This episode takes us into the heart of South Africa’s creative economy, because the things we wear, the objects we cherish, the spaces we curate, and the flavours we love all begin with a maker — a real human with a real story.
And those stories are under threat.
I’m joining you from the vibrant KAMERS/Makers market, a cornerstone of local craftsmanship and one of the most influential creative platforms on the continent. With me is Ben-Carl Havemann, CEO and Co-Owner of KAMERS/Makers, and together we unpack a pressing issue affecting consumers, entrepreneurs, and the broader South African economy: the rapid influx of cheap imported goods and what it means for our artisans, our jobs, and our cultural identity.
This conversation is an invitation — not just to shop local, but to understand why it matters.
*This episode is sponsored by KAMERS/Makers.
00:00 — Welcome to Suitcase & Chardonnay
00:14 — The Heart of SA’s Creative Economy
00:27 — Live from KAMERS/Makers
00:50 — Meet Ben-Carl Hawemann
01:04 — The Power of a Creative Platform
01:36 — A Rainy Tuesday & a Heavy Topic
01:54 — The Real Impact of Cheap Imports in SA
02:34 — Job Losses and Economic Fallout
02:47 — Are Artisans Feeling the Pressure?
03:28 — The Resilience of South African Creatives
06:11 — Are We Misled About “Imported is Better”?
06:42 — Why Local Manufacturing Must Scale
07:36 — The Skills Gap: Who Will Make the Clothes?
08:08 — A New Hope: The Craft School in Stellenbosch
08:57 — Do Consumers Understand the Long-term Cost?
09:15 — What Needs to Change at Government Level
09:54 — Fast Fashion: The Hidden Crisis
10:20 — What Happens When We Lose Our Makers?
10:48 — The Theft of Ideas & the Creative Threat
KAMERS/Makers:
https://www.kamers.co.za/
Book tickets to the Sandton event running from 25 - 30 November:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/328806-kamersmakers-sandton-summer-2025/#/
SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY:
https://www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za/
Follow SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suitcaseandchardonnay/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/suitcaseandchardonnay
Pinterest:
https://za.pinterest.com/suitcaseandchardonnay/
SUBSCRIBE to the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY newsletter