Looking back at the eventful month of July we are filled with jubilation and pride at one of our favourite events here at the Proudly South African stable. With the continuous theme of the celebrations of the 30 years of democracy, we pride ourselves on being part and parcel of the change that has started to favour all citizens in business and catapult them into the local economy. This year we had 26 wine vendors who exhibited during the three day long Proudly South African Local Wine Expo, and we are proud to say that 73 % of those exhibitors were women. The expo is a catalyst for market access, and our members are linked with essential audiences crucial for the success of their businesses. During the buyer’s session that marked the beginning of the wine experience, local winemakers engaged with different buyers, presenting their products and opening doors to potentially lucrative business prospects. This session allowed retailers, hoteliers, and restaurateurs to connect directly with winemakers and potentially secure shelf space for local wines. This initiative proved highly effective, fostering valuable connections, and boosting the representation of locally produced wines in retail outlets.

This year, for the very first time, The Proudly South African Local Wine Expo was supported by South Africa’s best SME bank, First National Bank. FNB Marketing Segment Head, Katlego Mahloane spoke at the Local Wine Expo media briefing which took place on 26 July and said, “We need to uplift and support not only the local winemakers, but local in general and we need to hold each other personally accountable so that we can turn the tide of unemployment and poverty in our country.”

Those wise words are what we all need to internalise and ensure that we as individuals are making purchasing decisions in favour of our locally manufactured goods and services. Consumers from all walks of life were welcomed by a wide array of wine options, accessories, and pairings, creating a delightful local wine experience. Additionally, food vendors like Corner Dladla, 2Selai, and Sumtin Fresh were on hand to satisfy the appetites of wine enthusiasts throughout the three-day event.

Before the Local Wine Expo, on July 18, 2024, we took the Local Fashion Police to the Opening of Parliament. In support of the local fashion industry, the Local Fashion Police’s mission was to spot ministers who were wearing local and hold accountable those who were not, by inviting designers such as Sello Medupe of Scalo Designs, JessicaJane Molebatsi of Molebatsi fashion wear, Emmanuel Tjiyae, the editor of the Sowetan S-mag and red-carpet MC, Thami Dish, to critique and celebrate the attire of parliamentarians and guests. The Wear Local at OPA activation not only emphasized style and elegance but also championed the diversity and innovation found within our local fashion scene. The Local Fashion Police’s role saw designers providing commentary on the outfits worn by attendees, showcasing their expertise and unique perspectives on style. This interactive approach fostered dialogue about the importance of fashion as a form of expression and a driver of economic growth.

The marketing team also took to the streets of Pretoria and Walked the Talk with Talk 702 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy. Proudly South African showed up to emphasise the buy local mandate and celebrate the 6.7km walked by Madiba. As some of you may know, the campaign was founded by Madiba following the first job summit in 2021. .

In the effort to grow our economy and decrease the strain of unemployment amongst disadvantaged groups in our nation. Proudly South African took to the Township Economies where we spoke on the importance of SMEs to the economy’s growth. The majority of our businesses are based in the townships, highlighting a critical demand for entrepreneurs who require business support and access to market opportunities. This is why localisation is so important, as it is the conduit in which jobs are created, skills are developed, and community empowerment takes place.

Our social media platforms are buzzing with excitement following the unveiling of this year’s Local Fashion Police consumer competition. With the backing of FNB, we are set to elevate the local fashion scene by encouraging individuals to flaunt their finest locally made attire and accessories online. The participant who post their entries stand a chance to walk away with R40 000 worth of local fashion. Visit https://proudlysa.co.za/proudly-south-african-local-fashion-police-competition-terms-and-conditions/ for more information on the competition.

Our social media platforms are buzzing with excitement following the unveiling of this year’s Local Fashion Police consumer competition. With the backing of FNB, we are set to elevate the local fashion scene by encouraging individuals to flaunt their finest locally made attire and accessories online. Participants can post their entries for a chance to win R40,000 worth of local fashion.

The Buy Local Campaign’s participation at Decorex Johannesburg aimed to support local talent and promote local craftsmanship, by providing local artisans and designers with a valuable market access opportunity. This allowed them to gain exposure and connect with a broader audience. The selected members, each known for their distinctive styles and artistry, presented an array of designs and decor solutions that captivated attendees and industry experts. The members included Mustard Seed Designs, who specialise in ceramic lighting and home decor accessories, and Opulent Interior D-zines, an interior design company that specialises in interior design and decorating. Ambesha African, a premium patio furniture manufacturer, and Trellidor, which manufactures and distributes custom security gates and window burglar-proofing solutions.

With that said, we at Proudly South African wish all women a very Happy Women’s Month. We hope you will be celebrated for the Mbokodo’s and visionaries you are.

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