We recently had the pleasure of hosting a dynamic group of young, emerging, and aspiring creators as part of our #LevelUpAfrica initiative. Launched in 2021, this initiative has already impacted the careers of hundreds of talented South African content creators, leading to an inspiring and nurturing community.

At the heart of our programme lies an immersive in-person experience where content creators can learn from each other. Our team led a series of exclusive educational masterclasses and gave them insights into our Community Guidelines, the best use of the tools in the app, and the Trust and Safety guide, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to craft engaging and responsible content. The two-day inaugural gathering took place at the Mea Culpa in Johannesburg on 28 and 29 September, with diverse creators in attendance.

Content creator Yoliswa Gumede shares her experience of our programme and key insights she acquired: “The most important lesson that I learned while I was attending these events is defining my unique selling point as an influencer that helped me build my brand and my community on TikTok. That helped me hyperfocus on the type of content and community I want to create on TikTok.

Renowned in global esports, Sam “Tech Girl” Wright is a prominent figure, commanding attention as both a content creator and a recognisable voice. Her curiosity led to the #LevelUpAfrica programme, and this is what she had to say:“My biggest takeaway is that even though our niches are all very different, as creators, we're all facing similar challenges. Many monetisation workshops have empowered me to push back to brands wanting to work with me on the platform and give them educated responses on what content will work rather than trying to follow a script presented.”

With 52 million views, 2.5 million followers and the title of Multi-Award Winning Creator, Nathan Molefe has proven he is the king of content. Regardless of his success on our platform, he continues looking at ways to elevate his content creation skills. In a one-on-one session, he shares what led to his success on our platform: “To make my content more noticeable, I use hashtags and keep up with popular trends and sounds. The key is consistency. Just keep posting, and you will get to where you want to be. Also, engage with your audience!”

Through the TikTok #LevelUpAfrica programme, we have amplified South African creators’ voices and unlocked valuable economic opportunities, allowing them to cultivate their personal brands and explore potential collaborations and partnerships.