Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I am thrilled to connect with you at the start of what promises to be a year filled with opportunities and possibilities. The festive season was a heartening reminder of the power of localisation and its impact on our economy. Through our “Start and End Your Journey with Local” campaign, South Africans were encouraged to prioritise local businesses at every touchpoint of their holiday spending. Whether it was choosing local food and beverages, booking locally owned accommodation, or purchasing proudly South African gifts, every contribution helped create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support our entrepreneurs. Thank you for joining us in making a difference during this special time of year.

As we move into January, it’s back to school for many South African families. The start of a new school year is always filled with anticipation and hope, and we encourage everyone to continue the local momentum by supporting proudly South African businesses for school essentials. From backpacks to stationery, local suppliers offer high-quality options that not only prepare learners for success but also help build a brighter future for all South Africans by creating and sustaining jobs.

The festive season also ushered in the launch of our “Cabbage Challenge” competition on 26th December, in partnership with Food Lovers Market. Designed to ease the financial strain of JanuWorry, this campaign challenges South Africans to showcase their creativity by posting videos of unique and delicious cabbage-based dishes. By tagging us in their posts, entrants stand a chance to win R3,000 Food Lovers Market vouchers. Winners will be announced on the 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st of January. With this campaign, we’re not only sparking innovation in the kitchen but also reinforcing the importance of supporting local grocery stores and empowering South Africans to make every rand stretch further.

This new year also signals a fresh start—an opportunity to recommit ourselves to creating jobs and supporting local businesses. Proudly South African remains steadfast in its mission to promote localisation as a cornerstone of economic growth. We are excited about the possibilities that 2025 holds and the vital role that our members and stakeholders will play in strengthening the South African economy. Together, we have the power to build an inclusive, sustainable future.

As we plan for the months ahead, February promises to be an exciting period. Our Valentine’s Day activation will be a celebration of love and local talent, inspiring South Africans to embrace local gifting and festivities. Shortly thereafter, the State of the Nation Address will offer us the chance to highlight the brilliance of local fashion through our “Wear Local” activation, encouraging MPs and guests to step out in proudly South African designs. These initiatives not only amplify our buy local message but also shine a spotlight on the creativity and craftsmanship of our designers.

At the end of January, I will have the honour of delivering a keynote address at the prestigious Digital Retail Africa 2025 conference in Cape Town. My presentation, titled “Re-imagining Retail: Leveraging Digital Innovation to Drive Economic Growth through Localisation”, will explore how technological advancements in the retail sector can boost local manufacturing and procurement, paving the way for a stronger, more resilient economy.

As we set the tone for 2025, I encourage you to keep localisation at the forefront of your decisions—whether as a consumer, business, or government stakeholder. Together, we can make this a year of tangible progress, one where our collective efforts drive meaningful change for South Africa.

Thank you for your unwavering support of Proudly South African. Here’s to a year filled with growth, opportunity, and local pride!

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