S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.37, September 15 2025
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Counterfeit product
Temu removes Hi-Tec counterfeits, pledges no more, ‘but still up to us to keep an eye on them’, attorney says
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Temu has withdrawn counterfeit Hi-Tec products from its online catalogue following a ‘cease and desist’ letter on 02 September from Hi-Tec SA’s attorneys (parts of which were published in last week’s Newsletter). It has not, however, indicated how many pairs were sold, how many may still be in existence, or compensated Hi-Tec. Temu’s reply read:
As an online platform, Temu highly values and respects intellectual property rights and is eager to collaborate with right holders to combat against infringement. Temu operates as a passive platform, facilitating a marketplace where independent third-party merchants list and sell their products. Temu does not own, possess, use, produce, manufacture, or sell the products listed by the independent merchants, nor does Temu create or control the content of the listings.
After receiving your complaint, we carefully reviewed the enclosed information and removed the reported products. Furthermore, we are implementing reasonable measures to prevent the concerned products being relisted. While we, as a neutral platform, are not under general obligation to monitor content uploaded by third-party merchants, we are taking additional proactive steps to identify and remove listings that may potentially infringe your client's trademark rights in South Africa based on the information provided.
Temu remains committed to acting promptly and responsibly upon receiving notice of potentially infringing materials. If you identify any other potentially infringing materials in the future, Temu recommends you to use Temu IP Portal at https://www.temu.com/intellectual-property-complaint.html. The form is straightforward, and this portal ensures that Temu's professional IP team can handle such matters swiftly and efficiently.
Candidate attorney Phillip Theron of Strauss Daly inc. confirmed “the offending product listings” had been removed from the Temu platform.
Hi-Tec had registered its trademarks on Temu’s brand registry portal, and “going forward, any attempt by third-party sellers to upload new products under the Hi-Tec name or bearing the Hi-Tec logo should be flagged by Temu’s system and prevented from going live”, he wrote.
Because of its structure, Temu “does not track the number of units sold by individual sellers and cannot provide figures on how many units of the offending products may have been sold prior to their removal. Temu also does not assume liability for past sales by independent sellers unless compelled to do so by a competent authority.”
He added: “From a legal perspective, this means that while the Brand Registry will help prevent future infringements, the initial detection of infringing listings on Temu will still largely rely on our monitoring and reporting them as they arise. This model is consistent with how other large e-commerce platforms operate.
“Importantly, Hi-Tec’s legal rights and remedies have been fully reserved. Should Temu fail to comply with our demands or allow further unauthorised use of the Hi-Tec trademarks in future, we are entitled to pursue the appropriate legal remedies against the responsible sellers and, where appropriate, against Temu itself if it fails to act upon notice of infringement.”
Trade fairs
‘Hundreds’ of African retailers at Micam, organisers say
Milan, Italy – There were more than 100 visitors each from Nigeria and South Africa at Micam and Mipel, according to the organisers. The post-show report read: “Visitors came from 126 countries, with the strongest participation from Spain, Germany, France, Poland, China, Japan, Nigeria, and South Africa”.
There were over 20 000 visitors, 57% from outside Italy.
In response to a request for more information about the African visitors, Micam communication manager Fabiana Tempestini wrote: “For privacy reasons, unfortunately, we cannot provide the list of exhibitors. However, all those coming from Africa were mainly retailers. As for individual figures, we cannot share them; please note, though, that we consider the top countries visiting the exhibition [to be] those with over 100 attendees per country.”
Among the SA delegates were 5 selected by the Italian Trade Commission in Johannesburg and sponsored by the organisers to attend Micam and 1 to attend Mipel.
In the release, she said 2 Italian Government Ministers and a Senator had delivered messages pledging support for Italy’s fashion sector.
It was the 100th edition of the Micam footwear fair, and the 128th edition of the Mipel handbag and leather goods fair.
They Said It
"My grandfather on my mom’s side, Gabriel Greeff, worked for Oudtshoorn Footwear in the 1950/60s. My dad, Charles Prinsloo, joined Bata Gwelo around 1970. I started at Bata during my school holidays when I was 15. My mom, Naomi, and my sister, Estelle, were also employed by Bata Gwelo. My dad took a transfer to Bata Pinetown in 1975, and I transferred to Bata Pinetown in 1977, where I met my future wife, Ingrid, who was working for the company. My son, Carl, works with me as an agent. I’ve been in the industry for 55 years, and as a family, we’ve been involved for at least 65 years." - Dionne Prinsloo, Allied Agencies, Durban, KZN, 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
16/09/1965: Roy Feigenbaum, Superior PPE, Bramley, Gauteng, SA.
16/09/1990: Daniel McCarthy, Groundcover Leather Company, Curry’s Post, KZN, SA.
