Buyer registration for WTM Africa 2027 is officially open. Taking place from 7–9 April 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Africa’s premier B2B travel and tourism exhibition is calling on outbound travel buyers, travel technology professionals and decision-makers to claim their spot.
The 2027 edition is shaping up to be the most geographically diverse yet, bringing together an expanding roster of destinations and suppliers alongside the trends, technologies and market opportunities shaping travel across the continent and beyond.
“If you’re serious about doing business across the African travel and tourism landscape, this is where you need to be,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director for Travel, Tourism and Sports at RX Africa.
“Representation on the show floor is expanding, with new and returning regions adding depth and diversity to the buyer experience, along with valuable opportunities to grow their networks and forge new partnerships.”
Based on the current sales pipeline, the 2027 show is expected to feature expanded representation from the following markets. Some have participated previously and are increasing their presence, while others will be joining the event for the first time:
North Africa: Egypt and Algeria
West Africa: Nigeria and Benin
East Africa and the Indian Ocean: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion
Southern Africa: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola
The Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
For outbound travel buyers and travel technology professionals, this breadth of representation means more destinations to explore, more suppliers to meet, and more partnerships to forge, all under one roof, over three focused days.
“We are proud and excited to welcome the world’s travel and tourism community to Cape Town once again for the 2027 instalment of WTM Africa in April next year,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor Cape Town. “As the premier travel and tourism expo on the continent, this important event creates invaluable opportunities to connect, collaborate and unlock new possibilities for African tourism. With an even broader range of destinations, suppliers and industry expertise coming together, this promises to be an exciting edition. I encourage travel buyers and tourism professionals to register now and secure their place at this important gathering in our city.”
Buyers’ Club: A smarter way to work the show
WTM Africa’s Buyers’ Club is back, and it means business. Designed exclusively for qualified buyers with genuine purchasing and contracting authority, the Club delivers a focused, high-value experience built around the connections and products that drive real commercial results.
Buyers’ Club 2027 membership includes:
Priority access to new destinations, suppliers, and product developments.
Exclusive networking with exhibitors and senior industry decision-makers.
Access to the dedicated Buyers’ Lounge, with complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments, and lunch.
Members will also qualify for travel discounts, with details of participating offers to be announced soon.
“Buyers come to WTM Africa with clear commercial objectives, so every part of the experience is designed to make their time count,” says De Jager. “From pre-scheduled meetings and targeted networking to relevant industry content, we want buyers to leave with valuable contacts, fresh market intelligence and tangible opportunities for growth.”
Register now
Buyer registration for WTM Africa 2027 is open now. Don’t wait. Qualified travel buyers and purchasing decision-makers are encouraged to register today and start building their show experience.
WTM Africa 2027
7–9 April 2027
CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa – September 2026 – The FAME Shorts Film Festival has announced the nominees for its 2026 Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement across 17 categories and recognising the filmmakers, performers and creative teams behind this year’s festival programme.
The FAME Shorts Film Festival Awards will take place on 30 October 2026, ahead of the official festival programme, which runs from 30 October to 1 November at The Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town.
Now in its fourth edition, FAME Shorts brings together short films from Africa and around the world across fiction, documentary, animation and student filmmaking. Since its launch, the festival has screened 129 films, providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with audiences and become part of the wider screen industry gathered in Cape Town for FAME Week Africa.
The awards recognise the complete filmmaking process, celebrating storytelling, directing, cinematography, editing, music, design and performance, alongside dedicated awards for documentary, LGBTQ+ representation and student filmmaking.
“Four years into FAME Shorts, I’m incredibly proud of the range of filmmakers and stories the festival continues to attract,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa. “Short film gives filmmakers the freedom to experiment, take risks and tell stories in unexpected ways. These nominations celebrate the films audiences see on screen, while also recognising the extraordinary creative talent and craft behind them.”
