S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 40, Oct 8, 2018

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website

Industry opposes SETA merger plan

Footwear manufacturers and tanners are opposing plans by the Department of Higher Education & Training to merge the Sector Education & Training Authority (SETA) under which the various branches of the leather industry fall with another SETA.
       They are currently under the Fibre Processing & Manufacturing SETA (FP&M SETA), which the department is seeking to merge with the Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services SETA (MerSETA). A consultant working with the leather industry termed the MerSETA 'inefficient' and 'arrogant'. (See link below)
       The SA Tanning Employers' Organisation and the Southern African Footwear & Leather Industries Association have both written to the department opposing the merger. In his letter, SAFLIA executive director Jirka Vymetal wrote:

We have been asked by both the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industries (NBCLI)  to comment on the proposed new landscape for Sector Education and Training Authorities post 31 March 2020.
       As a result of the critical skills required, our industry needs a very committed and focused aspect towards training, which it has been getting under the FP&MSETA. As a result we are not in favour of the proposed merger with the MERSETA.
       At present the FP&MSETA is operating brilliantly under the control of its CEO Ms. Felleng Yende and to change this winning recipe in our humble opinion would not serve the best interests of the Footwear and Leather sectors.
       We fear that the required focus needed (from another SETA) would be lost – particularly within the MERSETA.
       Our discussions with Dr. Dale and his experience and interactions with the SETA’s confirms this.
         We have attached Dr. Dale’s document containing his comment and a report from Julie van Blerk (from the SA Tanning Employers' Organisation) that echoes his view on the proposed merger. We also echo the views of Dr. Dale which we hold in high regard. Safe to say there is no reason for us to repeat these.
       We sincerely hope that the proposed merger with the MERSETA is not fait accompli and that our voice, however small, will be heard.
       We are of the opinion that the other associations within our sector i.e. ASAM (Association of SA Manufacturers of Luggage, Handbags & General Goods)  SATEO (South African Tanning Employers Association) & SHLAC (Skin Hide & Leather Council) will express a similar view. I am not sure if they have had a chance to send their comments individually. [See link]

Footwear firms among export winners

Durban (SA) – Two footwear manufacturers were among the winners of the KZN Exporter of the Year 2018 awards, awarded on Thursday last week.
       Bata SA won the medium size company category. Saddler Belt was 1 of the 3 finalists in that category.
       BBF Safety Group won the emerging exporters category.

Retail expansions in East and West Africa

From the September edition of The Uqalo Report, news from the consumer sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Turkish clothing retailer, LC Waikiki, is opening its fourth store in Kenya in the Thika Road Mall, taking over the space previously occupied by Deacons East Africa’s 4U2 outlet.

• Uchumi Supermarkets has temporarily shut down its Aga Khan Walk branch in Nairobi. Additionally, Uchumi will franchise its Nairobi West branch, its second branch franchise deal.

• Japanese lifestyle designer retail brand, Miniso, plans to open 200 stores in Nigeria by 2020. Miniso opened its first store in Lagos in September 2017, and has since opened 11 stores in Nigeria.

• Shoprite has put its Nigerian expansion plans on hold, until it gets clarity about banned products and foreign exchange fluctuations.

• Novare Real Estate Africa has opened its third mall in Abuja. The US$54m Novare Central Mall has 7,178m2 retail space, with Shoprite and PEP as its anchor tenants. - https://www.uqalo.com

Closures

Mandoza
Oshakati (Namibia) – Upmarket men's and women's outfitter Mandoza is one of Namibia's rare home-grown mini-chains, but owner Sonja Nel said she was in the process of closing the 5 stores. "Yes, it's very sad," she wrote. "The rent of the shopping centres became too expensive and the sales dropped tremendously due to all the chain stores from South Africa that opened here."

Lillian's Store
Mthatata (SA) - This landmark independent closed in February. Owner Brian Tranmere has retired to East London.

Death notice

Pietermaritzburg (SA) – Errol Smith, founder and owner of ENS Machinery, died on September 4, aged 73.

DAFF and partners host 2nd Africa Congress On Conservation Agriculture

The African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT), in collaboration with the Government of South Africa, African Union Commission, the NEPAD Agency, Regional Economic Communities, International NGOs, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), European Union (EU), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and various bilateral and multilateral partners, will organise and host the 2nd Africa Congress on Conservation Agriculture (2ACCA) in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 9 to 12 October 2018.
       The theme of the Congress is “Making Climate-Smart Agriculture Real in Africa with Conservation Agriculture: Supporting the Malabo Declaration and Agenda 2063”.
       The purpose of the 2ACCA initiative is to facilitate diverse and open sharing of experiences and information on CA thereby fostering learning and widespread awareness and interest in the uptake and spread of CA as an agroecosystem approach to sustainable farming and agricultural land use management across Africa.
Details of the conference:
Date:   09 to 12 October 2018
Time:   08:00 to 17:00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg
Please RSVP for accreditation by Monday, 08 October to Sam Kgatla on 082 738 5237, email: SamuelK@daff.gov.za  and Steven Lazaro on 0724576167,email:steven.lazaro@fao.org
For further information, please contact:
Khaye Nkwanyana
Ministry Spokesperson
MLO.Minister@daff.gov.za
083 952 9723

Send us the links

We renew our invitation to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which readers feel are of interest to others. From our database, these 2 websites belonging to independent retailers:
Abram's Stores - https://www.abramstores.co.za/
Academy Outfitters - https://www.facebook.com/Academyoutfitters/

They Said It

"If they stop me, I'll just knock it back - and THEN we'll see what happens..." - BBF Safety Group key account manager for Africa and the Middle East Marius Johnson. At the KZN Exporter of the Year Awards on Thursday, there was a complementary bottle of whisky on each table, and since no-one else at our table wanted it, at the end of the evening he took it with him. Obviously the bottle was meant to be taken, but since he's built like a Springbok lock, I don't think security would have debated the point with him anyway.

