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What to expect at Africa Textile Talks 2024

by | Jul 29, 2024

Africa Textile Talks 2024 is focussed on textile practices that inspire us to imagine and transition to a post-fossil fuel future. Our thoughtfully curated programme introduces attendees to makers and thinkers from South Africa and across the African continent who are committed to a textile and fashion industry that can co-exist with nature.

While the cornerstone of our event is the programme of talks on 15 August featuring experts in the field of sustainable textiles, it also features exhibitions, demonstrations, a clothing swap and interactive activities. From talks by industry game-changers to making your own mending kit, here’s what you can expect at the fourth annual Africa Textile Talks.

Date: Thursday – Saturday 15 – 17 August
Venue: Workshop 17, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Time: 08h00 – 17h00
Tickets: Full price: Africa Textile Talks: R400 and Slow Fashion Festival: Free

 

Book your tickets

 

15 August: Africa Textile Talks

The main Africa Textile Talks event takes place on Thursday 15 August from 9am and will be MCed by radio journalist Africa Melane. Tickets cost R400 and include access to the exhibition. This event is made possible with the support from Polo South Africa, Sappi, Cape Wools SA, V&A Waterfront, Merchant’s on Long, Mohair South Africa, Global Organic Textile Standard, H&M South Africa and Hemporium.

Be inspired by our keynote speaker, Nkwo Onwuka

Discover how Nkwo Onwuka, the visionary founder and director of NKWO, is fusing modern design with traditional African craftsmanship, reducing textile waste and empowering communities. One of the seasoned sustainability expert’s most notable achievements is the creation of Dakala Cloth, a unique fabric made from recycled denim using a strip-weaving technique, which is part of the V&A Museum’s permanent collection.

Learn about eco-friendly textiles with Ayanda Bam

The Co-founder and CEO of TexTTan Industries, Ayanda Bam, will be sharing insights on tradition and innovation in the textile industry. This industry pioneer has 15 years of experience, playing a key role in developing and sourcing sustainable and ethical textiles, most notably, promoting the legalisation and growth of hemp in South Africa.

Find out about the complexities of processing clothing waste with Sammy Oteng

Sammy Oteng is the Senior Community Engagement Manager at The Or Foundation, a fashion designer, and a member of the No More Fast Fashion Lab in Ghana. Hear his insights on how to address the clothing waste that ends up in landfills across Africa through circular product design, skills training and waste management solutions. The Or Foundation, is “working at the intersection of environmental justice, education and fashion development.” The foundation’s mission is to identify and manifest alternatives to the dominant model of fashion, “alternatives that bring forth ecological prosperity, as opposed to destruction, and that inspire citizens to form a relationship with fashion that extends beyond their role as consumer”.

Find out how fashion intersects with regenerative agriculture

With 15 years of experience, Lindsay Humphreys has worked with Mohair South Africa and agriculture authourity BKB Ltd and is now the CEO and founder of The Rethink Lab. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between agricultural productivity and ecological health, encouraging sustainable practices in South Africa’s natural fibre industry. Lindsay will be on a panel with H&M’s Caroline Nelson and mohair farmer Simphiwe Fani.

Hear the story of artist Johanna Bramble

Paris-born and Dakar-and-Abidjan-based textile artist Johanna Bramble uses weaving as a universal language, creating conversations about textile, culture and heritage. Her work incorporates materials such as plastic, metal, leather, glass beads and fibre optics, and aims to valorise West African weaving traditions.

Gain insights into Sappi’s forest-to-fibre process

Sappi’s General Manager at Sustainability Krelyne Andrew has received awards and recognition for her work in the sustainability sector. One of the functions of her role is to support and grow Verve, Sappi’s dissolving pulp product, which is mostly used to make viscose fibres. Krelyne will explain the fascinating process from forest-to-fibre.

Learn about the Global Organic Textile Standard in Africa

As the GOTS Representative for Africa, Muktar Dodo plays a crucial role in creating sustainable textile production and value chain in the continent. The GOTS certification builds a market for organic products in Africa, helping to protect the environment, support local communities and ensure safer products. Muktar will be hosting a roundtable event on 14 August.

Learn about a local regenerative farming initiative by H&M South Africa

Caroline Nelson is the CEO and Country Manager for H&M South Africa where she is responsible for the expansion of the South African organisation. She will be discussing the integration of regenerative farming practices with Rethink Lab’s Lindsay Humphries and mohair farmer Simphiwe Fani and why regenerative farming is important for the fashion industry.