2026 FAME Shorts Film Festival Award Nominees
BEST SHORT FILM
‘Aasvoëls (Vultures)’
‘APART’
‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
‘Everything Between Us’
BEST DIRECTOR
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Naishe Nyamubaya – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Pola Maneli – ‘APART’
Robyn Phillips – ‘Everything Between Us’
BEST SCREENPLAY
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Mo Harawe – ‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
Robyn Phillips & Brandon Clarke – ‘Everything Between Us’
Spike Lee, Tim Jones, Jeff Leisawitz & Lubabalo Matti – ‘APART’
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Cameron Baatjies – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Jason Prins – ‘Everything Between Us’
Pauline Pyras – ‘Burning Lies’
Jason Prins – ‘Vimba! 2’
BEST EDITING
Dan Sadowsky – ‘Dears in the Headlights’
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Shelby Ncube – ‘Everything Between Us’
Shelby Ncube – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
BEST USE OF MUSIC
Black Coffee + Jamute – ‘APART’
Chris Laco Snyman – ‘Everything Between Us’
Lungile Themba – ‘Sikelela: The Enoch Sontonga Story’
Tendaiishe Chitima (Mavis) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Ydalie Turk (Jess) – ‘Colour of Dreams’
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Pinchuck (Claudia) – ‘Dread’
Jill Levenberg (Gayle) – ‘Aasvoëls’
Nellie Modimola (Thandiwe) – ‘Everything Between Us’
Wizzy Mangoma (Chirongoma) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
BEST ACTOR
Edwin van der Walt (Paul) – ‘Aasvoëls’
Innes Maas (Simon) – ‘Everything Between Us’
Leroy Siyafa (James) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Omar Abdi (Hanfade) – ‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Albert Pretorius (Anton) – ‘Aasvoëls’
David Sherwood (Alfred) – ‘The Man, The Cliff and The Dog’
Hénoc Kiyombo (Raymond) – ‘Leopard of Congo’
Brian Ogola (Benjamin) – ‘GOAT’
BEST LGBTQ+
‘Dread’
‘Everything Between Us’
‘Luna’
‘Queezy Visits the Races’
BEST DOCUMENTARY
‘Amigo the Griot’
‘Dears in the Headlights’
‘Talking to Family’
BEST STUDENT FILM
‘It’s Just a Movie’
‘Sugarcane, Burning’
‘Talking to Family’
‘Queezy Visits the Races’
The winners will be revealed at the FAME Shorts Film Festival Awards on 30 October, setting the stage for three days of screenings and filmmaker experiences as the 2026 festival gets underway.
Tickets for the 2026 FAME Shorts Film Festival are on sale now through Quicket, with individual screening blocks priced at R75 and an All-Block Pass available for R275. Audiences can explore the full festival programme at www.fameshortsfilmfestival.com or read the official 2026 programme here.
“For us, FAME Shorts is about discovering filmmakers and celebrating the people behind the work,” adds Hiller. “Whether someone is making their first student film or has already built an international career, short film remains an incredible space for creativity. We want audiences to discover these stories and, importantly, remember the names behind them.”
The fourth edition of FAME Shorts continues the festival’s commitment to championing original voices, recognising filmmaking craft and creating a platform for the filmmakers shaping what audiences will be watching next.
970 attendees across three days, 260 + companies representing 20 countries, came together in Cape Town for practical insight, technology, networking and conversations shaping the future of customer experience in Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa, August 2026: CEM Africa 2026 concluded at the Century City Conference Centre following three days of strong engagement across Africa’s customer experience community.
The 14th edition welcomed 970 attendees from more than 260 companies across 20 countries, bringing together senior CX, customer service, marketing, digital, technology and transformation leaders alongside solution providers and industry partners.
The event achieved a Net Promoter Score of 69, reflecting a strong response from delegates and reinforcing the relevance of the CEM Africa platform.
Across the programme, delegates had access to 43 workshop and breakout sessions and 10 main stage content sessions, with feedback consistently highlighting the quality, relevance and practical value of the content.
Discussions tackled the issues shaping CX today, including AI adoption, trust, customer intelligence, employee experience, digital transformation, customer journeys and the growing pressure to demonstrate measurable business value.
Standout voices and timely conversations
Under the theme “Trust, Technology and the Human Future of CX in Africa”, the programme combined global perspective with distinctly African CX challenges and opportunities.
Business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield delivered “The Trust Advantage”, exploring the role of trust in reducing friction and creating stronger business outcomes.
Zahirah Variawa, Founder of The Fourth Thread, opened Day Two with “The Moments People Remember: Why the Experiences We Create Matter More Than We Think”, placing human connection firmly at the centre of customer experience.
Martin Urrutia, Head of Global Retail Experience at The LEGO Group, delivered “Experience Is the Brand”, examining how organisations can design experiences that differentiate, scale and build loyalty.
From the public sector, Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director-General at the Western Cape Government, presented “Citizen Experience by Design: Building Trust Through Better Public Services”, highlighting the importance of experience design in strengthening trust between institutions and the people they serve.
Together, these sessions reinforced one of the strongest messages to emerge from CEM Africa 2026: technology is reshaping customer engagement, but trust, relevance and human connection remain fundamental to great experience.
Engagement across every part of the event
CEM Africa 2026 was designed to encourage participation beyond the main stage.
Delegates moved throughout the venue between keynote sessions, 43 workshops and breakouts, panel discussions, solution demonstrations, the exhibition and direct conversations with technology providers and peers.
Day Zero set the tone with The Social Club: Play. Taste. Connect, live podcast discussions and opening drinks, creating an informal environment for the community to connect before the main conference programme began.
Across Days One and Two, engagement continued through the exhibition, matchmaking and smaller-format sessions, while Matchmaking and Happy Hour and the CEM Engage Party created further opportunities for delegates, speakers and partners to build relationships outside the formal programme.
The event closed with WiN CX Africa, bringing female leaders together around leadership, safety, trust and inclusion in customer and employee experience.
Strong response from partners
Sponsors and exhibitors also reported a highly positive response, with partners contributing actively to both the content programme and the wider event experience.
