Durban July: More Than Just Horses! The Creative Economy Gallops On!
The Durban July is known for its dazzling display of horses and high fashion, but the 2025 edition revealed a deeper story: a thriving creative economy powering the event and connecting artists across borders.
Durban July: A Continental Creative Hub
The event has evolved beyond a South African lifestyle marker, becoming a regional platform linking artists, designers, and industry professionals. This year's race was more than just millinery and gowns; it involved flights, meetings, and partnerships transforming Durban July into a continental exchange.
Botswana's Creative Connection
Durban Tourism's partnership with Air Botswana played a key role, facilitating the travel of creatives and stakeholders from Botswana. Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Director of Durban Tourism, highlighted the focus on trade, stating, "When we fly in a creative from Botswana, we’re opening a corridor not just for style, but for serious business... we are literally a family with Botswana."
Creativity in Action
Pop-up showrooms showcased emerging labels from the region. Networking events, runways, and marquees provided opportunities for stylists, designers, photographers, and textile producers to exchange contacts, ideas, and contracts. The infrastructure supporting the creative industry was palpable.
Batswana Creatives Making Their Mark
The presence of creatives from Botswana was notable, demonstrating increasing confidence in navigating such events as contributors, not just guests. This shows a promising future for cross-border collaborations and the growth of the creative economy in Southern Africa.