S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.33, August 18 2025
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SAFLEC urges government to fight for return to duty-free exports to US
The SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) is urging the SA Government to request a return to duty-free exports of leather, footwear and leather goods exports to the United States, arguing that South Africa is not a significant contributor to the US’s imports, but that they nonetheless create jobs in SA.
In an email on 31 July to industry associations, clusters and stakeholders in the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (CTFL) sectors, the Bilateral Trade Desk of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) asked for comments on “a possible initial offer to the US of tariffs equal to those of the EU”.
SAFLEC executive director Nerisha Jairaj argued that wouldn’t work for the sectors her council represents.
“In short, when compared to EU rates, we are fine when access is duty-free, but in the HS codes calling for 10% and 20% tariffs (same as EU) put us at a disadvantage versus other African exporters, so we asked for a parity check,” she wrote.
“For reference, U.S. general tariffs are roughly:
• Ch. 41 (raw hides/leather): 4–6%
• Ch. 42 (handbags/leather goods): 8–20% (handbags ~8–10%)
• Ch. 64 (footwear): 8–10% for leather, up to 37.5% for some non-leather lines
“With AGOA we were duty-free. Compared to 0%, these hikes are a serious setback — especially in handbags and footwear, where margins are already tight. We also highlighted that our sector is not the U.S.’s biggest threat, and argued for a better agreement given its labour-intensive, high-employment potential.
“We suggested also it may be worth looking at U.S. import stats on footwear and leather goods into South Africa, and whether a bilateral agreement could be considered.”
They Said It
"A localisation support fund report on the impact of offshore e-commerce players’ operations in SA estimates that platforms like Temu and Shein have cost 8 000 local jobs. I wonder who has allowed this to happen? SARS needs to put increased tariffs on those 2 companies to stop the bleeding of our economy." - Ivor Saks, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, 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
Birthdays this week
18/08/19??: Robbie Blom, Leisure Holdings, Durban, KZN, SA.
18/08/1958: Mike Wallace, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
18/08/1961: Braam Pretorius, ?, formerly Watson Shoes, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
18/08/1971: Rooksana Moosa, Mozak Shoes, Amanzimtoti, KZN, SA.
19/08/1959: Luis de Freitas, Leather Leisure, Welkom, Free State, SA.
20/08/1965: Craig Brouwer, Albatros Clothing & Promotional Gifts, Germiston, Gauteng, SA.
20/08/1980: Nicholas Bryant, A Greenaways and ProFit Safety Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
21/08/1949: Brian Pollock, retired, formerly Jordan Shoes (now Bolton Footwear), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
21/08/1952: Wayne Little, Matas Import, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
21/08/1974: Lisa Rheeder, Acol Chemical, Harare, Zimbabwe.
22/08/1936: Norma Varley, retired, formerly Edcon (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
22/08/1945: Richard Hirsch, Richardson's Shoes, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/08/1954: Jax Snyman, The Sweat Shop, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
23/08/1947: Leon Volschenk, Leo D’ Mar, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
23/08/1949: David Sheppard, D.P. Sheppard & Co, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
23/08/1965: Glyn Giani, the Footwear Design & Technology School of SA, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
23/08/1971: Raymond Schutte, agent, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
24/08/1940: Fred Carpel, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
24/08/1944: Rolf Oltmanns, retired, PMC Group, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
24/08/1957: Clive Wood, Crown Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
24/08/1961: Ulf Oehl, Stahl SA, Midrand, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
18/08/2016: Christian Meyer (b. 16/12/1936), Jack & Jill (closed), Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
19/08/2002: Dick Ilsley (b.11/12/1921), BUSM (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
19/08/2019: Ronald 'Ronnie' Harris (b. 4/12/1934), La Nuova Shoes (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
20/08/2016: Gordon Horsfield (b.), GW Cowie & Co, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/08/????: Edward Jones-Davies (b. 10/06/1925), BUSM (closed), Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
21/08/2021: Imraan Kharva (b. 17/01/1973), Americanos, Ladysmith, KZN, SA.
21/09/1993: Bhagwandas Dayaram Ambaram (b. 15/07/1943), JFK Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.
22/08/2006: Bob Butler (b. 01/02/1928), Burton’s Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
23/08/1950: Andy Thuysman, In Step Leather Craft, Jeffrey's Bay, E. Cape, SA.
23/08/2022: Sakkie van der Vyver (b. 02/03/1945), retired, formerly Adidas, 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.
New subscribers last week
Maggie Naidoo, Senior Sourcing Specialist, TFG, South Africa
Anya Brits, Environmental Officer, Cape Karoo International, Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Directory entries updated last week
Falke Eurosocks [Franz Falke Textiles (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Flexelle Agencies (Pty) Ltd, Gauteng, SA.
HS Marketing (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Loroban Fashion Distributors (Pty) Ltd, Sandton, Gauteng, SA.