NiCE, Lead Sponsor of CEM Africa 2026, played a prominent but integrated role throughout the summit, bringing practical perspectives on AI-powered customer experience, enterprise AI agents and the evolving relationship between human and AI-enabled service.
The wider partner community contributed expertise across Voice of Customer, customer intelligence, automation, conversational engagement, journey orchestration, contact centres and CX measurement, helping ensure that technology conversations remained grounded in real operational and commercial challenges.
The numbers behind CEM Africa 2026
The post-event results underline both the scale of the community and the depth of engagement across the programme:
970 total attendance
260+ companies represented
20 countries represented
43 workshop and breakout sessions
10 main stage content sessions
+69 Event NPS
For CEM Africa, the NPS of 69 is particularly significant. It is not simply a measure of satisfaction, but an indication that delegates found genuine value in the content, connections and overall event experience.
“The response to CEM Africa 2026 has been incredibly encouraging. What stood out was the level of engagement across every part of the event, from the main stage and workshops to the exhibition, matchmaking and networking functions. An NPS of 69 reinforces that the community is finding real value in these conversations and in the connections CEM Africa creates.”
Terry Southam, Group Director retail – VUKA Group
Momentum builds towards CEM Johannesburg Edition
With the Cape Town flagship complete, attention now turns to the CEM Johannesburg Edition, taking place on 10–11 November 2026 at NH Hotel in Sandton.
The event expands to a full two-day format in 2026, bringing together senior CX decision-makers, practitioners and solution providers around practical workshops, peer-led insight, solution discovery and purposeful business networking.
The strong response in Cape Town is already carrying forward into Johannesburg, with growing interest from delegates, speakers and commercial partners.
Download the CEM Johannesburg Edition Sponsorship Brochure
CEM Africa is Africa’s leading customer experience summit and a platform for the people and organisations shaping the future of customer engagement across the continent.
Through its flagship Cape Town summit, the CEM Africa Awards and regional Editions, CEM Africa connects senior leaders, practitioners, technology providers and innovators around practical insight, collaboration and the business value of stronger customer experiences.
From French buyers, distributors and producers to co-production opportunities, creative entrepreneurship and cinema, France’s Destination Focus comes to life in Cape Town this October
This October, France takes centre stage at FAME Week Africa as the 2026 Destination Focus, bringing French and African creatives, producers, buyers, distributors, entrepreneurs and cultural organisations together to create new opportunities for collaboration and business.
Taking place from 28 to 30 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and then heading to the Rockefeller Hotel from 30 October to 1 November, the France Destination Focus will run throughout FAME Week Africa, with activity spanning film, television, music, fashion, design, gaming, publishing, digital creativity and cultural entrepreneurship.
At its heart, the Destination Focus is about creating stronger connections between France and Africa’s creative industries – putting people in the same room, opening doors to new markets and creating opportunities for African and French creatives to work together.
From bringing French producers to Cape Town interested in exploring co-production opportunities with African producers, to French buyers and distributors looking to discover African content, dedicated speed networking, industry conversations, the Création Africa programme and the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera, France will have a presence across the FAME Week Africa experience.
CREATING REAL BUSINESS AND CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES
For Africa’s film and television industry, one of the key elements of the Destination Focus will be the opportunity to meet French producers, buyers and distributors at FAME Week Africa and MIP Africa.
A delegation of French producers interested in co-production will participate in dedicated speed networking sessions, putting African and French producers directly across the table from one another. These focused meetings will provide an opportunity to introduce projects, identify areas of mutual interest and start conversations around potential partnerships.
French buyers and distributors will also attend, creating further opportunities for African producers and content owners to present their work, understand what the French market is looking for and explore potential acquisition, sales and distribution opportunities.
A dedicated co-production panel will take the conversation further, bringing together producers and industry experts working across film, television and animation to share their experiences and unpack the realities of international co-production.
From finding the right partner and developing a project together to financing, production and international distribution, the conversation will look at where the opportunities lie for French and African producers to work together.
“What excites me about having France as our Destination Focus is that this is about creating real opportunities. We’re bringing French producers, buyers and distributors to Cape Town to meet African creatives, we’re creating dedicated spaces for co-production conversations, and through initiatives such as Création Africa, we’re showcasing some brilliant creative businesses coming out of the continent. Then there’s the cultural side – from fashion and design to the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera. It’s a great mix of business, creativity and culture, and hopefully the start of some exciting new partnerships between France and Africa,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
CRÉATION AFRICA: SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE CREATIVITY
Another important part of France’s presence at FAME Week Africa will be Création Africa. This is an initiative of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), created to support entrepreneurs working within the cultural and creative industries.
The second edition attracted 340 applications, from which a Top 50 participated in an intensive seven-week mentorship phase before pitching to a jury. Fifteen businesses from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi were ultimately selected to move into the programme’s final incubation phase, receiving tailored business guidance, sector expertise, investor introductions and support to become funding-ready.
At FAME Week Africa, delegates will have the opportunity to meet these entrepreneurs and discover their work through the FAME Week Africa pop-up store, panel discussions and activities taking place throughout the event.