Hear from the CEO of Cape Wools SA

Deon Saayman has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainability within South Africa’s wool and mohair industries, first at Mohair South Africa and now in his role at Cape Wools SA. He has spearheaded initiatives such as the Sustainable Cape Wool Standard and the Responsible Mohair Standard. Deon will be on a panel with Mohair SA’s Beauty Mokgwamme.

Explore sustainable farming practices with Simphiwe Fani

Somerset East farmer Simphiwe Fani has transformed his family cattle practice into a thriving enterprise with the help of the Mohair Empowerment Trust. He will be sharing his journey to where he and his brother are today, Responsible Wool Standard and Responsible Mohair Standard farmers. Simphiwe will be on a panel with H&M’s Caroline Nelson and Lindsay Humphries of Rethink Lab.

Foster awareness of our botanical wealth and heritage with Rupert Koopman

Rupert Koopman is an award-winning South African botanist and conservation consultant. He is passionate about protecting and promoting our country’s rich flora and has extensive experience in both the government and NGO sectors.

Discover the connection between mohair and wool, and community with Beauty Mokgwamme

Beauty Mokgwamme has been in the mohair industry, working with Angora goat farmers, for over 15 years. She serves at the Mohair Empowerment Trust, training emerging farmers to become commercial Angora goat farmers.

Delve into the world of Ugandan textiles and crafts

Josephine Mukasa and Pamela Kyagera co-founded Mekeka Designs to honour and showcase Uganda’s rich textile traditions. Josephine’s research and academic background and Pamela’s extensive experience bring both scholarly and practical expertise to their collaborative work.

15 August: An exhibition of African textiles

The exhibition exhibition features elements that illustrate a post-fossil fuel industry, emphasising natural fibres and raw materials, natural dyes, the work of textile artists and a fashion installation in partnership with Merchants on Long. The exhibition seeks to offer attendees an appreciation for the intricate processes and cultural significance behind each textile, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable fashion rooted in indigenous craftsmanship. Explore a treasure trove of textiles curated by fashion stylist and artistic director Tandekile Mkize.

17 August: Slow Fashion Festival with V&A Waterfront

Africa Textile Talks Swap & Mend with Twyg

The Slow Fashion Festival in partnership with the V&A Waterfront is free to attend and runs from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 17 August.

Attend a panel discussion

10am – 11am

Sustainable fashion brands from The Watershed, including Asha Eleven, will take part in an informative panel discussion on how to run a sustainable fashion business, sustainably.

Swap and mend your clothing

10am – 4pm

Create a culture of caring for the clothes we already own by mending what is broken and swapping what is no longer worn to find a new life with a new owner. Bring your preloved clothing, swap them for other items on our rail, and bring damaged pieces to fix at our mending station. Assemble and take home a free kit of the essential tools needed to repair your belongings yourself (limited kits available).

Join a craft circle

10am – 4pm

The Cape Town Craft Club will be running a craft circle, where anyone is invited to bring a creative project they’re working on and spend a few hours making and meeting other people who make. Find out more about the Cape Town Craft Club here.

Twyg Swap & Mend at Africa Textile Talks

Knit with Holly

10am – 11am

Fibresmith Holly Kane will be giving a demonstration on her flat bed knitting machine. Attendees can try it out for themselves, have a look at her swatches, and ask Holly questions about the machine and her work.

Discuss African traditional fashion and sustainability

11:30am – 12:30pm

The African Fashion Research Institute will lead a discussion about traditional fashion and sustainability.

Sew a zero-waste T-shirt

11am – 12pm

Sewing one’s own clothes is a fantastic way to take part in the slow fashion system, choosing low or zero-waste patterns even more so. Andie Reeves from the Cape Town Craft Club will be giving a demonstration on how to cut and sew a zero-waste T-shirt.

Discover the art of scrap quilting

12pm – 1pm

The slow, thoughtful process of quilting aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainable fashion, encouraging the appreciation of our clothes and textiles. Lynette Rheeder of Thimbles Quilting Shop will be leading an introduction to hand quilting using scrap fabric.

Fashion Revolution

1pm – 2pm

Fashion Revolution will be leading a discussion about its annual Fashion Transparency Index. The Index reviews and rates 250 of the world’s largest fashion brands and retailers according to the information they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and impacts, in their operations and supply chain. Read the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index here.

Learn screen printing

4pm – 6pm

Good Good Good’s Daniel Sher, known for his iconic screen-printed T-shirts, will be leading a demonstration on the art of screen printing.

 

  • Book your ticket for the Africa Textile Talks here
  • Images: The Dollie House and A Gorman. Portraits of the speaker were supplied
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