[PRESS OFFICE] 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.
- Instagram: @dentsu_sa | @csa.global
- TikTok: @dentsu_sa
- YouTube: @DENTSUCREATIVESA-t3g and @dentsussa792
For further information, contact:
Esther Ngobeni Lindile Ndwayana
Communications Lead Strategic Communications Lead
011 507 9209 072 524 1956
esther.ngobeni@dentsu.com Lindile@csa.global
About Dentsu School of Influence
The Dentsu School of Influence in partnership with CSA is a creator development programme established by dentsu and delivered in partnership with CSA. The initiative is designed to help emerging creators unlock opportunities in the creator economy through mentorship, commercial education, industry exposure and practical experience. By focusing on entrepreneurial thinking and business readiness, the programme helps creators build sustainable careers and long-term value from their creative talent.
About dentsu
Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world’s leading organizations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now present in over 145 countries and regions, it has a proven track record of nurturing and developing innovations, combining the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for clients. Dentsu delivers end-to-end experience transformation (EX) by integrating its services across Media, CXM and Creative, while its business transformation (BX) mindset pushes the boundaries of transformation and sustainable growth for brands, people and society.
Dentsu, Innovating to Impact.
Find out more:
About CSA
CSA is a culture-led business working at the intersection of storytelling, talent, influence and brand relevance, helping brands connect with audiences in more authentic and meaningful ways.
Find out more: www.csa.global
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