S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.24, June 17 2025
Download PDF
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser's website
Trading conditions
Not so bad in the Eastern Cape
I was thinking about my home province on Saturday.
Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA – “We had a record May,” Brian Bands Sports director John Cooney said on Saturday. “What we did differently I couldn’t tell you. Normally, business starts to slow for us in May, and June and July are quiet because of school holidays. It has started to slow now.”
Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA – “Good in moderation,” was how Knight’s Shoes member Chiman Harjeven described business. “We’ve had a very cold spell, which definitely helped, and we’ve got the National Arts Festival coming up from 26 June, which will help.”
East London, E. Cape, SA – This winter so far has been better than last year, Strand Outfitters member Simon Hunter said, although trading is still difficult. “Suppliers in general have tightened their trading terms, but many are understanding of the poor trading environment.”
Wage negotiations
General Goods & Handbags settles
The General Goods & Handbags Sector of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA (NBCLI) settled on a 5.5% wage increase on 10 June. The agreement comes into force on 01 July.
The Footwear Sector has not yet settled.
Allfashion Sourcing Cape Town 2025
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Allfashion Sourcing Cape Town 2025 is scheduled to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 08-10 July 2025. This premier business-oriented marketplace for the textile and fashion industry combines African creativity, design, and manufacturing with international sourcing options.
The event provides unparalleled opportunities for networking, international sourcing, and manufacturing collaborations.
Why Attend?
- 148+ exhibitors across fashion, textiles, tech, and sustainability
- Business matchmaking & one-on-one buyer meetings available to all
- 60+ live fashion shows
- Cutting-edge keynotes & panel discussions from colour trend talks, localisation, circular fashion, manufacturing processes, and more
- Young Designers Competition showcase and winner announcement
Join the continent's leading textile and fashion trade show, connecting local design and manufacturing with international sourcing. Where African creativity meets global opportunity.
Register Here to be part of the future of fashion: https://app.messereg.com/events/visitor/allfashion-sourcing
Click Here to discover more about the exhibition: https://allfashionsourcing.za.messefrankfurt.com/capetown/en.html
Panel Talks and Keynote Addresses:
Fighting Fakes: Protecting Local Creativity and Industry Through Authentic South African Fashion - Eustace Masimbye - Proudly South African
Unlocking Local Potential: Advancing SA Manufacturing for 65% Local Sourcing by 2030 - Courtney Barnes CCTC
Panel Discussion: From Waste to Worth: Building a Circular Fashion Economy in South Africa and Beyond
Panel Discussion: Local is Lekker? Navigating Localisation and Retail Realities in South Africa's Fashion Sector
There will be a Thandeka Vocational Trust Graduate Showcase on the main stage.
Young Designers Competition:
Now in its 7th year the AllFashion Sourcing Young Designers will once again be a highlight. This is a platform for young designers to shine.
Theme 2025: ECO-NOGY SA: A Creative Vision for South Africa's Sustainable Fashion Future
Overview South Africa's diverse cultural tapestry and natural beauty serve as the perfect foundation for innovation in sustainable fashion. Inspired by Techtextil Frankfurt's ECO-NOGY initiative, the 2025 Young Designer Competition challenges participants to reimagine the future of fashion with a bold South African perspective.
Designers are invited to merge creativity and sustainability, crafting collections that reflect the ingenuity of African design while addressing environmental and social challenges. From local craftsmanship to cutting-edge material science, your designs should position South Africa as a leader in sustainable innovation and storytelling through fashion.
The competition is open to designers graduating this year, recently graduated (in the past 5 years), or currently in a design internship program. It features prizes valued at more than R270 000,00. A R15 000,00 cash prize for the winner and a Legal Business Toolkit/business start-up kit designed by legal practitioners from ENS valued at R250 000,00; and R5 000,00 for the runner-up.
The top ten will showcase their designs on stage and the runner up and winner will be announced.
AFS will also reveal their AFS range developed of last year's banners and general signage of the event which was repurposed into beautiful garments. Over and above the three designers who each designed a garment as part of the range will be interviewed about their involvement in this project. Their individual brands will also be highlighted.
From upcycling and sustainable fashion to transparency in the supply chain, the AFS Range activated exactly what today's fashion world is hungry for — purpose-driven design.
Today's consumers want to know who made their clothes and how.
They're shopping with intention — knowing that a purchase is not just a product, it's an investment in people, ethics, and sustainability.
The Allfashion Sourcing trade event will combine a trade fair with around 60 fashion shows, a young designer competition, keynote addresses and panel discussions.