“Création Africa reflects France’s commitment to supporting the growth and international development of cultural and creative entrepreneurs across Southern Africa. This second edition demonstrates the quality, diversity and ambition of creative businesses emerging from the region. FAME Week Africa provides an important platform for these entrepreneurs to connect with industry leaders, investors and potential partners, while showcasing their work to wider audiences,” says Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho & Malawi and Director of the French Institute of South Africa.
Meet the Création Africa Top 15
The businesses represent an exciting cross-section of Southern Africa’s creative economy:
Music
Music Business Lab — Ninel Musson
Digital Media
iQHAWE Media — Renaé Mangena and Anastatia Nkhuna
Gaming and Interactive Media
Vetkoek Studios — Mamello Raboroko and Eric Gardiner
Film, Television and Animation
Better Yet — Hallie Haller
Lincoln Green Media — Kudakwashe “Kudi” Maradzika
Publishing
Bridge Books — Griffin Shea
Design and Craft
Pinda Furniture and Interior Design — Siyanda Mbele
Neimil — Keneilwe Mothoa and Lubabalo Mxalisa
Emotives Africa — Xolela Madlanga
Akhada Baskets — Tisungane Thomson
Fashion
SWANK JOZI — Lindelani Nedoboni
Thethana — Nkotseng Moleko
GUGUBYGUGU — Gugu Peteni
LEO SZN — Kirsten Leo
House of Xandria — Xandria Kawanga
Their presence at FAME Week Africa gives delegates an opportunity to discover not only the products and creative work emerging from the programme, but also to meet the entrepreneurs and businesses behind them and explore opportunities to work together.
FRENCH CINEMA COMES TO FAME WEEK AFRICA
Film will naturally form part of the France Destination Focus, with the African premiere screening of the highly anticipated The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l’Opéra). Directed by Alexandre Castagnetti and starring Deva Cassel, Julien de Saint-Jean, Romain Duris, and Laïka Blanc-Franquart the film brings Gaston Leroux’s iconic story into present-day Paris.
The story follows Anastasia, an 18-year-old dancer who arrives in Paris with dreams of joining the prestigious Opéra Garnier. While rehearsing Orpheus, a supposedly cursed opera said to have been composed by the Phantom, she becomes drawn to a mysterious pianist. As opening night approaches, strange accidents and unsettling revelations pull her into an impossible love story somewhere between reality and the supernatural.
Its inclusion at FAME Week Africa gives Cape Town audiences an opportunity to experience a major new piece of French cinema as part of the wider Destination Focus.
OPENING DOORS TO FRANCE
Beyond film and co-production, the Destination Focus will also look practically at how African creatives can connect and collaborate with France.
A dedicated cultural collaboration panel will bring together practitioners and organisations to explore opportunities available through French cultural institutions and programmes – from professional exchanges and training to project development, funding, partnerships and access to international markets.
The aim is to give African creatives greater insight into what opportunities exist and, importantly, how to access them.
ONE DESTINATION FOCUS. MANY WAYS TO CONNECT.
Création Africa, French producers, buyers and distributors, co-production speed networking, industry conversations and the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera are just some of what France will bring to FAME Week Africa this year.
The France Destination Focus is about getting people together and creating opportunities to do business. Whether that is an African producer meeting a French co-production partner, a buyer or distributor discovering their next African title, a creative entrepreneur making a new business connection, or audiences discovering new French cinema, we want people to leave FAME Week Africa with new contacts and conversations they can take forward.
BE PART OF IT
FAME Week Africa takes place from 28–30 October 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, bringing together African and international creatives, producers, buyers, distributors, entrepreneurs and industry decision-makers.
Join us in Cape Town this October to meet the people, discover the opportunities and be part of the growing creative relationship between France and Africa.
Strategic collaboration combines international trade-fair expertise with deep regional market knowledge, bringing analytica Lab Africa, IFAT Africa and Africa Automation Technology Fair together in 2027
Messe Muenchen India has announced a strategic partnership with RX Africa to strengthen the scale, reach and market impact of its premier co-located trade fairs, analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa, ahead of their 2027 editions.
The move will bring the Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) into the same co-located event from 06 – 08 July 2027, staged at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, giving exhibitors and visitors access to a broad ecosystem of complementary technologies.
RX Africa, part of RX Global, is one of Africa’s leading exhibition organizers, with a strong portfolio of established events across key industries and markets. With an experienced team on the ground, deep local market knowledge, and long-standing relationships with industry stakeholders, associations and business communities, RX Africa is well positioned to support the continued growth and development of analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa.
This collaboration aligns with Messe Muenchen India’s targeted expansion strategy across the African continent. The partnership is designed to further strengthen both trade fairs as robust, future-facing business platforms for international trade, industrial development and sectoral exchange.
As Southern Africa’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, refuse, and recycling, IFAT Africa serves as a critical hub for environmental technologies across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Co-located with analytica Lab Africa, the region’s leading trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, and biotechnology, the exhibitions already connect technology providers with industries addressing critical requirements in environmental management, research, testing, quality control and scientific development.
Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) adds another important dimension to the platform. With a 28-year legacy, AATF is Africa’s leading and most comprehensive automation technology platform, attracting visitors and international exhibitors from across the world.
Together, the three trade fairs will bring scientific analysis, environmental technologies, industrial-scale implementation and automation technologies into one integrated business environment.
Track Record of Industry Impact
Over the years, these co-located exhibitions have contributed meaningfully to industrial development across the region. The platforms have successfully facilitated international business relations and direct technology transfer by consistently bringing together government entities, municipal authorities, local stakeholders, key market leaders, and scientific researchers.
Past editions have actively driven regional market development by introducing specialized country pavilions from manufacturing hubs like Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Furthermore, the events have established a legacy of knowledge sharing through interactive seminars, technical training workshops, and forum presentations that address pressing regional infrastructure and analytical challenges.
Driving Next-Phase Regional Growth
As industries across Africa continue to modernize and scale, the demand for sophisticated laboratory sciences and sustainable environmental infrastructure has intensified.
This partnership responds directly to that market momentum. By combining Messe Muenchen India’s proven capability in building sector-leading trade fairs with RX Africa’s specialized regional insight and execution strength, the partnership aims to deliver an even more compelling showcase of technologies, expertise and business opportunity.
Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe München, said, “Africa is an important growth market for Messe München. Our approach is to combine the reach and expertise of our global trade fair networks with strong regional knowledge and established local relationships. Through this partnership with RX Africa, we are strengthening analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa as platforms for technology transfer, international business and long-term industrial development across the region.”
Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa), Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India said, “The true value of analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa lies in their ability to turn conversations into commercial realities. This alliance allows us to deepen those connections, ensuring that both local buyers and international exhibitors experience a far more impactful trade environment.”
The 2027 editions will feature an enhanced supporting program led by international experts, giving local buyers direct access to global market leaders and technologies. As part of the worldwide IFAT and analytica networks, which span Germany, China, India, Turkey, Vietnam, and the USA, the South African editions offer exhibitors and visitors a reliable gateway to international business relations.
Carol Weaving, Managing Director, RX Africa, added, “Our role in this collaboration is to bring strong regional insight and an established on-ground perspective to support the continued evolution of these already successful exhibitions. Together with Messe Muenchen India, we aim to strengthen market relevance and ensure the delivery of enhanced value and world-class solutions to the important industries served by these platforms.”
Plans are already underway for the 2027 editions, with both organizations aligning resources to deliver an expanded showcase of technologies and high-level networking opportunities. The upcoming editions will focus on bridging the gap between international innovation and regional execution, establishing a benchmark for industry events in the region.
About Messe Muenchen India
Established in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe München GmbH, Messe Muenchen India is one of the leading B2B trade fair organizers in the IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa) region. Its portfolio includes 25+ large-scale B2B trade fairs such as electronica India, productronica India, bauma CONEXPO India, IFAT India, analytica Lab India, analytica Africa, IFAT Africa among others. The company serves a wide range of industries, including electronics, capital goods, clean technology, environment, and life sciences—facilitating meaningful business connections and global knowledge exchange across the IMEA region.
About RX Africa
RX Africa is Africa’s leading exhibition organiser, creating business and consumer events that bring together people, markets and industries. Part of RX, a global leader in events and exhibitions, its portfolio spans sectors including travel and tourism, design and décor, media and entertainment, and pop culture, with established event brands such as World Travel Market Africa, ILTM Africa, Decorex Africa, FAME Week Africa and Comic Con Africa.
MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company, in partnership with FAME Week Africa, has announced an exclusive Unscripted Call for Projects for MIP Africa 2026, giving producers the opportunity to pitch bold, premium unscripted formats directly to MultiChoice Group.
The call is looking for original Entertainment and Reality concepts for premium channels, with an immediate hook, addictive storytelling and the potential to become conversation-driving cultural events.
Concepts should feel unmistakably premium, rather than conventional free-to-air entertainment, while remaining simple to understand, commercially viable and adaptable across markets.
Projects should be capable of travelling across key CANAL+ and MultiChoice Group territories, including South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Poland and France.
MultiChoice Group is looking for projects that demonstrate enhanced production value and ambition while remaining within a commercially viable budget framework. Concepts should not rely on large-scale financing and should be capable of being funded by one specific business unit before being scaled across additional markets.
“At CANAL+, we’re looking for premium unscripted reality concepts that surprise audiences, spark conversations and feel culturally relevant. We’re excited to hear about concepts with a bold and unique point of view, that keep audiences hooked episode after episode, and that have the ambition to scale across markets. This brief is an open invitation for creators who are ready to reimagine African entertainment and bring it to a global stage,” says Nomsa Philiso, Executive Vice President of Content for Canal+ Africa.
WHAT IS MULTICHOICE GROUP LOOKING FOR?
