Clout/SA, officially launched in June 2021, as a purpose-driven enterprise, creative agency, and B2B market-maker for South African design. Clout/SA’s mission is to promote South Africa’s creativity, craftsmanship, and heritage while creating opportunities for collaboration between designers and makers. Its flagship initiatives, including the Hot Young Designers (HYD) competition and Portal to Africa, both of which have been instrumental in developing local talent and expanding the global reach of South African design.
As a central pillar of Clout/SA’s broader mission, Portal to Africa serves as both a marketplace and a platform for showcasing South African craftsmanship globally focused on furniture and lighting design. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and economic opportunities for local designers, Clout/SA is establishing a category brand for bespoke furniture and lighting while elevating South African design on the international stage.
Impact Amplifier is supporting Clout/SA on three distinct initiatives: 1) Measuring its impact on the furniture and lighting sector since inception; 2) Conducting an ethical assessment of the business practices of all the companies hosted on the Portal; and 3) Developing recommendations on how to establish a globally and locally recognised South African design category brand. By developing a comprehensive framework, Impact Amplifier is defining the goals, metrics, and strategies required for this initiative. This includes conducting stakeholder interviews, researching industry and global standards, and facilitating discussions to align Clout/SA on a unified strategy. By addressing key questions about what constitutes a South African design brand and how its impact is being measured, Impact Amplifier is providing a structured and actionable approach to guide Clout/SA’s efforts in shaping a cohesive vision.
Alongside the framework development, Impact Amplifier is conducting a baseline assessment to map the design sector’s evolution over the past decade. This involves engaging with designers, curators, and critics, surveying the broader Clout/SA portfolio, and analysing ethical practices and growth metrics within the network. These activities are clarifying the current state of the industry and equipping Clout/SA with the tools and insights needed to monitor and influence sector growth.
As of December 2024, Impact Amplifier finalised an Impact Report assessing the effect of Clout/SA annual procurement of South African designer furniture and lighting businesses through the Portal to Africa. It explored key impact-enabling factors, like business growth, jobs created and sustained, enhanced employee benefits, living wage, and industry transformation. The report also highlights the background of these designers and recommends strategies for Clout/SA to amplify future impact.
The ethical assessment and category brand recommendations are planned for completion by mid-March 2025.
Client:
Nando's
Locations:
South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, USA, Australia, New Zealand
Date:
2012 - Present
Client:
Google.org
Locations:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Date:
June 2020 - Present
Client:
SAB Foundation
Locations:
South Africa
Date:
2018 - Present