Change
Bethlehem, Free State, SA – Vic de Villiers has sold Duke’s Outfitters to Ali Ahmed. The deal was as of 01 June.
In case you missed it!
The June issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
S&V African Leather Magazine Vol19 No6 June 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
05 Upfront
- Karan Beef hit by FMD – no response from Bader SA on likely hold up in hide supply. Campaign to eradicate the disease ‘paying off’, DoA says.
- African Merino: Severe electricity, water breakdowns, ‘but we’re carrying on’.
- Ostrich: ‘No special concern over AI at the moment.’
07 An Eclectic View
- ESG portfolios: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has experienced significant growth over the past decade, but now is seeing a decline. Correspondent H. Procter looks at their future viability.
11 Leather, Its Image & Its Place In The World
- European Commission confirms Country Risk Classification in preparation for EUDR. The Sustainable Leather Foundation’s Deborah Taylor looks at this from several perspectives.
- ‘Real Leather. Stay Different.’, the Leather & Hide Council of America’s international student design competition, will be in Taiwan this year. Entries are still open.
13 Decoding Tanning Science
- The effect of fatliquor sulphitation on leather quality. Part of a series of articles contributed by Dr Clive Jackson-Moss of the International School of Tanning Technology.
15 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
16 Events
- UK Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists annual conference, AGM and dinner dance.
Advertisers in this Issue
Authenticae (OFC), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (10), Mimosa (04), Rolfes Leather Division (02), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (09), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (06), Sustainable Leather Foundation (08).
They Said It
"Will try, phone is 6 years old, and I am 56 – not a good combination." - Simo Simov, director of African Merino Trading (Pty) Ltd in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, SA, which produces wool-on sheepskins. He was taking a photo of his factory for an article in S&V African Leather. In the event, he borrowed a phone from a staff member and all went well. As you can see from the next quote, 56 is VERY young.
"I’ve just turned 79, I’m working 7 days a week, and things are going very well, thank you." - Gordon Howie, The Randburg Runner, Gauteng, SA.
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
New subscribers last week
Jethro, Business development , Dynamic Business & Tax Solutions, Durban, South Africa
Birthdays this week
16/06/1945: Yusuf Kadwa, retired, formerly May’s Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
16/06/1963: Deepak Dayal, Deluxe Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
16/06/1965: Tersia Wessels, retired, formerly Crocs SA, Somerset West, W. Cape, SA.
16/06/1973: Sue Meehan, left the industry, formerly Saddler Belt and Mantella Q Leather, Durban, KZN, SA.
16/06/1985: Chris Stottelaar, Leather Systems, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
16/06/1960: Jaywant Irkhede, retired, formerly The DTIC, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
17/06/1973: Alfredo de Oliveira, Fashion Fever, Welkom, Free State, SA.
17/06/1988: Deshan Chetty, Ace Outfitters, Kimberley, N. Cape, SA.
18/06/1933: Erich Debus, retired, formerly Richleigh Shoes (closed), Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
18/06/1970: Karin Pieck, Shoes & Views.
19/06/1979: Sumen Naicker, Fusion Footwear, Springs, Gauteng, SA.
19/06/1969: Monica Frank, formerly Labora Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/06/1964: Vasie Poken, Rathgar Falls Trading (Pty) Ltd, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/06/????: Patricia Khumalo, the DTIC, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
21/06/1962: Carl Brinkmann, agent, Windhoek, Namibia.
21/06/1969: Du Toit Kruger, KKI, Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA.
22/06/1964: Collin Govender, Owen’s Press Knives, Durban, KZN, SA.
In memoriam this week
17/06/1994: Roy Inggs (b. 18/06/1932), Inggs Shoe Stores (closed), Roodepoort/Florida, Gauteng, SA.
17/06/2021: Cornelius 'Con' Barnard (b. 01/02/1934), Stanhope Boot & Shoe, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
19/06/2021: Hennie du Plessis (b. 06/01/1942), Strassberger Shoes, Clanwilliam, W. Cape, SA.
21/06/1992: Jonathan Greenblatt, Richleigh Shoes (closed), Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/06/2010: Boris Levin (b. 03/07/1935), footwear agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 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.