Exchange rates

Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/

08/10/1970: Sharon Bekker, Prima Style, Cape Town.
08/10/19??: Ben Cartoon, Paris Belts, Johannesburg.
08/10/1943: Willie van Vuuren, Fergom (SA), Pinetown.
09/10/1946: Yunus Nagdee, agent, Johannesburg.
09/10/1948: Ibrahim Shaikh, Hopewell Footwear, Durban.
09/10/1957: RE Badenhorst, Vrystaat Huide & Velle, Kroonstad.
09/10/1961: Richard Kushlick, Unique Feet, Johannesburg.
09/10/1971: Phoenix Wang, San Chang Import & Export, Estcourt.
10/10/1943: Jamloot Bhagwandeen, retired, formerly Dick Whittington Shoes, Pietermaritzburg.
10/10/1950: Allen Beckley, Naked Feet, Durban.
10/10/1951: Paul Muir, Pasacojo Marketing, Cape Town.
10/10/1968: Luke Barrett-Smith, Puma SA, Cape Town.
10/10/1969: Nicole Benders, Prime Leathers, Pinetown.
11/10/1956: Anita van Wyk, Shoe 4 U, Hartswater.
11/10/1965: Delene Kapperer, Sisterhood, Pretoria.
11/10/1965: Naresh Dewchan, Austin Footwear.
12/10/1946: Siva Pillay, Verora Paints, Chatsworth.
12/10/1960: Sam Wu, Footech, Ladysmith.
12/10/1962: Ronell Fromke, Super Shoes, Namibia.
12/10/1966: AM ‘Buddy’ Seedat, Jino’s Clothing, Johannesburg.
12/10/1972: Nagesh Pillai, Gravel Road, Chatsworth.
13/10/1958: Ahmed Shaikh, Young Ideas, Greytown.
14/10/1947: Rodney Bryant, A Greenaways, Cape Town.
14/10/1963: Siraaj Ahmed Hassim, Classic Hawkers Centre, Laudium.
14/10/1964: Shirleen Joubert, Edcon, Durban.

In Memoriam this week

08/10/2011: Johannes Antonius Olde-Olthof (b. 11/10/1928), Tarzan Shoes, Tulbagh.
08/10/2017: Michael Piccione (b. 27/03/1963), KMP Footwear, Pinetown.
09/10/2015: Barry Furber, Furber & Whittle [closed], Cape Town.
09/10/2015: Steve Croudace (b. 22/06/1958), Leatherback Footwear, Pietermaritzburg.
11/10/1994: Eric Ahlfeldt, Pelco, Port Elizabeth.
11/10/2012: John Austin Rice (b. 17/06/1938), Courteney Shoes, Bulawayo.
12/10/2001: Flaviano ‘Fluffy’ Bernardis, (b. 11/12/1944), Andreoli Shoes, Pinetown.
13/10/2014: Kaps Singh (b. 08/04/1957), Famous Shoes, Pietermaritzburg.

Have you let us know about your birthday, or the birthdays of your colleagues? Our readers love this section, so please become part of it. This also applies to the In Memoriam section. Help us remember former colleagues.

ABSA Agri Trends 14/09: Hides & skins prices

The average hide price over the past week was R4.65/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R30.00, and for Merino skins was R99.36.

For a list of local and international trade fairs covering footwear, leather goods, leather and PPE, visit our website: http://www.svmag.co.za/events.php

Classified Adverts

Top sales skills on offer in W Cape

I have recently relocated to the Western Cape and am seeking employment in the retail/wholesale industry as a sales representative. I have more than 20 years sales and marketing experience in various international  footwear brands.
As a trusted advisor to my clients, I was well respected within the industry and had the ability to guide them to making well informed decisions, based on my extensive experience in the retail and sales and marketing arena. My in-depth knowledge of numerous well-known brands, is invaluable and ensures consistent client satisfaction and service delivery.
  I have also gained some valuable financial experience in setting targets and managing budgets to meet required outputs within stipulated time frames. - Gerrit Sander, 082 821 6769, gerrit.sander6@gmail.com.

Position sought

Devrajah 'Teddy' Moodley, former pattern room manager at Froggie and with 31 years experience, seeks a position in footwear manufacturing. He has a vast knowledge in the shoe Industry. - 083 280 6915, moodleyteddy8@gmail.com

In need of a boardroom?

SAFLEC, situated at 6 Stedman Mews, 128 Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville, has a boardroom for hire.
       It seats up to 12 people around a table, and has space to add up to 15 more chairs in the room. You are welcome to view the room before hiring.
       For more information, please contact Louise on 031 266 1473 or louise@saflec.co.za.
We look forward to being of service.

Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: October 15, 2018.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

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