As February unfolds, we reflect on an exciting start to the year and look ahead to even greater opportunities to celebrate and support local.

The JanuWorry Cabbage Challenge proved that affordability and creativity can go hand in hand, with South Africans showcasing remarkable ingenuity by transforming this humble vegetable into gourmet-worthy dishes. From cabbage-stuffed gem squash to innovative cabbage biltong, our challenge participants were truly impressive! A huge congratulations to our six winners, who each walked away with a R3,000 Food Lover’s Market voucher to help them kick-start the year with fully stocked pantries. A special thank you to Food Lover’s Market for their generous support. Thank you to everyone who took part and showed us that making local, affordable, and nutritious meals can be both fun and rewarding.

After the creative flair of the JanuWorry Cabbage Challenge, we turned our attention to another exciting celebration of South African talent, the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on 6 February. As always, local fashion took centre stage, with our Local Fashion Police on the red carpet asking the all-important question: “Are you wearing local?” This activation was about more than just fashion; it was about celebrating South African design, supporting local talent, and reinforcing the economic impact of wearing homegrown brands. SoNA provided a platform for the leaders of our country to lead by example, showing their commitment to supporting local businesses and setting the tone for the year ahead. By wearing local, our leaders demonstrated the importance of uplifting South African craftsmanship and fostering a strong, sustainable economy.

Guiding us through the stylish arrivals was none other than the talented Thami Dish, who brought charisma and flair to the afternoon. Alongside him, our Local Fashion Police, designers Otsile Sefolo, Sello Medupe, Palesa Mokbung, and Sunday Times journalist Leonie Wagner, helped keep the focus on local talent and style. Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, made a statement in a locally crafted ensemble, while Khusela Diko, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, wore a striking outfit by rising designer Vuyokazi Mabona-Nghona. Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille and DA leader John Steenhuisen, accompanied by his family, also wore proudly South African brands, showing cross-party support for local fashion. A special mention goes to Nomvula Mokonyane, dressed by Enhle Mbali, who was selected as a winner of the Wear Local campaign at SoNA, continuing her endorsement of South African design excellence. This initiative was a powerful reminder that fashion is not just about looking good; it is a statement of national pride, job creation, and economic growth.

February is the month of love, and what better way to celebrate than by showing love for our country? Whether you are buying a Valentine’s Day gift, planning a romantic dinner, or even shopping for everyday essentials, we encourage you to choose local. Every rand spent on a South African-made product strengthens our economy, sustains jobs, and fuels growth in local industries. Let’s make our love for our country visible in our spending choices!

One of our most highly anticipated events of the year, the Buy Local Summit & Expo, is just around the corner, taking place on 17 and 18 March. This year’s summit centres on “Building a Resilient Economy through Localisation.” This flagship event will shine a spotlight on South African businesses, innovators, and industry leaders, providing a platform for meaningful discussions around local procurement, economic transformation, and the role businesses like yours, play in shaping the future. For those exhibiting, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your products and services to an engaged audience, while also benefiting from valuable networking and collaboration. We’re excited to bring together the best of South African enterprise and encourage you to be part of this important event.

Expect engaging discussions, informative exhibitions, and valuable networking opportunities that will showcase the best of South African enterprise. Whether you’re exhibiting or attending, the event offers a chance to connect with industry leaders, support local businesses, and contribute to conversations about economic transformation and growth. We hope you’ll join us and be part of this important gathering that highlights the strength of local excellence.

To secure your spot, register here now.

As we move forward, let us continue to embrace our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient South Africa. Thank you for being a valued member of Proudly South African. Let’s keep the momentum going!

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 contact our team at [email protected]. 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