Welcome to the Debut Programme: Empowering Emerging Artists in South Africa! At the heart of BASA's dynamic relationship with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture lies a defining programme - The Debut Programme. Unparalleled in its mission, this programme is dedicated to providing emerging artists from all nine provinces of South Africa with vital business and entrepreneurial skills. Our commitment is simple but powerful: equipping participants with diverse skills encompassing everything they need to bring their creative business ventures to life and sustain them in the long run. Divided into three transformative phases - Kickstarter, Hlanganisa, and Catalyst - the Debut Programme follows a systematic approach to mentoring our artists. We ensure they gain full-scale access to essential information and valuable networks, guiding them every step of the way, from the spark of an idea to the successful implementation of their ventures. Join us on this incredible journey as we empower artists, foster creativity, and fuel innovation across South Africa. Let's build a brighter, more vibrant future for the arts!
Applications for the 4th iteration of the Debut Fund Programme are now open.
If you’re a South African creative entrepreneur aged 18–35 living in a rural or peri-urban community, this programme provides business development support, mentorship and practical training to help turn your creative idea into a sustainable enterprise.
Applications close: 17 July 2026
he Debut Programme kicked off on April 15th with the Kickstarter Training, marking its official launch for 450 participants. This phase provided participants with a robust toolkit designed to transform their creative ideas into thriving ventures. Through the ABCD Paradigm and Lean Canvas Model, the workshop aimed to uncover abundant opportunities within and around the participants.
The Kickstarter Workshop delivered an engaging week-long experience, featuring group activities, case studies, and insightful videos. Participants embarked on a journey to explore their ideas, dissecting essential elements crucial for their development. Throughout the workshop, they were introduced to new models, terminology, and inspiring success stories of artists who started from humble beginnings.
Following the workshop, the Kickstarter Mentorship phase took place from April 22nd to 26th, offering personalized guidance to aspiring creative entrepreneurs. Participants subsequently submitted their Kickstarter Assignments, showcasing their newly acquired skills and creativity. These assignments were evaluated, leading to 205 outstanding participants advancing to the Hlanganisa Phase. This milestone propels us into the next stage of the Debut Programme, scheduled to commence on July 15th.
The Debut Programme is structured into three key phases – Kickstarter, Hlanganisa, and Catalyst.
During the Hlanganisa Phase, participants will delve into working sprints, an agile method for testing a service or product. They will further develop their skills in launching a new creative business venture. The 205 participants from all nine provinces of South Africa can anticipate refining their expertise in the following areas:
The Debut Fund Programme began with 450 participants in the Kickstarter Phase, from which 204 advanced to the Hlanganisa Phase. Following an independently adjudicated process, the Top 53 participants have now been selected to take part in the Catalyst Phase — the final stage of the third iteration of the programme.
Participants were assessed on their completion of the Hlanganisa curriculum, how effectively they applied their learnings to their creative businesses, the quality of their financial and expenditure reports, and their performance during the Pitch Den presentations.
This year, the programme celebrates significant growth — expanding from 24 Catalysts in the previous cycle to 53 in this one — a reflection of both the programme’s evolution and the growing strength of South Africa’s creative entrepreneurs.
The Catalyst Phase builds on the insights gained from earlier phases and responds directly to identified skills gaps. It provides focused support and resources to help participants strengthen and sustain their creative enterprises. This includes individual and group mentorship, an intensive professional bootcamp, and financial investment — all aimed at equipping each Catalyst to grow their personal, artistic, and entrepreneurial potential.
The Debut Programme is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
