I write this message beaming with pride and joy. The Proudly SA establishment has come out of the most well-executed, impactful, and successful Buy Local Summit and Expo. My joy comes from all the elements that culminated in the success of the summit and expo. Year in, and year out, we strategize on what the next summit and expo should look like and what we don’t foresee is the magnitude and influence the platform has for 200 vendors.

Led by the impactful theme, Localisation: An All-Inclusive Approach for all Sectors of Society to Contribute to Economic Growth and Job Creation, the 12^th Buy Local Summit & Expo showcased the best of local products, held impactful conversations around ways in which the localisation agenda can spread across the country, and saw large corporations making commitments into driving localisation in their respective procurement processes to favour homegrown products and support local services.

This year’s magnitude of the summit and expo carried quality and credibility with the local brands that displayed their products. We saw this through the Local Walk where we sought to demystify misconceptions about local fashion not being quality-driven. Through the Local Walk, we depicted the Diamond Walk and Platinum Walk that is housed at the Sandton City and Umhlanga, KZN respectively and brought to life the local version by hailing internationally compatible local fashion pieces. Consumers and expo goers received first-hand experience of the offerings local fashion designers have through the Proudly SA Local Walk celebrating the beautiful, elegant, and timeless garments that are made in South Africa for all occasions.

Another memorable moment from this year’s flagship event was the Amapiano movement discussion, where Proudly SA aimed to celebrate and honour the movement for its role in creating jobs. The Amapiano movement is a testament that South Africans are and can be game-changers. This genre has sustained many homes through its impact and value chain.

The jampacked summit and expo is an array of activities which attract various types of consumers. It is a place where anyone and everyone can attend and will receive something of their interest. The panel discussion held are drivers of change and ensure that real impactful discussions are spread in the drive to maximise localisation efforts.

Many businesses are family-owned, so it was fitting to host a panel discussion that focuses on the efforts involved in establishing such enterprises. During the ‘It’s A Family Affair’ conversation, owners of family businesses shared their experiences, challenges, and key strategies for maintaining a successful partnership with family members while growing a profitable business. The panel was moderated by Thabo ‘T-Bose’ Mokwele, with our membership companies, including Chabis Gemere, Khoi Tech, and MiDesk, participating in the discussion.

The Buy Local Summit and Expo serves as a platform to connect businesses, ensuring that SMMEs leave feeling empowered and appreciated for their role in job creation and economic advancement. The Business Matchmaking platform which lives within the summit and expo connects our members with potential buyers. This program pairs companies and individuals based on shared business interests, complementary services, expertise, technologies, or strengths to enhance long-term sustainability for various businesses. The primary objective is to foster collaborative relationships and capitalize on business opportunities that benefit all parties involved. Through this initiative, Proudly SA brings together buyers and businesses in a setting where they can showcase their products, opening doors for potential business ventures beyond the confines of the summit and expo.

Additionally, SMMEs and their representatives need to have key skills to be able to sell their offerings to potential investors, buyers, and consumers to drive a profitable business. During the 12^th annual edition of the summit and expo, Proudly SA brought to live the first ever ‘Pitching Tank’ programme. The pitching programme saw over 24 member companies garnering skills through a workshop that was led by experts. The workshop equipped the members with relevant skills that will assist them with crafting compelling pitching techniques and train them in doing one to three-minute elevated pitches to buyers and procurement officials. The workshop culminated into the prize giving of top five companies who pitched at the Buy Local Summit and Expo. In the first instalment of this effectual programme, three winners were identified namely, Edenvinne taking the 1^st prize of R10 000, in 2^nd place Tolokazi Beer walked away with R5000, and School Lashushu took the 3^rd prize of R2 500.

At the expo floor, our gaze fell upon a dazzling array of South African-built rides, flaunting the prowess of 7 prominent OEMs. The Mercedes Benz C-Class, Nissan Navarra, VW Polo, BMW X3, Ford Ranger, Isuzu XRider, and Toyota Cross stood as titans in the automotive domain of the event. These machines, meticulously assembled in South Africa, showcased the epitome of the automotive industry.

There was so much to see and of course we had to have a ‘Happy Hour’ where our Gin members showcased their mixology skills and prepared delicious cocktails wrapping up the final day of the expo.

We thank all the sponsors and partners Absa, the dtic, department of small business development, GCIS, Sasol, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, naamsa, Telkom, Lactalis, FNB, South 32, Naspers, Takealot group, Southern Sun, SAB, Nestlé ESAR, and Brand SA that made the Summit & Expo possible. A big round of applause goes out to the exhibitors who took on the challenge and brought their best A-game to those expo floors. Lastly to all the panellists who took their time and energy into being part of the impactful discussions held during the summit. 

I am pleased to see that more and more people and organisations are embarking on the localisation journey. Proudly SA has and will always advocate for buying local because that will stimulate the economy and create much-needed jobs.

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, 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.

Proudly SA’s strategic partner the Government Communications Information System (GCIS) brings you the 30 years of Freedom toolkit available for your review and usage.

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

Sincerely,

Eustace Mashimbye

Chief Executive Officer