Applications open for the creator accelerator helping turn South Africa’s creative talent into sustainable digital businesses
South Africa’s creator economy is growing up. What began with content, followers and influence is becoming a serious space for entrepreneurship, with a new generation of creators building brands, businesses and careers around their creativity. Now, Dentsu School of Influence in partnership with CSA is bringing that ambition to Cape Town.
Following a successful Johannesburg edition that saw emerging creators move into agency internships and brand partnerships, One Big Week will take place in Cape Town from 9 - 13 November 2026, opening the programme to a new wave of South African creative talent.
With its combination of music, fashion, film, food, design and digital culture, Cape Town has become fertile ground for a new generation of storytellers. One Big Week now arrives to help those creators turn cultural relevance into commercial opportunity.
Over three intensive days, selected participants will work alongside strategists, brand leaders and industry experts through masterclasses, mentorship and live briefs designed to expose them to the realities of building a career in the creator economy.
The focus goes beyond content creation. Participants will explore how to negotiate commercial partnerships, understand their value, grow and retain audiences, work effectively with brands and manage the business behind their creativity.
Vicki Steenkamp, Client Services Director at Dentsu Influence Powered by CSA, says the Cape Town edition builds on what the programme learned in Johannesburg.
“Johannesburg showed us just how much ambition exists among young creators who want to turn what they love into something sustainable. One Big Week is about meeting that ambition with practical knowledge, industry experience and real-world opportunities. We’re thrilled to now bring the programme to Cape Town and discover the next generation of creative talent.”
For Davin Phillips, Executive Director at CSA, the shift taking place within the creator economy is increasingly clear. “The creators building sustainable careers today understand that influence is only the starting point. They need to understand their audience, their value and the business behind their creativity. Johannesburg showed us what’s possible when that creative ambition meets industry experience. Now we’re excited to see what Cape Town brings.”
Applications are open to emerging creators across South Africa building communities on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms who are ready to take the next step in turning their creativity into a career.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the online entry form via the official Are You The Next Big Creator? portal and submit the required supporting documents, including a certified copy of your ID and Matric certificate or relevant academic transcripts.
Applications close: Friday, 9 October 2026
One Big Week Cape Town: 9–13 November 2026
Incomplete applications will not be considered. In line with dentsu’s EE requirements, preference will be given to candidates from designated groups.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
- Instagram: @dentsu_sa | @csa.global
- TikTok: @dentsu_sa
- YouTube: @DENTSUCREATIVESA-t3g and @dentsussa792
