Johannesburg, 8 November 2023 — Proudly SA, a leading advocate for the promotion of South African goods and services, successfully hosted a CEO Roundtable on 7 November 2023 at the Sanctuary Mandela hotel. The event, titled “Unlocking South Africa’s Economic Potential through Localisation,” brought together CEOs, decision-makers, industry giants and captains of industry to address the pivotal role of localisation in driving economic development and challenging scepticism surrounding this transformative approach.
The gathering was inspired by the insightful “Revitalising SA’s Manufacturing Sector” report, authored by renowned economist Dr. Iraj Abedian. Dr. Abedian’s research provided valuable insights into the potential of localisation as a catalyst for South Africa’s economic growth.
Key Event Highlights:
Localisation as an Economic Growth Opportunity: Proudly SA CEO, Eustace Mashimbye and Dr Iraj Abedian emphasised the opportunities that localisation presents, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic growth and foster sustainable business models.
Localisation as an Economic Growth Opportunity: Proudly SA CEO, Eustace Mashimbye and Dr Iraj Abedian emphasised the opportunities that localisation presents, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic growth and foster sustainable business models.
Thought Leadership in Localisation: Thought leaders discussed the importance of informed guidance in navigating the complexities of localisation, highlighting the influential figures who are shaping strategies benefiting companies and local communities.
Collaboration and Collective Action: Industry leaders stressed the significance of collaboration and collective action in addressing the challenges associated with localisation. The session served as a call to action for leaders to actively participate in fostering economic development and innovation.
Challenging Localisation Scepticism: The event’s objective was to challenge and dispel the negative narrative surrounding localisation efforts by engaging in thought-provoking discussions that delved into the core principles of localisation and underscored its significant impact on the South African economy.
Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly SA, stated, “Localisation is not just an economic strategy; it’s a strategic imperative. By embracing localisation, South Africa can unlock its true economic potential, creating jobs, improving its trade position, and fostering resilience in an ever-changing global landscape. As a Buy Local Campaign, we have a responsibility to intentionally refute naysayers who have no holistic appreciation of how critical localisation is for the economy of our country.”
Proudly SA extends its gratitude to the CEOs and Industry Leaders for embracing and actively participating in the localisation movement, as well as for addressing the naysayers. The organisation also expresses appreciation to the attendees and speakers at this critical event, which marked a significant milestone in South Africa’s economic development journey. Proudly SA is committed to building on the insights and ideas generated during the discussions.
For more information about Proudly SA and its future initiatives, please visit www.proudlysa.co.za
ENDS
For more information on Proudly South African visit www.proudlysa.co.za
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About Proudly SA:
Proudly SA is an advocacy campaign and non-profit organisation promoting South African products and services that are of high quality, reliable, and environmentally friendly. The organisation is committed to promoting job creation, economic growth, and national pride in South Africa by encouraging the public and private sectors to support local businesses and industries. Proudly SA works with businesses, government, and civil society to foster the culture of buying local, thereby contributing to the development of a stronger and more sustainable South African economy.
