S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.25, June 23 2025
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Trading conditions
Pedalling harder to stand still
Peter Meinzer, Thiel’s Shoes
Windhoek, Namibia – Trade seems to be exactly the same as last year. We have more stock and more variety, but it doesn’t seem to be getting better. If we hadn’t increased our offering, trade would probably have been worse.
I think it’s much the same as conditions in South Africa.
It’s not difficult for us to get stock, but SARS seems to have made it more difficult for SA exporters with goods sometimes stuck at the border on the South African side.
Our payments to South Africa have been sorted out, but changes have made life unpleasant.
It will take time for cash injection from govt to filter down
Zaf Khan, Kopano Stores (Pty) Ltd and Majita (Pty) Ltd
Gaborone, Botswana – Conditions are tight, but we’re hopeful that government will release funds soon. We have a new government – it’s been in power for about a year – and when they came in, it was found that the deficit was much bigger than expected. Even civil service salaries have been paid late.
They’ve sourced funds, but even when they start injecting money, it will take time to filter through to the general economy. I think we must wait until the end of the next quarter before we really see the effect.
On the Kopano side, fashion is the first sector to feel the effect, and it’s been quiet. Hopefully, come Christmas sales will come bouncing back.
Majita sells mostly safety footwear, gumboots and uniform shoes – with a small amount of workwear – mostly to government, municipal and central. Majita has been fulfilling contracts signed at the end of last year, but there’s not been much new business.
Majita also does some wholesale business, but it’s only about 10% of turnover.
Forex challenge, but customers still want more expensive shoes
Iqbal Hajat, Footwear Centre Ltd
Blantyre, Malawi – Since last October we have been experiencing Forex issues which make it very difficult to do payments on time. So we have reduced our orders accordingly and are just staying on our core styles and colours to be on the safe side.
It has been extremely difficult in terms of planning orders, etc., and we lose customers due to lack of sizes and so on. However, they all know the situation and keep checking with us on when we are expecting new arrivals.
Surprisingly, sales are higher than previous years but that could also be due to higher prices. However, we notice that customers still want the high end products and are not put off by price points.
I just hope Malawi will eventually apply to join the BRICS economic cooperation community which may improve our situation somewhat.
Design competition
Last chance to enter international competition
- Enter Only Natural 2025 and your work could be featured at Material Matters London - Entrants challenged to use only natural materials to design a fashion or home piece - Competition closes 30 June. Enter Here
London, UK (18 June 2025) – It’s the last call for entries to the Only Natural 2025 Student Design Competition, the international programme challenging the next generation of designers to put nature first – reimagining the future of fashion and home design through the exclusive use of sustainable, natural materials.
This year, winners will be showcased at the Material Matters London during London Design Festival, giving students the chance to see their work exhibited alongside some of the most innovative names in sustainable design. The winners will be revealed on 16 September, during the preview evening of Material Matters London at its new home at Space House.
Only Natural is backed by trade bodies representing natural fibres including the Leather & Hide Council of America, American Wool Council, American Hardwood Export Council, National Industrial Hemp Council, Mohair Council of America, and American Softwoods. Entrants are invited to submit work in one of two categories: Fashion (Apparel, Footwear, Accessories) or Home (Furniture, Interiors). Each submission must incorporate at least two natural materials such as leather, wool, wood, cotton or hemp – no synthetics or plastic-based components are allowed.
The Only Natural competition is open for entries Here. Closing date for entries: 30 June 2025.
Counterfeits
Luxury counterfeiters keep winning
Bloomberg
Fighting counterfeiters is crucial to purveyors of second hand luxury goods as the resale market continues to grow, outpacing sales of new luxury products.
* In 2021, less than a third of the items rejected by the French luxury resale website Vestiaire Collective were spurned on suspicion of being counterfeit. Today it’s more than half.
* The real issue is what the industry calls super fakes – copies that are almost indistinguishable from the originals, making authentication efforts all the more challenging.
* With tariffs already raising prices for luxury goods imported to the US by at least 10%, and the risk they may go much higher, the second hand market will likely keep growing.
Durban fair cancelled
Jeen Joshua, Verifair, Dubai
We regret to inform you that AFLEX South Africa 2025 has been cancelled, though we tried hard to revive it.
