SAFLEC AGM: Unity in diversity

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.

Nerisha’s team (from left) Prenisha Dukhipersad, Sarah Govender and Priya Ramklawan.

“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.

Niri Moodley of Planet Events, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Nomalungelo Gina, and Nerisha Jairaj.

Shane Moodley of Jim Green Footwear for successfully penetrating the USA market.

Tanya Miller of Equator as the Emerging Green Exporter 2022.

Tven Heyer from BBF, among the Top 5 exporters in 2022.

Thobekile Mkhize of Mabotho as the Emerging Black Youth Exporter.

Vanessa Naidoo of NDSS for the Improved Export Design Development.

Derek Yegambaram of Bata SA among the Top 5 exporters in 2022 and supporting made in SA.

Voden Wearne on behalf of Hopewell Footwear for manufacturing brands for export.

Nick Dreyer of Veldskoen, among the Top 5 exporters in 2022 and taking made in SA goods to over 32 countries.

Michael Lawrence of the National Clothing Retail Federation with SAFLEC chairman Tavonga Gonyora

Vishnu Munien of Turners Shipping for continuous assistance with collation of stats and advisory to footwear industry