In an industry still finding its feet when it comes to regulation, fair compensation, and long-term sustainability, many content creators and influencers are asking hard questions about the future of digital careers. With the new tax laws in South Africa and lack of formal structures for the creator economy continuing to shape these discussions, some creators are moving beyond survival mode and building businesses that not only sustain them but also uplift others.
Thandi has founded ‘The Paris Edit’, a content studio described as a creative sanctuary inspired by the Parisian charm. The Paris Edit is made to become a home away from home for content creators looking for a space to bring their creativity to life, offering an environment where ideas can take shape without the limitations many of the young creatives face.
The inspiration behind the name comes from Thandi’s admiration for two cities; Paris an elegant, romantic and timeless artistic city and Johannesburg, where the studio is based which offers grit, vibrancy, and bold creativity. “Together, they form the heartbeat of The Paris Edit. This space is designed to be that filter in real life. A studio where raw ideas are refined, visions take shape, and creativity feels at home,” she says.
Birthed from an idea Thandi had in early 2024, The Paris Edit is her way to pour back into creators on the come up. “Every detail you see here was thoughtfully designed by me, from countless hours of planning to bringing the vision to life piece by piece. Rooted in faith, determination, and a refusal to give up even when brands didn’t understand or delayed my dream,” Thandi shared whilst revealing her self funded studio which has officially opened its doors.
At the launch held on Saturday the 13th of September at the studio, Thandi shared some of the challenges she herself encountered as a rising content creator in Joburg.
“How this journey came about, when I became a content creator… we started way back and it’s always been hard to be a content creator in Joburg. We all know the scenario, you go to Melrose Arch, try to shoot a video and they’re like, ‘no photos’. You go to hotels… I remember one hotel told me ‘you have to take it down because you didn’t tell us you were shooting in the hotel room’. There’s always those elements that get in the way of being a creator in SA.”
She shared how she also plans to use the studio to host masterclasses.