Directory entries updated last week
Brian Bands Sports (Pty) Ltd, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
Concept Shoe Material Centre cc, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
Everflex Manufacturing Co. (Pty) Ltd, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
 
Exchange rates
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
1. SA Rand (ZAR)/Lesotho Loti (LSL)/Namibian Dollar (NAD)/Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 01/03/2025 |
R19.38 |
R23.50 |
R18.68 |
R 2.56 |
| 08/03/2025 |
R19.73 |
R23.53 |
R18.22 |
R 2.52 |
| 15/03/2025 |
R19.78 |
R23.49 |
R18.16 |
R 2.51 |
| 22/03/2025 |
R19.71 |
R23.54 |
R18.22 |
R 2.51 |
| 29/03/2025 |
R19.88 |
R23.77 |
R18.34 |
R 2.52 |
| 05/04/2025 |
R20.93 |
R24.73 |
R19.10 |
R 2.62 |
| 12/04/2025 |
R21.73 |
R25.03 |
R19.13 |
R 2.62 |
| 18/04/2025 |
R21.44 |
R25.00 |
R18.83 |
R 2.57 |
| 26/04/2025 |
R21.23 |
R24.85 |
R18.65 |
R 2.56 |
| 03/05/2025 |
R20.79 |
R24.42 |
R18.40 |
R 2.53 |
| 10/05/2025 |
R20.47 |
R24.20 |
R18.19 |
R 2.51 |
| 17/05/2025 |
R20.14 |
R23.96 |
R18.04 |
R 2.50 |
| 24/05/2025 |
R20.28 |
R24.12 |
R17.84 |
R 2.48 |
| 02/06/2025 |
R20.42 |
R24.23 |
R17.89 |
R 2.48 |
| 05/06/2025 |
R20.26 |
R24.06 |
R17.78 |
R 2.47 |
| 14/06/2025 |
R20.73 |
R24.35 |
R17.94 |
R 2.49 |
2. Botswana Pula
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 01/03/2025 |
14.29 |
17.32 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 08/03/2025 |
14.78 |
17.63 |
13.65 |
1.88 |
| 15/03/2025 |
14.83 |
17.62 |
13.62 |
1.88 |
| 22/03/2025 |
14.74 |
17.60 |
13.62 |
1.87 |
| 29/03/2025 |
14.71 |
17.57 |
13.58 |
1.87 |
| 05/04/2025 |
15.17 |
17.92 |
13.85 |
1.90 |
| 12/04/2025 |
15.78 |
18.18 |
13.90 |
1.90 |
| 18/04/2025 |
15.67 |
18.27 |
13.76 |
1.88 |
| 26/04/2025 |
15.67 |
18.33 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 03/05/2025 |
15.39 |
18.08 |
13.62 |
1.87 |
| 10/05/2025 |
15.28 |
18.06 |
13.58 |
1.87 |
| 17/05/2025 |
15.11 |
17.98 |
13.54 |
1.87 |
| 24/05/2025 |
15.34 |
18.26 |
13.49 |
1.87 |
| 02/06/2025 |
15.30 |
18.16 |
13.40 |
1.86 |
| 05/06/2025 |
15.28 |
18.15 |
13.41 |
1.86 |
| 14/06/2025 |
15.46 |
18.16 |
13.38 |
1.86 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)
Source: https://www.rbm.mw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 01/03/2025 |
1836.44 |
2224.46 |
1717.02 |
95.68 |
| 08/03/2025 |
1912.31 |
2278.93 |
1717.02 |
97.50 |
| 15/03/2025 |
1917.62 |
2286.82 |
1717.02 |
96.82 |
| 22/03/2025 |
1916.03 |
2286.89 |
1717.02 |
97.27 |
| 29/03/2025 |
1907.36 |
2287.95 |
1717.02 |
97.04 |
| 05/04/2025 |
1956.35 |
2309.52 |
1717.02 |
93.40 |
| 12/04/2025 |
2004.45 |
2308.11 |
1717.02 |
91.33 |
| 18/04/2025 |
2009.58 |
2339.94 |
1717.02 |
93.66 |
| 26/04/2025 |
2006.57 |
2351.62 |
1717.02 |
94.02 |
| 03/05/2025 |
2002.68 |
2353.74 |
1717.02 |
96.02 |
| 10/05/2025 |
1988.00 |
2342.77 |
1717.02 |
97.06 |
| 17/05/2025 |
1983.41 |
2357.10 |
1717.02 |
98.16 |
| 24/05/2025 |
2000.56 |
2377.61 |
1717.02 |
98.49 |
| 02/06/2025 |
2017.01 |
2393.35 |
1717.02 |
98.73 |
| 05/06/2025 |
2022.14 |
2396.01 |
1717.02 |
99.61 |
| 14/06/2025 |
2040.88 |
2395.83 |
1717.02 |
98.50 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)
Source: https://www.boz.zm/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 01/03/2025 |
29.67 |
35.91 |
28.51 |
1.54 |
| 08/03/2025 |
31.07 |
36.95 |
28.59 |
1.57 |
| 15/03/2025 |
31.17 |
37.02 |
28.61 |
1.57 |
| 22/03/2025 |
31.21 |
37.25 |
28.82 |
1.58 |
| 29/03/2025 |
30.80 |
36.95 |
28.55 |
1.57 |
| 05/04/2025 |
30.69 |
36.18 |
27.84 |
1.46 |
| 12/04/2025 |
32.17 |
37.01 |
28.19 |
1.46 |
| 18/04/2025 |
28.42 |
37.65 |
32.29 |
1.51 |
| 26/04/2025 |
31.80 |
37.33 |
28.02 |
1.48 |
| 03/05/2025 |
31.59 |
37.06 |
27.84 |
1.51 |
| 10/05/2025 |
29.81 |
35.19 |
26.47 |
1.45 |
| 17/05/2025 |
30.02 |
35.64 |
26.82 |
