South Africa’s economy is overdue for a reinvention. Growth remains sluggish, unemployment remains one of the highest globally, and our power and infrastructure crises continue to hinder progress. Amid these challenges lies an opportunity to reimagine how we solve problems, do business, and equip the next generation to flourish.
Why Creative Thinking Is At The Heart Of That Opportunity
We’re not talking about painting, poetry, or passion projects (though there’s value in all of that too). Solving complex business problems with originality, empathy, logic, and vision can’t be replaced by AI or automation.
‘We have to shake off this outdated notion that creativity doesn’t pay,’ said Verusha Maharaj, Managing Director of Red & Yellow Creative School of Business. ‘Creativity drives business. It powers brands, fuels innovation, and solves problems in fresh, human ways.’
Here Are The Creative Solutions We Have Been Looking For
While advertising, branding, and design are often associated with ‘creative’ careers, the demand for creative thinking spans every industry. From data science to digital marketing, web development to business analytics, the modern business world needs hybrid thinkers and people who can apply logic and imagination to challenges.
‘We don’t teach creativity for creativity’s sake,’ Maharaj explained. ‘We teach creative thinking that’s plugs into business strategy. This helps us support thinkers, doers, and changemakers, and people who are trained to solve problems in more than one way.’
Students from forward-thinking business schools today walk away with a certificate and practical experience. Their education is often grounded in real-world application, taught by industry-active lecturers, and shaped around solving tangible challenges. Whether it’s developing a go-to-market strategy, analysing consumer behaviour, or designing intuitive user experiences, these graduates are equipped to hit the ground running.
Many are trained to think outside of the box of the conventional job title. They’re Strategists and Savants, Brand Managers and Renegades, to Digital Marketers and Mavericks. These hybrid thinkers blend logic with creativity, insight with instinct. That’s exactly the kind of thinking modern businesses want and the future workforce demands.
Future-Fit Careers Aren’t Built On Repetition
AI and automation will continue to transform industries. This means that the safest jobs won’t be the most traditional ones – they’ll be the most human. Creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking will stay irreplaceable. These skills help businesses navigate uncertainty, tell better stories, connect with real people, and stay relevant.
That’s why investing in a creative business education is far from frivolous. Simply put. It’s future-proof.
The government’s renewed focus on digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and small business development points to a growing need for creative problem-solvers. Who else will design more sustainable products, rethink service delivery models, or translate complex data into action?
Breaking The Stigma And Rewriting The Narrative
The stigma around studying creative disciplines still lingers in many South African households, especially when compared to so-called ‘safe’ options like law, medicine, or engineering. But the world has changed and with it, the definition of what a smart career choice looks like.
‘We’ve seen first-hand how young people light up when they realise that creativity can be more than a hobby,’ said Maharaj. ‘That moment of possibility is everything.’
If you’re a young South African weighing your future, or a parent helping to guide that decision, ask yourself:
– What kind of work will always need a human touch?
– What skills are becoming more valuable, not less?
– And what kind of graduate is every business looking for?
The answer is usually found at an intersection. Between marketing and meaning. Between data and design. Between business goals and human needs.
RED AND YELLOW SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
www.redandyellow.co.za