We have decided not to proceed with the show based on the current geopolitical situation and the uncertainties looming around critical business decisions, especially in India, Turkey and Chinese markets.
That said, our show in Dubai, DIFEX DUBAI 2025, is looking very positive. More information www.diflexdubai.com
They Said It
"At my age, nature doesn’t call – it yells." - Jax Snyman, The Sweat Shop. Ah, diuretics.
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
Rasta, Entrepreneur, Heritage, Johannesburg, South Africa
Birthdays this week
24/06/1956: Dhirendra Bhoola, Danny's Outfitters, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
24/06/1968: Meshi Sunker, Soviet Group, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
24/06/1978: Ashveer Kallichurum, Shoe Component Supplies, KwaDukuza, KZN, SA.
25/06/1976: Scott Croney, agent, East London, E. Cape, SA.
25/06/1983: Sylvia Steyn, Fashion House Rules, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
26/06/1935: Jurgen Wedekind, retired, formerly Bellstedt, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/06/1945: John ‘Zorb’ Caryer, retired, formerly Camdeboo Meat Processing, Graaff Reinet, E. Cape, SA.
26/06/1956: Beau Rynhoud, RR Chemicals, Edenvale, Gauteng, SA.
27/06/19??: Mpho Ramoshaba, the DTI, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
28/06/1948: Joan Furner, retired, formerly Shoe Style, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
28/06/1957: AH Bulbulia, formerly Papa Shoes/Bulhafi Shoes, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
28/06/1975: Zane Ashraf, Foot Style, Durban, KZN, SA.
29/06/1947: Saeed Bux, formerly Elahi Footwear (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
29/06/1958: Ahmed Saloojee, Status Shoetique, Rustenburg, N.W. Province, SA.
29/06/1975: Girish Chagan, American Clothing/The Vault, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
30/06/1948: John Ashworth, Little Slipper, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
30/06/1964: Raj Singh, Mr Price, Durban, KZN, SA.
In memoriam this week
23/06/2016: Benjamin ‘Buzz’ Burke (b. 22/08/1949), Dolphin Components, Shoe Buzz [both closed], Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
23/06/2016: Billy Moodley (b. 31/08/1956), BM Components, Durban, KZN, SA.
24/06/1995: Anand Singh, Angel Footwear Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/06/2002: Gerald Haug (b. 28/01/1924), Bondseal (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
25/06/2021: Guy Blake (b. 12/07/1970), commission agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/06/2021: Gordon Singh (b. 02/02/1931), retired, formerly Monique Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
27/06/2015: Dave Bromfield (b. 19/11/1946), Apeco, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
27/06/2019: Ebrahim 'Briggs' Mohamed (b. 29/04/1943), agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
28/06/1996: Geoff Hirsch, Leather Publicity Committee, S&V, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/06/2020: Athan 'Saki' Baronos (b. 07/04/1958), E. Baronos Leather Manufacturers, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
29/06/2014: Joe Vivian (b. 02/11/1928), agent, Cape Town, W. 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.
Directory entries updated last week
Casting Concepts cc, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
Innovative PVC Compounds [Trakprops 164 (Pty) Ltd], Durban, 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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
R20.75 |
R24.23 |
R18.01 |
R 2.50 |
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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
15.43 |
18.02 |
13.39 |
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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
2037.88 |
2384.86 |
1717.02 |
98.25 |
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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
26.59 |
31.18 |
23.10 |
1.28 |
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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
ZIG 31.10 |
ZIG 36.42 |
ZIG 26.99 |
ZIG 0.66 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (19 June 2025) – The current average hide price remained R2.4697/kg. The current price is 0.57% lower than the average price a month ago and was 23.0% 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:
Hedgehog Leather Taxidermy & Tannery, Koppies, Free State SA. Taxidermy.
Heel2Toe, Port Louis, Mauritius. Women’s shoe retailer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Caprini to resume production
Dr Jacob’s registering to supply Amazon
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.26, June 24 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Restarting manufacturing: Retrenchments
- Bolton: Still negotiating
Edcon: Still no word on suitors
Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)
- TFG: Final results March 2020
- Massmart: Covid-19, sales and trading update
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.25, June 22, 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 30 June, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 27 June.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
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