At the heart of the brief is a singular creative vision: an original and ambitious concept that can be explained in one sentence and does not rely on casting alone.
Projects should have clear engagement mechanics and dynamic pacing, with tension, twists, cliffhangers and strong narrative arcs that keep audiences watching across episodes.
Premium execution is equally important. Concepts should demonstrate the potential for cinematic production values, bold artistic direction, an authentic emotional core and a distinctive, self-aware point of view.
Casting should bring together diverse, charismatic and compelling participants, with unexpected choices that move beyond clichés and overused stereotypes.
Importantly, the format needs to be scalable and cost-efficient. Producers should demonstrate a clear and repeatable structure that can travel across cultures, support multiple seasons and, where relevant, benefit from a production hub model.
Ultimately, MultiChoice Group is looking for strong IP with the potential to develop into recurring franchises across MultiChoice Group and CANAL+ markets.
Genres actively sought include dating shows with a twist, reinvented game and talent shows, social experiments with a strong point of view, and adaptations of existing IP such as games, brands, fiction or digital culture.
“One of FAME Week Africa’s greatest strengths is getting African producers in the room with decision-makers who are actively looking for content. This Call for Projects gives producers a very clear brief: bring bold unscripted ideas with a strong hook, real entertainment value and the potential to travel across markets,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
WHAT DO PRODUCERS NEED TO SUBMIT?
Producers are required to submit:
A creative treatment in PDF format
An estimated production budget, including the principal cost assumptions
A proposed format and season structure, including episode duration, number of episodes and recurrence
The creative treatment should demonstrate that the project has progressed beyond simply having a good idea.
Under Creative Vision, producers should explain the concept’s hook in one sentence, what differentiates it from existing formats, how audiences should feel while watching, why the format is relevant now and the key proof points for why it will work.
Under Format Mechanics, submissions should identify the programme’s core engine — whether competition, game, social experiment or another mechanism — alongside the key rules and mechanics and what will create tension, cliffhangers and twists across episodes.
Storytelling and Pace should outline the proposed season structure, demonstrate how a typical episode works and identify the main narrative arcs and potential iconic moments.
Talent and Casting should explain who will participate, why they will be compelling to watch and whether any talent is already attached.
The Editorial DNA should demonstrate why the concept belongs on MultiChoice Group’s premium channels rather than conventional free-to-air television and explain what will make its execution feel distinctive and premium.
Producers should also demonstrate a clear understanding of Audience and Impact, including the core target audience, relevant existing communities and why the programme has the potential to generate conversation both in person and across social platforms.
Finally, submissions should address Global Franchise Potential: whether the concept can sustain multiple seasons, how it can evolve while remaining recognisable, and whether it can be efficiently adapted across different countries and cultures.
Shortlisted producers will be invited to Cape Town to pitch their projects live at FAME Week Africa 2026, presenting directly to the MultiChoice Group selection panel and giving them the opportunity to respond to the brief in person.
The live pitch places selected producers directly in front of the team looking for these formats, creating an opportunity to present the concept, explain its creative and commercial potential and demonstrate how it could work across MultiChoice Group and CANAL+ markets.
The Call for Projects forms part of FAME Week Africa’s continued focus on connecting African producers and creators directly with broadcasters, commissioners and platforms actively looking for new content.
Submissions close on 12 October 2026. You can submit your pitch here.
For queries, contact:
Laura Diaz
FAME Week Africa takes place from 28–30 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC2), bringing together broadcasters, streamers, producers, distributors, investors and creators from across Africa and international markets.
FAME Week Africa and Pressure Cooker Studios Launch Songwriting Camp Connecting African Music Makers with the Content Industry
FAME Week Africa and Pressure Cooker Studios are joining forces to launch the FAME Week Africa × Pressure Cooker Studios Songwriting Camp 2026, a three-day creative initiative designed to connect African music makers directly with filmmakers, directors, production companies, brands, agencies and content creators looking for original music.
Under the banner “You Bring the Story. We’ll Bring the Sound,” the Songwriting Camp will take place from 25–27 October 2026, immediately ahead of FAME Week Africa in Cape Town.
At the heart of the initiative is a simple idea: real briefs, real music, created by real African talent.
Rather than creating music in isolation and hoping it eventually finds the right project, the camp begins with the stories themselves. FAME Week Africa’s creative community is being invited to submit genuine projects that could benefit from an original piece of music.
FROM BRIEF TO MUSIC
Filmmakers, directors, documentary makers, agencies, brands, production companies and content creators are invited to submit a creative brief outlining their project, the emotion they want to create and where music fits within their story.
From the submissions, three to six briefs will be selected and paired with curated music teams comprising South African producers, composers and musicians working alongside Pressure Cooker Studios. During the three-day camp, those teams will transform the selected briefs into original, sync-ready music demos.
Selected participants will then have an opportunity to hear the music, receive demos and stems to test within their edits, and decide whether the music is right for their project.
There is no cost to submit a brief, and if your project is selected, you’ll receive original music created specifically for your brief at no cost, with no obligation to use it. If you choose to use the track commercially, you’ll have the opportunity to license it at applicable production music rates, with optional exclusivity available.
