Macsteel has officially joined PROUDLY SA, a membership for organisations committed to combatting the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment in South Africa. In March 2023, Macsteel made its public pledge to support local businesses and contribute to economic recovery by promoting local procurement to increase local production and stimulate job creation.
Speaking at the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit and Expo, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Ebrahim Patel said, “Localisation is about driving innovation in our society.” Minister Patel calls upon all contributing stakeholders especially the private sector to embrace localisation and advocate for local procurement and influence consumers to ‘buy local’.
Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly SA, echoed the sentiments of Minister Patel by stating that the success of the country’s economic reconstruction and recovery plans depends on South Africans coming together and consciously putting their money behind local goods and services.
Macsteel currently sources 85% of its steel products locally, with all its production done locally. Furthermore, Mike Benfield always speaks to Macsteel’s philosophy of Pursuing Reinvention as constantly searching for new ways to benefit our company, our communities, and our people. Driving innovation and localised production are aligned with our purpose. With the launch of two new ventures – Macsteel Express and Harvey Eco Tile – Macsteel has enhanced job creation by diversifying its product ranges and driving entrepreneurship through providing working capital and competitive steel prices, to boost businesses to grow and remain sustainable.
“What a brilliant experience we had showcasing at the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit. There were over 200 companies showcasing their proudly South African craftsmanship’s, bearing great testament to our beautiful rainbow nation and the entrepreneurial spirit we have as a country. I can confirm that our stall, for Macsteel Express took the cake and without bias, Mike Benfield gave one of the best speeches of the day, encouraging fellow businesses to buy local, support job creation and flood the Macsteel Express stall! It was two days filled with splendour, providing Macsteel Express an opportunity to showcase our retail offerings to our end customers as well as our franchise model to potential future partners, shaking hands with the minister of trade and industry as we accepted our warm welcome the proudly South African platform. Cheers to our very first successful summit and to many more to come.” says Nonhle Nyawo, Franchise Finance Manager.
Caption: Marcus Nel and Nonhle Nyawo at the Presidential Dinner in recognition of Macsteel’s localisation commitment to Proudly SA, 28th March.
