S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.8 No.42, October 17 2022

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Note: I have been away for a week and will be back in harness late today.

Returning to normal

Salma Muhammad, director, Bhamjee's Shoe Centre
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA - Our trading conditions are looking somewhat better now that Covid rules and restrictions have been lifted. That being said, while turnover is trending higher than pre-Covid levels, one must keep in mind that pairage sell-offs are pretty much on par with pre-Covid levels due to higher price increments, shipping and associated costs.
      Our customers are looking for occasional shoes - mostly matric dance, weddings and other social events. Concerning that office wear has not returned to pre-Covid levels. We are, however, looking forward to a better Christmas trade period.
      There are still issues coming out of China in terms of container pricing, quality issues due to their lack of stability in terms of their manufacturing sector (Covid lockdowns and power cuts).
        The local currency's volatility and US Dollar strength has a marked impact on us as retailers, in that, it is challenging to find that sweet spot between quality and the affordability ceiling of our customer base.

Foreign travellers: Zambia leads the way?

Lusaka, Zambia - According to a release issued by the British Chamber of Commerce Zambia (BCCZ), the Zambian Government has waived visa requirements for travellers from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Norway, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the Gulf States and the European Union "as part of it aggressive strategy to market Zambia as an attractive tourist destination and increase tourism arrivals into the country". 
        BCCZ CEO John Paton praised the government’s foresight and said tourism remained one of the most critical sectors in the Zambian economy, creating jobs and revenue generation capabilities, and that this move would further elevate Zambia’s economic standing. 
      “The COVID-19 pandemic put a major dent on the country’s tourism sector; the waiver of visa requirements signals that Zambia is calling and open to the world, and this can only be good for Zambia,” he said.
  Mr Paton further called on BCCZ members to engage and work with the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) to promote Zambia as a preferred travel destination in the region.
        The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane announced the changes in his Budget speech to Parliament on September 30. The revenue loss from this measure would be minimal, he said.
  A single-entry tourist visa to Zambia for a UK citizen was previously £69 (K1,200), but the move is expected to increase visitor numbers, boosting revenue elsewhere.
 

In case you missed it!

The October issue of S&V African Leather Magazine

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V African Leather Magazine Vol16 No10 October 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Upfront
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
- Making candy leather - a revolution in tanning, asks Karl Flowers of Authenticae.

Simac/Tanning Tech
- Barnini/Rotacoat: Greater precision, new developments. - Bauce: Conversion from hydraulic to electric leads to big energy savings. - Bergi: Heavy duty press 'strong like a tank'. - Corichem: Pre-base, syntans and stucco. - GER Elettronica: Traceability is a growing requirement. - Italprogetti: 'Making leather and treating effluent should be one process, not two.' - Kymera: Spares and reconditioned machinery specialist, and much more besides. - NTE Company: Mimosa demand grows as supply drops.
12 Sustainability
- Sustainable Leather Foundation founder and MD Deborah Taylor says SLF doing its bit to help Leather From Hart recover.

16 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.

15 An Eclectic View
- Conformance versus compliance - there is a difference, writes H. Procter.

17 Research
- IULTCS announces Young Leather Scientist grant programme for 2023.

17 Agriculture
- How drones and robots could help feed the world, by HSBC Global Research.
- Despite positive agri backdrop, farmers need to take a balanced approach when investing in their operations, write the FNBs Dawie Maree and Paul Makube.
- Impressive agriculture export earnings in Q2 2022 despite trade challenges, says FNB

20 Knowledge Transfer, Education & Training
- Making leather, Part 9 of 10: An overview of manufacture, Richard Daniels.


Advertisers in this Issue
Els Agencies (03), ISTT (12), Italtan (09), Mimosa (08), Rolfes Leather Division (02), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (19), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (06), Stahl (OFC).

They Said It

"Sustainability is legalised bullsxxx." - A Portuguese footwear manufacturer on what he believes is the degree of 'greenwashing' demanded by brands and retail customers and therefore practised by Portuguese footwear manufacturers. In fact, the level of recycling and resource-saving in the plants we visited was much greater than anything I have seen anywhere else, but no doubt there is some subterfuge. 

Got anything you'd like to share?

Do you have any suggestions, comments or experiences about the industry that you'd like to share with the industry? - tony@svmag.co.za

17/10/1952: Elsa Carminati, Carmin & Co., Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
17/10/1968: Mehmood (Joe) Mohamed, Rodrigo Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
17/10/1984: SS Moosa, Shu-Tique Wholesalers, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
18/10/1967: Chetan Jeram, Concept Distributors, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
19/10/1966: Elize Strauss, Shoe ‘n Do, Reitz, Free State, SA.
19/10/19??: Tony Jelinski, retired, formerly Everflex, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
19/10/1944: Peter Manley, Secure & Safe Supplies, Durban, KZN, SA.
19/10/1965: Björn Jönsson, Leather Systems SA, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
20/10/1943: Daya Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/10/1946: Steve Bassingthwaighte, retired, formerly agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/10/1955: Dave McDonald, left the industry, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/10/1957: Steve Dai, Bruce & Jason Trading, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/10/1961: Stefan van As, Le Croc, Brits, NW Province, SA.
21/10/1971: Derek Malcolm Creed, agent, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
21/10/1976: Imraan Ahmod, Spunlok, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
22/10/1965: Raymond Philander, Nulaw, George, W. Cape, SA.
22/10/1974: Sulaiman Miller, Powerland Group SA Trading, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/10/1979: Kevin Govender, Evolution Engineering, Durban, KZN, SA.
23/10/1940: Pat Coyne, retired, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Formerly R. Faulks & Co., Jordan Shoes, Bellstedt, BUSM, Grosby, Pagoda/Brown Shoe.
23/10/1949: Alf Bettoni, ?.

17/10/2005: Barney Dodo (b. 11/04/1914), Edworks group (closed), Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/10/2000: Manuel da Costa (b. 13/09/1930), the Superior Footwear Group [closed], Harare, Zimbabwe.
18/10/2016: Lenny Jacobs (b. 27/07/1946), Lenny Jacobs Sales, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
19/10/2000: Bill Beckley, (b. 20/07/1927), agent, East London, E. Cape, SA.

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.

New subscribers last week

Gumisiriza Jessy D, Leather instructor, Jm fancy leather products, Kampala, Uganda.
Mercy Chewetu Mukupa, CEO, Queen of Chitenge Fashion Limited, Lusaka, Zambia.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (06 October 2022) - The current average hide price remained unchanged at  R4.64/kg from a week ago. The current price is the same as the average price a month ago and 26.0% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R4.00 Maximum price: R5.00. Please note: Our methodology weighs the prices we collect according to the number of hides they sell in a month. This is done to make it more representative of the prevailing market price. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist, and Nkhensani Mashimbyi, agricultural economist, Absa group.

Note: For previous prices, see HERE

Classified Adverts

Sewing Machine Mechanic/Technician seeks position

PREMCHAND HARIPERSAD. I have 34 years combined experience as a machinist/mechanic. Currently a qualified sewing machine mechanic. My qualification was obtained at ‘London City of Guilds institute’. During my tenure in the industry I have serviced and fixed high quality machinery that production depended on. Passion and skill for the industry assisted me in obtaining world class experience which I thoroughly enjoy not just as a job but more as my hobby. This allows me to exceed expectations of technical demands and standards ensuring maximum production at all times. Based in Durban CV available +27 78 151 7752 +27 67 047 3952 haripersadpremchand@gmail.com

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: October 24, 2022.

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

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