Partnership for creativity

WHEN Andrew Levy and Gilbert Pooley discussed their dreams of establishing an organisation that would fund and drive learnership programmes for creative youngsters from “eKasi” (townships) with Investec in 2009, the financial services company listened keenly.

“Our plan for Umuzi is to change the South African narrative through creativity by helping develop the next generation of copywriters, digital marketers, photographers and graphic designers, and give them access to industry networks and on-the-job experience to get into the creative industry,” says Levy.

With its CSI strategy centred on education and entrepreneurship, Investec recognised Pooley and Levy’s Umuzi project as an effective, dynamic way of creating employment and stimulating socioeconomic growth. So the Umuzi-Investec partnership, which has since evolved and expanded, was formed shortly after Umuzi opened its doors almost six years ago.

In 2014, the Umuzi Academy, funded by Investec, saw 50 candidates graduate and go on to earn their livelihoods in the creative industry. This year, 60 aspiring young creatives are learning a professional creative craft at Umuzi and through internships with leading South African creative agencies, media houses and public relations companies. Last night, the Umuzi-Investec partnership was awarded the Basa Development Award, which honours projects with an implicit educational and development element.

“At the risk of sounding cliché, we have the ideal partnership,” says Levy. “And it’s not only Umuzi, Investec and the graduates who are realising dreams and objectives. We’ve also partnered with the Creative Circle, which facilitates internships with leading agencies and helps the industry meet its transformation requirements.”