 – 3.50 | Panel discussion | Why design and material choices are critical for circularity. Moderator: Carlyn Frittelli Davies. Panellists: Professor Asis Patnaik | Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Shamyra Moodley | Designer and founder of LaaniRaani, Shaldon Kopman | Creative director and founder of Naked Ape, Kabambi Mbiola | Fuata Moyo
3:50 – 4:30 | Presentation | Building a collaborative circularity initiative for clothing and textiles in South Africa
Roan Snyman | Circular Economy Analyst at Green Cape
WoolCycle powered by Cape Wools SA | PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DAY IS SOLD OUT
The WoolCycle event, co-hosted with Cape Wools SA, brings together key stakeholders from across South Africa, and beyond. This day unpacks the full story of wool — from farm to fashion — through the voices of farmers, processors, designers, and retailers. We examine opportunities for greater traceability, the role of regenerative grazing, and how designers are rethinking wool’s role in circular fashion.
MC: Heleen Petzer | Dirt Charity
Programme subject to change
10:10 – 10:30 | Talk | Tracking progress in the South African wool value chain
Deon Saayman | CEO of Cape Wools SA
10:30 – 11:00 | Talk | Global perspectives on wool’s role in regenerative and sustainable fashion
Monica Ebert | The Woolmark Company
11:00 – 11:20 | Presentation | The land remembers: Regenerative farming and wool production
Matthew van Lingen | Karoo regenerative sheep farmer
11:20 – 12:00 | Panel discussion | Sustainable farming in South Africa for global sustainable fashion. Powered by H&M Group
Caroline Nelson| Country Manager (CEO) at H&M Southern Africa
Pavs Pillay | Corporate Engagement and Behaviour Change Senior Manager at WWF South Africa
Matthew van Lingen | Karoo regenerative sheep farmer
12:30 – 1:00 | Presentation | Digital traceability and the South African wool revolution
Deon Saayman | CEO at Cape Wools SA
1:00 – 2:15 | LUNCH
2:15 – 3:00 | Panel discussion | Wool and its inherent versatility and sustainability for design and innovation. Moderator Lezanne Viviers. Panellists: Ronel Jordaan | Textile artist, Roxanne Maddocks | African Expressions, a division of SAMIL Natural Fibres and Jana Vermaas | Woolwise at Universtiry of the Free State
3:00 – 3:30 | Spotlight on education and skills development in natural fibres
Leandi Mulder | Head of Department at Design Academy of Fashion
3:30 – 4:15 | Panel discussion | Unpacking local wool processing, manufacturing and designing: Processor, designer, and retailer in conversation about opportunities. Moderator Tshepo Bhengu. Panellists: Stefan Gerber | Gerber & Co, Gugu Peteni | GUGUBYGUGU and Lilitha Mahlati | Ivili Group
4:15 – 4:30 | Closing remarks | Deon Saayman
Thread with care
This full day of inspiring and informative talks will appeal to industry insiders, designers, makers and consumers. Day three celebrates the diverse worlds of textiles in Africa – from slow making to high-tech innovation. We hear from artists, designers, manufacturers and visionaries who are weaving new narratives of sustainability, heritage, and bold material experimentation.
MC: Africa Melane | Radio journalist
Programme subject to change
9:15 – 9:45 | Talk | From leather to trade cloth: Namibian indigenous aesthetic politics in textiles
Maria Caley | Lecturer at University of Namibia who specialises in textiles and fashion design, Namibia
9:45 – 10:45 | Panel discussion | Textile innovation and how indigenous knowledge drives current research. Moderator: Ayanda Bam. Panellists: Dr Edwin Kamalha | Busitema University, Uganda, Muturi Kimani | TEXFAD, Uganda
10:45 – 11:25 | Presentations | Innovation and Global Change Awards
Sasha Thomas | H&M Foundation
Yayra Agbofah | Founder of The Revival, Ghana
11:25 – 12:10 | Discussion | Responsible fibre management, ethical standards, and global excellence of mohair (diamond fibre) value chain in South Africa. Powered by Mohair South Africa. Moderated by Jackie May
Pierre van der Vyver | House of Fibre
Lauren Moore | Mohair South Africa
Jonker Venter | OVK
12:10 – 12:30 | Presentation | Stephen Studio Tapestries
Leila Sangari | Stephen Studio Tapestries
12:30 – 13:00 | Talk | Innovation and new narratives in African textiles manufacturing
Wacy Zacarias | Karingana Textiles, Mozambique
13:00 – 2:00 | LUNCH
2:00 – 2:45 | Presentations and discussion | From cotton field to fashion: challenges and opportunities for cotton farming in Nigeria and South Africa. Moderator: Ayanda Bam
Osione Itegboje | THIS IS US, United Kingdom/Nigeria
Sessi K | Fashion entrepreneur and multidisciplinary visual artist from Nigeria/Paris
Tertius Schoeman | Cotton SA
2:45 – 3:45 | Panel discussion | Opportunities for a greener future for textile manufacturing in Africa. Moderated by Irshaad Kathrada | CEO of Localisation Support Fund. Panellists: Lilitha Mahlati | Ivili Group and Imraan Bux | Imraan Textile Mills, Dax Holding | Mungo and Courtney Barnes | Cape Clothing Cluster
3:45 – 4:15 | Talk | Fashion without factories – The rise of decentralised production of fashion in Africa
Danayi Madondo | Textile artist and founder of Haus of Stone, Zimbabwe
4:15 – 4:45 | Talk | Weaving in the liminal: Textiles, care, and the politics of place
Aaniyah Martin | Founder and director of The Beach Co-Op
Visible Mending for Knits Workshop 1 – 4pm
Led by fibresmith Holly Kane and Wrapt Knitwear founder Hannelie Bekker, this hands-on workshop will explore the art of repairing knitted garments. Attendees will learn simple, practical techniques to mend holes, snags and worn patches in their knits, practising on knitted swatches.