Protection of Craft Products Embodied in Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa

The Culture and Creative industries are commonly recognised as one of the strategic sectors. This sector has the potential for innovation and development which may lead to economic growth of a nation. Even though the culture and creative industries (CCIs) is the focus of several studies, precise consideration has not been given to the craft sectors as an essential component of the South African industrial development. The objective of this research is to identify the problems faced by crafts sectors, and to address those issues by providing policy intervention towards protection and sustainability of the sector. Also, the position of craft has been widely acknowledged, but the research regarding the protection of craft products is scarce. This gives rise to the research question: how can the crafts sectors be protected towards the sustainability and development of these sectors? This study provides an overview of the concept of craft and the CCIs focusing on the craft production and marketing activities. For this study, a qualitative research was conducted using a secondary data, and conducting an in-depth interview with crafters in the city of Durban South Africa. The results established some basic issues that need an urgent intervention towards the preservation of the craft sector in South Africa