1.48 |
| 24/05/2025 |
30.95 |
36.89 |
27.34 |
1.52 |
| 02/06/2025 |
30.13 |
35.83 |
26.59 |
1.48 |
| 05/06/2025 |
28.79 |
34.19 |
25.29 |
1.42 |
| 14/06/2025 |
28.00 |
32.89 |
24.32 |
1.34 |
5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US$ |
ZAR |
| 01/03/2025 |
ZIG 27.59 |
ZIG 33.42 |
ZIG 26.56 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 08/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.79 |
ZIG 34.32 |
ZIG 26.64 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 15/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.91 |
ZIG 34.51 |
ZIG 26.66 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 22/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.90 |
ZIG 34.52 |
ZIG 26.70 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 29/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.85 |
ZIG 34.60 |
ZIG 26.74 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 05/04/2025 |
ZIG 29.68 |
ZIG 35.06 |
ZIG 26.78 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 12/04/2025 |
ZIG 30.29 |
ZIG 34.88 |
ZIG 26.81 |
ZIG 0.72 |
| 18/04/2025 |
ZIG 30.44 |
ZIG 35.41 |
ZIG 26.79 |
ZIG 0.71 |
| 26/04/2025 |
ZIG 30.38 |
ZIG 35.62 |
ZIG 26.80 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 03/05/2025 |
ZIG 30.33 |
ZIG 35.71 |
ZIG 26.81 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 10/05/2025 |
ZIG 30.11 |
ZIG 35.49 |
ZIG 26.84 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 17/05/2025 |
ZIG 30.11 |
ZIG 35.79 |
ZIG 26.86 |
ZIG 0.67 |
| 24/05/2025 |
ZIG 30.45 |
ZIG 36.18 |
ZIG 26.89 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 02/06/2025 |
ZIG 30.60 |
ZIG 36.31 |
ZIG 26.92 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 05/06/2025 |
ZIG 30.79 |
ZIG 36.54 |
ZIG 26.94 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 14/06/2025 |
ZIG 31.06 |
ZIG 36.50 |
ZIG 26.97 |
ZIG 0.66 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (12 June 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 0.06% to R2.4697/kg from R2.4712/kg a week ago. The current price is 14.74% lower than the average price a month ago and was 23.5% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.00 Maximum price: R2.90. 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, Nkhensani Mashimbyi, agricultural economist, and Zama Sangweni, agricultural economist, ABSA group.
Note: For previous prices, see HERE
Have a look at these links
We invite businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others. The links below are from our database:
Healthwise (Distinctive Choice 1660 (Pty) Ltd), East London, E. Cape, SA. Health shop.
Heart & Soul, Knysna, W. Cape, SA. Furniture manufacturer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Footwear industry loses 1 of 2 women’s heel makers
Small parcel duties: ‘It had become a problem for the Retail CTFL value chain’
Tanning, footwear sectors in dispute over wages
Customs fraud follow-up
Mr Price final results March 2024
Looking for women’s ‘Sunday church shoes’
Retirement - Wendy Burger retired from Shotland's Packaging at the end of May
In case you missed it!: The June issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.25, June 17 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Restarting retail
- TFG: Orders recommenced
- Edcon: No answers yet about potential buyers
Closing: Shoe Empire calls it quits
Rescue package for Adidas
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.24, June 15, 2020
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
All the past S&V Weekly Newsletters from January 2016 onwards are available in the newsletter archive.
VIEW THE ARCHIVE - CLICK HERE
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: Monday 23 June, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 20 June.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
|
