SAFLEC AGM: Unity in diversity
Export via chain retailers, export via brands, export via fairs – all roads that lead to export growth are worth exploring.
SAFLEC chairman Tavonga Gonyora has made unity the theme of his time as head of the organisation. “Only by standing together as an industry can we survive as an industry,” he said at the AGM at the Coastlands Hotel Umhlanga on 16 August.
And there was a broad range of interests among the 60-odd who attended the AGM and the more than 100 who were at the dinner afterwards: component suppliers, footwear, handbag and leather goods manufacturers, a number of chain retailers, representatives from several tiers of government, labour, and the bargaining council.
He and executive director Nerisha Jairaj said SA’s footwear and leather goods exports were evolving in various directions.
- Value over volume: The country’s exotic leather goods manufacturers have always operated on this principle, but in general, South African manufacturers are better placed to compete in this space than against low value-high volume manufacturing countries.
- The exception is footwear aimed at other African states, and here SAFLEC is encouraging third party players – SA retail chains with stores in multiple African states – to source more footwear locally for those stores.
- South African brands and designers are trying to source footwear and leather goods locally for a global market.
“SAFLEC is a promotional body, not a sales organisation,” she said. “We try to create opportunities, and we offer export training and access to various kinds of export assistance, but we can’t actually sell the products. Exporters have to do that.”
She also said SAFLEC offered help to any prospective South African footwear or leather goods exporter “irrespective of any other criteria, size or BEE status included”.
“Every opportunity is extended to everyone. Exporters need to apply for whatever suits them.
“We offer assistance according to exporter needs and in some cases – e.g. ‘bigger’ manufacturers who have export programmes in place, and who are more sensitive to competition from other SA manufacturers – on a one-to-one basis to protect their confidentiality.
On the allocation of resources, she said funds contributed to assist footwear exports were not used to subsidise assistance to handbag or leather goods exporters, who pay a membership fee.
“At the AGM both the Chairman and I opened the floor to comments, suggestions and indication of dissatisfaction from members on the current work that SAFLEC is doing for Industry and on the models and methods that SAFLEC is currently using. The members raised no concerns. We are therefore confident that the members present believed that we are doing the best we can in difficult global circumstances, coupled with local issues like load shedding.”
She said there was concern about data gathering by SA Revenue Services following a discrepancy involving 9 million pairs to Lesotho data figures “which is currently being resolved”.
SAFLEC handed out awards at the dinner. The awards were presented by Anneline Chetty, COO of the DTIC, and by Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition.
Footwear Industry Articles
- Drip Footwear’s financial crisis - a cautionary taleRapid Expansion BackfiresDrip Footwear, a once-promising South African sneaker brand, is facing a severe financial crisis that has sparked intense scrutiny and debate. The company’s rapid expansion into shopping malls has backfired spectacularly, leaving it with a R20 million debt, a foreign exchange blunder, and the looming threat ...moreOh Sole: Handmade with a machine finish – and no stinting on componentsPretoria, Gauteng, SA – Yes, they’re both arty, but there’s almost no connection between cutting hair and cutting patterns. So for Conrad Kalp, who started his working life as a hair stylist, fashion, specifically fashion footwear, was a strong enough calling to start studying all over again to enter an entirely new care ...moreSAFLEC AGM – ‘recovery after the storm’Sponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC). Durban, KZN, SA – This year’s SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) AGM – the 22nd – was a much smaller occasion than in previous years, an acknowledgement of a reduced budget. It was, however, quite upbeat. ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Rwanda: Realism needed for a country with wonderful hides and skinsNote: This correspondent requested anonymity.I read the Pill concerning the tannery park project in Rwanda. I fully agree with Sam Setter!Please allow me to share my mostly fantastic Rwanda experience. My first visit to Rwanda was back in 1981 where I met the MD of the Rwanda Leather Industry tannery at the outskirts of Kigali and the MD ...moreJob CardsJob cards – are these bureaucratic pieces of paperwork worth anything? The tracking of work, quality control indicators, dates and timing, and non-conformance can be tagged onto this tool and production control and monitoring can be greatly enhanced. The job card can be historical and diagnostic.Can a tannery run production without ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': For readers who need some wry medicinal humour" HilariousThe industrial promotion section of the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced that the country intends to develop a tannery park in the Bugesera special economic zone near the border with Burundi. When one talks about a tannery park, one imagines a minimum of a dozen tanneries, and another dozen shoe and lea ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Anticipate LondonLondon, UK – Anticipate London, which incorporates 4 fairs covering security, fire safety, facilities management, health & safety, and risk management, will be held from 02-04 December 2024 at ExCeL London. The fairs are Facilities Show, Firex, IFSEC, and Safety & Health Expo.Among the keynote speakers are Brindha McDonald, ...moreUnderstanding the issues using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in OHSArtificial intelligence is an innovative and transformative technology that has been making waves across various industries & today is the big buzzword in business. But very few of us understand what AI is and means, including OHS practitioners who are starting to use AI in the OHS field.Firstly, the Occupation Health & Safety fie ...moreHydrogen technology: Compact power plants for green hydrogenDresden, Germany (01 July 2024) - Hydrogen generated with the power of the sun could largely replace fossil fuels in the future, helping to lower carbon emissions. In the Neo-PEC joint research project, Fraunhofer specialists have developed a tandem module that is self-sufficient and reliable at producing solar-generated green hydrogen.Hy ...more