The workshop aims to share skills with aspiring and rising artists in sessions that are guided by industry specialists. These include some of the country's leading content creators.

The sessions are focused on helping creators:
  • build their businesses sustainably
  • work with brands, and
  • use YouTube Shorts to further express their creativity. 
The event is part of a series of events being held in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria to mark Africa Month and spotlight the continent's creative talent. 

To celebrate Africa Day on Wednesday, 25 May YouTube will live stream the third edition of its popular Africa Day concert.

"Everything from Africa, from Afrobeats to fashion and beauty to the newest dance techniques, is making its way to YouTube and finding a following," says Zeph Masote, YouTube lead for Southern Africa.

Masote adds, "YouTube is committed to providing a platform to share African culture with the world, and providing African creators with programmes and initiatives which will help them grow their channels, improve their craft and reach larger audiences."

Data released in February 2022 shows that the South African creator ecosystem on YouTube is growing, with the percentage of YouTube channels making six figures or more (in ZAR), growing by 40% year on year.

Over 300 South African channels boast a subscriber count of over 100 000. Over 65% of watch time on content produced by channels in South Africa comes from outside of South Africa.

Over the years, YouTube has demonstrated its commitment to helping African creators grow their channels and build their careers through initiatives like YouTube Black Voices (which is aimed at boosting Black viewpoints on the platform) and NextUp, which provides:
  • one-on-one coaching
  • workshops, and
  • training for creators.
Masote concludes, "YouTube has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African sound, exporting African music to listeners all over the world. It brings people to a continent that outsiders may not have experienced for themselves, opening up the world of African music, culture and dance beyond just the sound."

For more information, visit www.youtube.com.