Steve Jobs once said: “Creativity is just connecting things”. Creativity can also come from connecting people, which happens every year at the Coschem Day hosted by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists South Africa.

The second annual Coschem Day took place on 17 August at Create, Red Barn, in Pretoria. The interactive event was well attended and guests enjoyed the creative aspect of painting unfired bisque while networking in a fun and relaxed environment.

The idea came about in 2022 to rethink the format of the Coschem Ladies Day, making the event accessible to everyone in the cosmetics industry. Instead of the traditional sit-down luncheon and motivational platform, Coschem Day has been transformed into a casual, fun day for all members to attend with a focus on giving people time to catch up with colleagues and peers while tapping into their creativity. And the Coschem Day still includes a set menu of delicious food,

There is a strong charity element to the Coschem Day, as guests are encouraged to bring along stationery or toys to donate to the National Centre for Child Protection. This non-profit organisation owns all the child protection hotlines throughout South Africa and receives calls and messages daily to help children in danger or in need. The centre also hosts educational talks at schools across the country to educate learners on bullying, substance abuse and many other issues.

A huge amount was donated to this worthy cause, highlighting the significance of the Coschem Day in enabling members of the South African cosmetics industry to give back to those who are less fortunate.

Guests got to choose from a vast array of unfired bisque and a wide selection of colourful paints to create a pottery masterpiece that is both personal and completely unique. Everyone spent a leisurely day painting in the beautiful Red Barn location. The friendly staff of the Clay Café were on hand to assist guests with any painting techniques and decorating advice.

A big thank you to the Coschem Social Committee for organising the event and packing the goody bags. Thanks to all the sponsors and attendees, and to Bridget MacDonald who continues to provide immense support to all the committees as Coschem’s General Secretary.

Coschem – www.coschem.co.za

By Abby Vorster, editor of Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review