By Nomazulu Moyo
Hundreds of creatives from across Africa gathered in Bryanston on 11 April 2026 for the AfroExchange Creative Summit, a one-day event focused on collaboration, skills development and discussions on the future of the continent’s creative industries.
The summit, hosted by Johnnie Walker, took place at The Forum at The Campus. It brought together both emerging and established practitioners working across music, fashion, visual art and related fields. The programme included panel discussions, fireside chats and practical workshops, with a strong focus on co-creation. Organisers said the aim was to create a space where creatives could collaborate, exchange ideas and develop new work during the event itself.
“The Johnnie Walker AfroExchange Creative Summit was an opportunity to bring together the creative force that keep walking towards collective progress,” said Ifeoma Agu. “Through music, fashion, art, and our offering of the expertly blended Johnnie Walker spirit, we offered Africa an opportunity to shape the future of the continent’s creative landscape.”
The day opened with a fireside discussion between Colin Gayle and Agu. The conversation focused on the conditions needed for African creatives to grow from local recognition to global influence, as well as the broader development of the continent’s creative economy. Panel discussions followed, facilitated by George Avakian and Ayandamantombazane Mhlongo. These sessions brought together artists and industry professionals to discuss the current state of African creativity, challenges facing the sector and the role of collaboration in driving growth.
Participants in the music panel included Thandi Draai, Lelowhatsgood and Kat Upendi. The art panel featured Andile Dlamini, TK Mahapa and Khensani Mohlatole. A key component of the summit was a series of five parallel “co-creation labs”, where attendees participated in hands-on sessions. In the fashion lab, Mohlatole guided participants in working with African textiles. In the art lab, Njabulo Hlophe led a session where participants created artworks reflecting personal interpretations of the theme “Keep Walking”.
Musician MUZI led the music lab, offering insight into the process of producing and developing sound. Separate DJ sessions introduced participants to mixing techniques and maintaining a live set. A mixology lab focused on cocktail-making. An additional artwork was produced during the event by SK Original, who created a piece using a technique involving repeated markings on glass. According to organisers, the final collection of artworks produced throughout the day reflected contributions from multiple participants.
The event concluded with live performances, including DJ sets by Kat Upendi and Lelowhatsgood, followed by a headline performance by Kamo Mphela. Agu said the summit also aimed to promote responsible consumption alongside creative engagement.
“Keep Walking is not a phrase we associate only with ambition,” she said. “Keep Walking is a reminder that the path forward is always better navigated with clear eyes and deliberate steps — in life, in creativity, and in everything you consume along the way.”
Organisers positioned the summit as part of a broader effort to support collaboration within Africa’s creative sector, with an emphasis on practical engagement rather than discussion alone.
