As we step into September, we’re excited to look back on the impactful and empowering initiatives we led throughout August, a month dedicated to celebrating the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in South Africa. Proudly South African continued to champion local talent, uplift communities, and drive meaningful change across the country. Here’s a recap of our activities in August.

On Wednesday, 28 August, we teamed up with the Masisizane Fund to host the Access to Finance SME Forum, themed “Young Women in Business,” at Mutual Place in Sandton. This event brought together over 200 participants both in-person and online to discuss key issues such as access to funding and market opportunities for entrepreneurs. The forum featured insightful talks from industry leaders like Ndumiso Zulu, CEO of Masisizane Fund on funding readiness and our Executive, Jeannine van Straaten on market access opportunities, along with a powerful panel discussion on empowering SMEs.

August also saw the relaunch of the Proudly South African Local Fashion Police campaign, now in its fourth year and stronger than ever with the support of FNB. This year’s theme brought a fresh investigative twist, with style authorities like Orapeleng Modutle, Jessica Jane Molebatsi, Mzukisi Mbane, and Ole Ledimo on the hunt for those proudly supporting local fashion. The campaign is not just about style—it’s about holding consumers accountable for their spending choices, encouraging them to support local designers and the Retail, Clothing, Textile, Footwear, and Leather (R-CTFL) sector. With R40,000 in local fashion up for grabs, this initiative continues to spotlight the importance of buying local and supporting our homegrown talent. Visit https://proudlysa.co.za/proudly-south-african-local-fashion-police-competition-terms-and-conditions/ for more information on the competition.

In partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and its associates, we hosted a pivotal Women’s Month event on 30th August 2024. This year’s theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” provided a reflective backdrop as we commemorated the 68th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March. The event served as a powerful platform to celebrate women as active agents of change and social transformation while acknowledging the progress made. Through inspiring discussions and an address by Suzan Mangole, Acting Deputy Director-General: Incentives, and Deputy Minister of the dtic, Zuko Godlimpi, emphasised our collective duty to support and uplift black women across all sectors: “We as men must hold the door open for them, and they, in turn, should do the same for others to come.” The event underscored the continued commitment to accelerating economic reforms and supporting women’s development, reinforcing the importance of the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development, and ensuring that women’s voices remain at the forefront of our nation’s growth.

On the same day, in collaboration with Southern Sun, we hosted an inspiring Women’s Month celebration at 54 on Bath. This event focused on sustainable leadership, highlighting the incredible contributions of women in various industries. The panel discussion, expertly moderated by Leanne Manas, featured trailblazers like Joslin Lydall, co-founder of Catalyst Solutions, Mapholo Ratau, founder of Ledikana, and Candy Tothill Kruger, Corporate Affairs Management Consultant at Southern Sun. These leaders shared their experiences and insights on citizenship, localisation, entrepreneurship, and the critical role of women in driving economic and environmental sustainability, with a strong emphasis on the role of women in driving positive change. Proudly South African’s Chief Marketing Officer, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, also reflected on the importance of mentoring young women and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

As we reflect on the events of August, we’re reminded of the significant strides women continue to make in business and leadership roles across South Africa. The conversations we had, the connections we made, and the initiatives we launched all serve to empower women and strengthen our commitment to fostering an inclusive and thriving economy.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Let’s continue to support and celebrate the incredible women of South Africa—today and every day.

Looking ahead to September, we remain dedicated to our mission of promoting local talent, supporting sustainable leadership, and driving economic growth in South Africa. Heritage Month provides us with a valuable opportunity to look back and reflect on the changes our economy has undergone over the past 30 years of democracy. It’s a time to honour our diverse heritage, celebrate our progress, and acknowledge the role of localism in building a robust economy. The DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival, taking place later this month, is a prime example of how celebrating our heritage can drive economic empowerment. The festival not only showcases our rich culture through music and food but also serves as a market access opportunity for our member companies, providing them with a platform to reach new customers and grow their businesses.

Please look out for upcoming market access 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 our CODE OF CONDUCT for your kind perusal and understanding.   

Sincerely,

Eustace Mashimbye

Chief Executive Officer