CREATING NEW CONNECTIONS
The collaboration reflects FAME Week Africa’s continued drive to break down silos between the continent’s creative sectors and create tangible opportunities for collaboration.
“One of the things we want FAME Week Africa to do is create real opportunities for different parts of the creative industries to work together. Music is such a powerful part of storytelling, yet filmmakers and music creators don’t always have the opportunity to connect early enough in the creative process. This collaboration with Pressure Cooker Studios changes that. We’re bringing the story and the sound into the same room, working from real briefs and giving African creatives an opportunity to build relationships that can continue long after the camp ends,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
“There is incredible musical talent across Africa, and equally exciting stories being developed across film, television, advertising and digital content. This camp is about connecting those two worlds in a practical way. Instead of writing music and hoping it eventually finds a home, our teams will be responding to real stories, real characters and real creative briefs. We’re excited to see what happens when talented music makers are given the opportunity to create specifically for the stories coming out of the FAME Week Africa community, says Katryn Nieuwoudt, Music Catalogue & Publishing Lead: Pressure Cooker Studios”
The Songwriting Camp also gives filmmakers and content creators direct access to the expertise and infrastructure of Pressure Cooker Studios, a Cape Town-based music and audio studio whose capabilities span original music composition, sound design, final mix, ADR, Foley and music supervision. The studio operates from a 720m² facility that includes Dolby Atmos theatres, a Foley stage, recording and control rooms, and dedicated composition and audio-edit suites.
For the music makers involved, the camp creates an opportunity to respond to actual content briefs and build relationships with the people commissioning and creating work across film, television, advertising and digital media.
It is also deliberately a development platform rather than a commissioning service. The aim is to give both sides the freedom to experiment, collaborate and discover what can happen when a story and the right sound find each other.
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
The call is open to agencies and brands, filmmakers and directors, documentary makers, production companies and content creators, including those developing passion projects. Participants retain all rights to their own projects and materials throughout the process. The camp is exclusive to the FAME Week Africa community.
BRING US YOUR STORY
Have a film, series, documentary, campaign or piece of content that needs an original sound? This is your opportunity to hear what African music makers could create for it.
Submitting is free. Selected projects will be matched with a curated creative team and developed during the FAME Week Africa × Pressure Cooker Studios Songwriting Camp from 25–27 October 2026.
Building businesses, connecting communities and creating platforms where people, ideas and opportunities meet.
For almost three decades, RX Africa has been creating platforms that bring businesses, industries and communities together across South Africa and beyond.
The South African legal entity behind RX Africa was established in 1997, with the business becoming part of Reed Exhibitions through a joint venture in 2013. In 2021, it adopted the RX brand identity, becoming part of a global network spanning more than 400 events across 22 countries and 43 industry sectors.
Based in Woodmead, Johannesburg, RX Africa organises exhibitions primarily in Johannesburg and Cape Town, connecting local, pan-African and international participants.
At its heart, the business describes its purpose simply: building businesses by creating powerful face-to-face and digital platforms where people can connect, learn, source products, build relationships and do business.
A Diverse Portfolio with Global Reach
RX Africa’s portfolio spans a broad range of industries, including travel and tourism, design and décor, pop culture and gaming, film, arts, media and entertainment, manufacturing and industrial automation.
Its recognised event brands include World Travel Market Africa, ILTM Africa, FAME Week Africa, Decorex Africa, 100% Design Africa, Comic Con Africa and the Africa Automation Technology Fair.
What sets RX Africa apart is the combination of local market knowledge with the resources, data capabilities and international reach of a global events business.
The focus extends beyond individual events. RX Africa builds year-round communities, connects African businesses with international markets and combines face-to-face engagement with digital tools and data to create more relevant experiences and measurable commercial value.
A Roar-Worthy Achievement
RX Africa had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 AAXO ROAR Awards, taking home an impressive 11 awards across event delivery, marketing, social media and operations.
FAME Week Africa was named Exhibition of the Year, while Comic Con Africa, Decorex Joburg, WTM Africa, ILTM Africa, Comic Con Cape Town and the Africa Automation Technology Fair were also recognised.
For RX Africa, the achievement reflects the creativity, commitment and high standards of its teams across the business.
Looking After People, Building the Future
One of the lesser-known chapters in RX Africa’s story came during the COVID-19 shutdown.
While the events industry faced unprecedented uncertainty, RX Africa retained its core team and continued paying employees their full salaries. This was made possible in part by a decision Managing Director Carol Weaving had made years earlier to take out communicable-disease insurance, recognising the potential risks associated with operating and travelling across Africa.
It was an unexpected example of forward planning that helped protect the company’s people during one of the industry’s most difficult periods.
Today, that focus on people extends to the next generation.
Through its NextGen initiative, RX Africa works with universities and industry partners to create meaningful pathways into tourism, hospitality and events. Young people are given opportunities to participate in conference content, practical workshops, live business challenges, networking and mentorship, with the programme also connecting participants to internships, employment opportunities and professional mentors.
