Insight into the Creative Economy: Cape Town

Photo: Freddy Sam. Retrieved from: https://capechameleon.co.za/graffiti-in-woodstock/

One of the cities that inspired me most during my research was Cape Town. It is a rich and vibrant city, with a recent but innovative history of understanding the value of creativity for its economy. This city, once wrought with the discriminatory policies of apartheid, is changing, with help from creative industry.

An insightful article by Laura Wenz (2012), explains that in 1998, Cape Town became a frontrunner in the creative economy by introducing Creative South Africa: A strategy for realizing the potential of the cultural industries (p. 18). With help from budding communities rich with creative industry, such as Woodstock (pictured above), Cape Town continues to draw on its creative strengths.

Reference: Wenz, L. (2012). Changing tune in Woodstock: Creative industries and local urban development in Cape Town, South Africa. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research & Engagement. http://doi:10.5130/ijcre.v5i0.2010