Vandan Engineering Services KZN (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 |
| 21/06/2025 |
R20.75 |
R24.23 |
R18.01 |
R 2.50 |
| 28/06/2025 |
R20.88 |
R24.46 |
R17.82 |
R 2.48 |
| 05/07/2025 |
R20.70 |
R24.00 |
R17.58 |
R 2.45 |
| 12/07/2025 |
R20.93 |
R24.18 |
R17.90 |
R 2.49 |
| 19/07/2025 |
R20.60 |
R23.78 |
R17.72 |
R 2.46 |
| 28/07/2025 |
R20.82 |
R23.90 |
R17.81 |
R 2.48 |
| 04/08/2025 |
R20.79 |
R23.87 |
R17.98 |
R 2.50 |
| 09/08/2025 |
R20.62 |
R23.85 |
R17.74 |
R 2.49 |
| 17/08/2025 |
R20.59 |
R23.85 |
R17.60 |
R 2.45 |
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 |
| 28/06/2025 |
15.60 |
18.27 |
13.31 |
1.85 |
| 05/07/2025 |
15.58 |
18.07 |
13.23 |
1.84 |
| 12/07/2025 |
14.77 |
17.07 |
12.64 |
1.76 |
| 19/07/2025 |
16.22 |
18.72 |
13.95 |
1.94 |
| 28/07/2025 |
15.81 |
18.16 |
13.53 |
1.88 |
| 04/08/2025 |
15.75 |
18.09 |
13.62 |
1.89 |
| 09/08/2025 |
16.58 |
19.17 |
14.26 |
1.98 |
| 17/08/2025 |
16.57 |
19.22 |
14.18 |
1.97 |
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 |
| 28/06/2025 |
2070.95 |
2429.43 |
1717.02 |
99.17 |
| 05/07/2025 |
2082.80 |
2416.70 |
1717.02 |
100.70 |
| 12/07/2025 |
2065.11 |
2393.71 |
1717.02 |
99.44 |
| 19/07/2025 |
2054.50 |
2372.84 |
1717.02 |
99.43 |
| 28/07/2025 |
2072.89 |
2372.13 |
1717.02 |
99.60 |
| 04/08/2025 |
2043.89 |
2346.49 |
1717.02 |
98.34 |
| 09/08/2025 |
2059.63 |
2374.43 |
1717.02 |
99.76 |
| 17/08/2025 |
2063.52 |
2395.47 |
1717.02 |
100.69 |
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 |
| 28/06/2025 |
27.76 |
32.49 |
23.66 |
1.32 |
| 05/07/2025 |
28.57 |
33.11 |
24.25 |
1.37 |
| 12/07/2025 |
27.16 |
31.38 |
23.24 |
1.29 |
| 19/07/2025 |
26.77 |
30.91 |
22.95 |
1.29 |
| 28/07/2025 |
27.37 |
31.38 |
23.36 |
1.31 |
| 04/08/2025 |
Website would not open this morning |
| 09/08/2025 |
27.01 |
31.13 |
23.18 |
1.30 |
| 17/08/2025 |
27.13 |
31.48 |
23.21 |
1.31/td> |
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 |
| 28/06/2025 |
ZIG 31.48 |
ZIG 36.97 |
ZIG 26.93 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 05/07/2025 |
ZIG 31.68 |
ZIG 36.78 |
ZIG 26.89 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 12/07/2025 |
ZIG 31.35 |
ZIG 36.40 |
ZIG 26.83 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 19/07/2025 |
ZIG 31.13 |
ZIG 35.96 |
ZIG 26.80 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 28/07/2025 |
ZIG 31.45 |
ZIG 35.98 |
ZIG 26.79 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 04/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.02 |
ZIG 35.58 |
ZIG 26.79 |
ZIG 0.67 |
| 04/08/2025 |
Website would not open on Saturday |
| 17/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.17 |
ZIG 36.22 |
ZIG 26.78 |
ZIG 0.66 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (08 August 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 0.03% to R2.4682/kg from R2.4689/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.18% lower than the average price a month ago and was 10% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.00 Maximum price: R2.88. 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:
Holiday Boutique, Plettenberg Bay, W. Cape, SA. Women’s apparel retailer.
Holiday Makers, Port Shepstone, KZN, SA. Family apparel retailer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Seizure of incorrectly marked gloves – NCC has ‘draconian’ powers over importers
The labelling dilemma
Well-known South African retailer in business rescue
In case you missed it!: The latest issue of S&V Protect Magazine
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.34, August 19 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Retail
- Botswana
-- Logistics a problem
- Lesotho
-- Cutting margins only option
- Malawi
-- New government having an effect
- South Africa
-- Consumers short of money
Hepworths closes stores
People
- Eco Rubber member dies
- APLF director retires
Finance
- Rights offer 'to help TFG take advantage of opportunities'
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.33, Aug 17, 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 25 August, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 22 August.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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