As we reflect on September, our nation’s Heritage Month, we are reminded of the richness and diversity that define South Africa. This year, our initiatives have continued to honour and celebrate the spirit of localism that lies at the heart of our national identity. From culinary delights to fashion-forward designs, September has been a vibrant celebration of South African talent and creativity.

One of the standout moments of the month was the DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival at Kyalami, where Proudly South African members proudly showcased their products to thousands of festivalgoers. Despite challenging weather, the resilience and commitment to excellence of our members shone through. The Proudly South African Mile was buzzing with activity, offering festivalgoers a taste of locally crafted flavours and a glimpse into the exceptional lifestyle products on display. From Sumtin Fresh’s mouth-watering burgers, wings and bao buns to Ledikana’s Bosotho-inspired ponchos, our members left a lasting impression, once again proving that local is truly lekker. Kota King, 2Selai, and Vegan Chef delighted attendees with their delicious offerings, while the likes of Unorthodox Chef, Cosmo Dumpling, Bokhabane Events, Yococo and Corner Dladla Pizzeria added their unique flavour to the mix. In the Proudly SA Lifestyle Pavilion, Boys of Soweto, Thesis Lifestyle, 1984 Deluxe Brand, Imprint ZA, Memuka Plastic Mats, Ntozinhle, Ledikana, Tlou Collections, Fresh, and Township Luxury brought local fashion and lifestyle to the fore, creating a vibrant tapestry of South African creativity and craftsmanship.

Our activations were a hit with consumers at the festival, including the “Wear Local, Walk the Mile” competition, where festivalgoers were spotted by our Fashion Police for a chance to win one of five R5000 vouchers to spend on items from our lifestyle vendors! It was a great success that further cemented our impact, driving awareness and pride in local fashion.

We also ran the exciting 2 Pot Challenge, where consumers had the chance to win local goodies, food vouchers from our food vendors, discounts from our members, and even a one-night stay at The Pivot Hotel. These activations not only engaged the audience but also highlighted how Proudly SA continues to lead the charge in promoting local products and talent.

We’re proud to have influenced an even bigger wear local drive at this year’s festival, thanks in part to style icons like Nay Maps and Hope Mbhele, who donned stunning local designs by local designs by Boys of Soweto and Imprint ZA. We created an opportunity for international star Jill Scott to embrace local fashion during her visit to Ntozinhle. These standout moments demonstrate the global appeal of South African talent.

Another highlight was the #LocalFashionPolice2024 Young Designers Workshop held at STADIO School of Fashion. This event, themed “Fashioning the Future – Weaving Unity Through Fashion,” sought to inspire the next generation of South African designers. It was a privilege to witness how this platform nurtured young talent, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to navigate the fashion industry. Special thanks to Otiz Seflo for his generous mentorship and to FNB for empowering students with vital business and financial knowledge. Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable local fashion industry.

As we reflect on these events, we are reminded of the importance of celebrating and uplifting our heritage and local industries. Heritage Month gave us an opportunity to connect our members with consumers in meaningful ways, helping drive localisation efforts and market access.

Looking ahead to October, we are thrilled to announce that the Local Fashion Police competition will reveal the Top 40 finalists. This competition, now in its fourth year, continues to shine a spotlight on homegrown fashion, everyday South Africans who proudly wear local. These individuals have gone the extra mile to showcase proudly South African outfits, and we are excited to celebrate their efforts in promoting local fashion. We hope that you will join us in supporting the Top 40 contestants as they share their love for South African design and help us drive economic empowerment in the Retail, Clothing, Textile, Footwear, and Leather (R-CTFL) sector.

We are also thrilled to be part of South African Auto Week from 15-18 October 2024, where we will showcase the power of local innovation in the automotive industry. This event marks 100 years of the South African automotive sector, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone alongside some of the nation’s most talented creators and innovators.

A study commissioned by Proudly South African, conducted by Iraj Abedian’s Pan African Investment & Research Services, highlights that a 10% increase in domestic manufacturing investment could significantly boost GDP, fiscal revenue, and real wages. This reinforces the importance of value addition and product diversification, which I will be discussing at the upcoming Manufacturing Indaba, the leading manufacturing event in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking place on 22-23 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. We are proud to have secured exhibition stands for four Proudly SA members, alongside our own, to showcase the strength of local manufacturing at this important event.

At Proudly South African, we remain committed to driving economic growth, supporting local businesses, and showcasing the exceptional talent our country has to offer. Thank you for continuing to be part of this journey with us. Together, we are not only celebrating our heritage but are also building the future of South Africa—one local product, one entrepreneur, one big idea at a time.

Please look out for upcoming access to market events & webinars on our social media channels.

For information on South African products to look forward to, please reach out to our team at [email protected], and we will gladly share insights from our trusted member stakeholders.

Remember to check out Proudly SA’s latest CI document to see the various ways in which you as a member of Proudly SA can use our logo on all your qualifying products, websites, and other marketing material.

Should you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to collaborate on future initiatives, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Should you wish to share with the newsletter team any milestones, events, awards, or sales, please send your email to [email protected]. We value your feedback and involvement in shaping the course of our movement.

We are also pleased to share with you our CODE OF CONDUCT for your kind perusal and understanding.   

Sincerely,

Eustace Mashimbye

Chief Executive Officer