What’s Next for RX Africa?
Over the next 12–24 months, RX Africa plans to deepen its data-led digital transformation, with a focus on more personalised customer journeys, stronger year-round communities and clearer measures of return on investment for exhibitors, sponsors and partners.
The business is also advancing its 2027 sustainability programme, focusing on reducing paper consumption, encouraging responsible travel, improving recycling and waste management, and promoting more sustainable exhibition-stand practices across its portfolio.
Meet the Person Behind the Business
Carol Weaving | Managing Director, RX Africa
Carol Weaving’s career in exhibitions spans more than 35 years, but her journey to leading one of Africa’s best-known exhibition businesses was anything but conventional.
After moving from the United Kingdom to South Africa, Carol built her career through a combination of entrepreneurship, leadership and a willingness to take on new challenges.
She became the youngest director and first female director of the Automobile Association at Kyalami Racetrack, before establishing her own business, International Exhibition Consultants. She subsequently sold a majority share to Dutch exhibition company RAI and went on to head RAI South Africa.
In 2004, she facilitated the sale of RAI’s shares to Thebe Tourism Group. Then, in 2013, Reed Exhibitions entered into a joint venture with Thebe Tourism Group and Carol to acquire a majority share in Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group.
That business evolved through several iterations, from Thebe Reed Exhibitions to Reed Exhibitions Africa and ultimately RX Africa.
What started as a career in marketing and exhibitions became more than three decades of entrepreneurship, partnerships, acquisitions and growth.
From Radio to Exhibition Halls
Carol’s first job was actually in radio marketing in the UK, where she developed an early grounding in communication, understanding audiences and creating experiences that engage people.
After moving to South Africa, she entered the exhibition industry with Systems Exhibitions. One of the first events she managed was The Great Safari Show, which had just 30 exhibitors and attracted approximately 5,000 visitors.
Her career has since included organising and launching events across numerous sectors, managing major venues including the Dome for 23 years, and contributing to projects such as the early development of the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The Magic Is Still in the Connection
What does Carol love most about the exhibition industry?
Taking an idea and bringing it to life.
For her, there is something particularly rewarding about watching a concept become a platform that connects people, creates opportunities and helps businesses grow.
And despite the industry’s rapid technological evolution, one thing remains constant.
“People continue to want to do business with people they know, like and trust.”
She enjoys seeing exhibitors secure new opportunities, industries come together to solve challenges and young professionals discover connections that can change the direction of their careers.
For Carol, there is also something special about watching an empty venue transform into a thriving business community.
What Comes Next?
Carol believes the biggest changes facing exhibitions over the next three to five years will come through data, artificial intelligence and digital tools, particularly in the way organisers personalise customer journeys and demonstrate measurable value.
Events are likely to become increasingly connected before, during and after the physical experience, creating year-round communities rather than one-off interactions.
Sustainability will also become an increasingly fundamental requirement, influencing everything from travel and stand construction to waste management and procurement.
But technology, she believes, will enhance rather than replace face-to-face events.
Because at the heart of the industry, human connection still matters.
A Career Built on Adaptability
If more than 35 years in events have taught Carol anything, it is to be adaptable and resilient.
Live events rarely go exactly according to plan. The ability to remain calm, find a solution and keep moving forward is part of the job.
She also believes in doing your homework, making informed decisions and then having the courage to trust your instincts.
“Not every idea will succeed, but it is always better to try, learn and move forward than to be afraid of failure.”
Beyond the Boardroom
There is another side to Carol that may surprise those who know her primarily as a business leader.
She describes herself as something of a contradiction: she loves socialising, travelling, Formula 1 and anything involving adrenaline. Her adventures have included skydiving, bungee jumping, fighter-jet flying and shark diving.
But she is equally happy being a homebody, enjoying peace and quiet and spending time building LEGO.
It is perhaps an appropriate combination for someone who has spent a career balancing entrepreneurial drive with the patience and focus needed to build something lasting.
The Philosophy That Keeps Her Moving
Carol’s advice is straightforward:
“Believe in yourself, work hard and never give up.”
For her, the principle applies equally to business, leadership and life. Self-belief, preparation and determination can take you further than you might imagine.
And judging by a 35-year journey that has taken her from UK radio marketing to the helm of one of Africa’s leading exhibition businesses, it’s a philosophy that has served her well.
RX Africa at a Glance
Established: 1997 Head Office: Woodmead, Johannesburg Global Network: 400+ events | 22 countries | 43 industry sectors Team: 42 full-time employees, plus contractors and temporary staff Managing Director: Carol Weaving Industry Experience: 35+ years Key Sectors: Travel & Tourism | Design & Décor | Pop Culture & Gaming | Film, Arts, Media & Entertainment | Manufacturing & Industrial Automation AAXO ROAR Awards 2026: 11 awards
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
CRÉATION AFRICA: SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE CREATIVITY
Carol Weaving | Managing Director, RX Africa