Our Three Step Process
August 8, 2025
CoLab Sessions Episode 1: A Cold Morning, Warm Energy, and the Power of Showing Up
Our Three Step Process
August 8, 2025
CoLab Sessions Episode 1: A Cold Morning, Warm Energy, and the Power of Showing Up
It started like many great creative days do — with nerves, coffee, and a weather report that made us all side-eye the sky. The morning of our very first CoLab Sessions was brutally cold. That type of Johannesburg chill that makes you second-guess if people will still show up. But we showed up anyway.
And so did the city.
By 9:00am, the ALX South Africa co-working space in Braamfontein was already buzzing. Laptops out, cameras rolling, hugs between collaborators who had only known each other online. What began as an idea — to build a space where creatives could share, collaborate, and showcase their projects — became real in a way that even we didn’t fully expect.
Thanks to ALX South Africa, who graciously hosted us and became the venue sponsors, we had the perfect backdrop: an open, modern space that holds the kind of energy needed for something like this. A huge shoutout to Creative Nestlings who helped us with execution, and to Graz Holding who brought the sound — crispy, clean and full of soul.
The day kicked off with an introduction by CoLab founders Sethu Nzimande and Benis Mulenda, diving straight into the heart of why collaboration is both magical and messy. There were real stories shared — the wins, the flops, the lessons. One highlight: a creative who’s also a lawyer by day breaking down why contracts are non-negotiable, and how even a simple written agreement can save your work (and relationships) in the long run.
Then came the featured guest storytellers — each one sharing not just what they do, but why they do it.
🎙️ Katleho Mavundla shared his journey of turning a deeply personal short story, The Church Killed My Friend, into a visual film.
🎨 Azeezah and Abigale from AA Gallerie spoke about curating a home for multidisciplinary African artists in Melville.
🎥 Creators of the South unpacked their visual media house and the passion behind events like The Mango Farm and their film WRAITH.
🎧 St Winston reminded us of the magic that happens when jazz, radio, and community intersect.
We even had Nicole Gray from ALX jump in to talk about the business of being a creative — and share details on their upcoming Freelancer Programme to help artists manage their careers with more clarity.
The energy? Intimate but electric. People were exchanging contacts mid-talk, jotting ideas, whispering, “yo, we should work together” between panelists.
And then the most beautiful part happened.
We opened the floor. Dozens of creatives stood up to share their own projects — from photographers to stylists, digital artists to filmmakers. Some came with printed lookbooks, some with just their voice and passion. But everyone came with something. The theme was clear: we’re all building something, and we don’t want to do it alone anymore.
Despite the cold and the unknowns, 55 creatives filled the room. And outside of it? Over 200 creatives waitlisted — a clear sign that the need is bigger than we thought. That the creative economy isn’t just alive — it’s ready to grow if we build the infrastructure around it.
What’s Next?
We’re back to the lab (pun intended), improving the CoLab platform to better support creative collaboration — from project briefs to team formation, and even contract templates. The next CoLab Session is already in motion, and we’re hoping to let more people in next time.
Because here's the truth:
Creativity is capital. Collaboration is the currency. And CoLab is the home.
Stay tuned. And more importantly, bring your craft.
And so did the city.
By 9:00am, the ALX South Africa co-working space in Braamfontein was already buzzing. Laptops out, cameras rolling, hugs between collaborators who had only known each other online. What began as an idea — to build a space where creatives could share, collaborate, and showcase their projects — became real in a way that even we didn’t fully expect.
Thanks to ALX South Africa, who graciously hosted us and became the venue sponsors, we had the perfect backdrop: an open, modern space that holds the kind of energy needed for something like this. A huge shoutout to Creative Nestlings who helped us with execution, and to Graz Holding who brought the sound — crispy, clean and full of soul.
The day kicked off with an introduction by CoLab founders Sethu Nzimande and Benis Mulenda, diving straight into the heart of why collaboration is both magical and messy. There were real stories shared — the wins, the flops, the lessons. One highlight: a creative who’s also a lawyer by day breaking down why contracts are non-negotiable, and how even a simple written agreement can save your work (and relationships) in the long run.
Then came the featured guest storytellers — each one sharing not just what they do, but why they do it.
🎙️ Katleho Mavundla shared his journey of turning a deeply personal short story, The Church Killed My Friend, into a visual film.
🎨 Azeezah and Abigale from AA Gallerie spoke about curating a home for multidisciplinary African artists in Melville.
🎥 Creators of the South unpacked their visual media house and the passion behind events like The Mango Farm and their film WRAITH.
🎧 St Winston reminded us of the magic that happens when jazz, radio, and community intersect.
We even had Nicole Gray from ALX jump in to talk about the business of being a creative — and share details on their upcoming Freelancer Programme to help artists manage their careers with more clarity.
The energy? Intimate but electric. People were exchanging contacts mid-talk, jotting ideas, whispering, “yo, we should work together” between panelists.
And then the most beautiful part happened.
We opened the floor. Dozens of creatives stood up to share their own projects — from photographers to stylists, digital artists to filmmakers. Some came with printed lookbooks, some with just their voice and passion. But everyone came with something. The theme was clear: we’re all building something, and we don’t want to do it alone anymore.
Despite the cold and the unknowns, 55 creatives filled the room. And outside of it? Over 200 creatives waitlisted — a clear sign that the need is bigger than we thought. That the creative economy isn’t just alive — it’s ready to grow if we build the infrastructure around it.
What’s Next?
We’re back to the lab (pun intended), improving the CoLab platform to better support creative collaboration — from project briefs to team formation, and even contract templates. The next CoLab Session is already in motion, and we’re hoping to let more people in next time.
Because here's the truth:
Creativity is capital. Collaboration is the currency. And CoLab is the home.
Stay tuned. And more importantly, bring your craft.
It started like many great creative days do — with nerves, coffee, and a weather report that made us all side-eye the sky. The morning of our very first CoLab Sessions was brutally cold. That type of Johannesburg chill that makes you second-guess if people will still show up. But we showed up anyway.
And so did the city.
By 9:00am, the ALX South Africa co-working space in Braamfontein was already buzzing. Laptops out, cameras rolling, hugs between collaborators who had only known each other online. What began as an idea — to build a space where creatives could share, collaborate, and showcase their projects — became real in a way that even we didn’t fully expect.
Thanks to ALX South Africa, who graciously hosted us and became the venue sponsors, we had the perfect backdrop: an open, modern space that holds the kind of energy needed for something like this. A huge shoutout to Creative Nestlings who helped us with execution, and to Graz Holding who brought the sound — crispy, clean and full of soul.
The day kicked off with an introduction by CoLab founders Sethu Nzimande and Benis Mulenda, diving straight into the heart of why collaboration is both magical and messy. There were real stories shared — the wins, the flops, the lessons. One highlight: a creative who’s also a lawyer by day breaking down why contracts are non-negotiable, and how even a simple written agreement can save your work (and relationships) in the long run.
Then came the featured guest storytellers — each one sharing not just what they do, but why they do it.
🎙️ Katleho Mavundla shared his journey of turning a deeply personal short story, The Church Killed My Friend, into a visual film.
🎨 Azeezah and Abigale from AA Gallerie spoke about curating a home for multidisciplinary African artists in Melville.
🎥 Creators of the South unpacked their visual media house and the passion behind events like The Mango Farm and their film WRAITH.
🎧 St Winston reminded us of the magic that happens when jazz, radio, and community intersect.
We even had Nicole Gray from ALX jump in to talk about the business of being a creative — and share details on their upcoming Freelancer Programme to help artists manage their careers with more clarity.
The energy? Intimate but electric. People were exchanging contacts mid-talk, jotting ideas, whispering, “yo, we should work together” between panelists.
And then the most beautiful part happened.
We opened the floor. Dozens of creatives stood up to share their own projects — from photographers to stylists, digital artists to filmmakers. Some came with printed lookbooks, some with just their voice and passion. But everyone came with something. The theme was clear: we’re all building something, and we don’t want to do it alone anymore.
Despite the cold and the unknowns, 55 creatives filled the room. And outside of it? Over 200 creatives waitlisted — a clear sign that the need is bigger than we thought. That the creative economy isn’t just alive — it’s ready to grow if we build the infrastructure around it.
What’s Next?
We’re back to the lab (pun intended), improving the CoLab platform to better support creative collaboration — from project briefs to team formation, and even contract templates. The next CoLab Session is already in motion, and we’re hoping to let more people in next time.
Because here's the truth:
Creativity is capital. Collaboration is the currency. And CoLab is the home.
Stay tuned. And more importantly, bring your craft.
Other Blogs
Check our other project Blogs with useful insight and information for your businesses
Other Blogs
Check our other project Blogs with useful insight and information for your businesses
Other Blogs
Check our other project Blogs with useful insight and information for your businesses