17/09/1944: Avril Goldstein, Daisy Roots, Balfour Park, Gauteng, SA.
18/09/1942: Michael Beattie, Tina's Shoes, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
18/09/????: Julie Oates, Julz Shoes, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
19/09/1976: Harunur Rashid Rubel, Splendour Investments Ltd, Manzini, Swaziland.
19/09/1976: Shahid Koor, Urban Mania, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/09/1947: Patrick ‘Chicken’ Price, agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/09/1952: Tony Cheves, Vexivert, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/09/????: Renate du Rand, Ghia 33 Shoes & Accessories, Knysna, W. Cape, SA.
21/09/1972: Nicholas Gordon, Turbek Trading, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
15/09/1995: Andy Bax, NPI, Durban, KZN, SA.
15/09/2013: Bruce Mallett (b.27/06/1952), Simply Shoes, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
15/09/2014: Fred Eboru (b. 01/10/1947), Fred Footwear, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
15/09/2016: Franco Polia (b. 01/01/1937), designer, Durban, KZN, SA.
17/09/2023: Chris Schutte (b. 01/03/1945), agent, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
18/09/1992: Wally Barkus, agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
18/09/2012: Jimmy Andresen (b. 02/06/1947), agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/09/2000: Marthinus Philipus ‘MP’ Theunissen (b. 09/06/1919), Chemical Specialities/Clariant, Durban, KZN, SA.
18/09/2023: Misheck Sibanda (b. 08/08/1961), G&D Shoes, Footwear & Rubber Industries, The Courteney Boot Company, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
20/09/1998: PW (Pat) Singh, Palm Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/09/2024: Mike Lambrakis (b. 04/04/1945), Scotts Group, Frame Group, Poly-Soles, OG Footwear, Kalistos Footwear, Lambella Footwear, Andreoli Shoes, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
21/09/1997: Ronnie Venter, agent.
I stand to be corrected, but I think this is the first time there have been more names under In Memoriam than under Birthdays. PLEASE, if you aren’t on our birthday list, send me your date of birth.
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
Paresh, Self employed, South Africa
Thys Small, Business Development Associate, Union Electrical Wholesalers, Germiston, South Africa
 
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 ¥ |
| 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 |
| 24/08/2025 |
R20.44 |
R23.55 |
R17.43 |
R 2.43 |
| 30/08/2025 |
R20.62 |
R23.83 |
R17.65 |
R 2.47 |
| 06/09/2025 |
R20.59 |
R23.70 |
R17.57 |
R 2.46 |
| 13/09/2025 |
R20.38 |
R23.54 |
R17.37 |
R 2.43 |
2. Botswana Pula
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 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 |
| 24/08/2025 |
16.89 |
19.45 |
14.40 |
2.01 |
| 30/08/2025 |
16.78 |
19.40 |
14.36 |
2.01 |
| 06/09/2025 |
16.45 |
18.93 |
14.04 |
1.96 |
| 13/09/2025 |
16.67 |
19.26 |
14.21 |
1.99 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)
Source: https://www.rbm.mw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 24/08/2025 |
2050.79 |
2370.89 |
1717.02 |
99.83 |
| 30/08/2025 |
2062.64 |
2386.46 |
1717.02 |
99.78 |
| 06/09/2025 |
2064.05 |
2381.33 |
1717.02 |
99.85 |
| 13/09/2025 |
2074.13 |
2396.36 |
1717.02 |
101.76 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)
Source: https://www.boz.zm/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 24/08/2025 |
26.97 |
31.16 |
23.22 |
1.31 |
| 30/08/2025 |
27.47 |
31.69 |
23.55 |
1.32 |
| 06/09/2025 |
28.03 |
32.32 |
23.87 |
1.36 |
| 13/09/2025 |
27.88 |
32.25 |
23.81 |
1.36 |
5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US$ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 24/08/2025 |
ZIG 30.99 |
ZIG 35.83 |
ZIG 26.75 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 30/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.20 |
ZIG 36.10 |
ZIG 26.75 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 06/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.17 |
ZIG 35.93 |
ZIG 26.71 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 13/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.35 |
ZIG 36.23 |
ZIG 26.72 |
ZIG 0.65 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (04 September 2025) – The current average hide price increased by 1.34% to R2.32/kg from R2.29/kg a week ago. The current price is 5.83% lower than the average price a month ago and was 17.0% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.50. 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:
Hotter Comfort Concept, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Footwear distributor.
House of Motani, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Leather furniture manufacturer and retailer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Cork upper brand ceases operation
Corvari: Toughest year ever
Appointment: Vuyolwethu Yekiso, at Cape Union Mart
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.38, September 16 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Retail
- Botswana
-- Fear, not money, the major problem
- Eswatini
-- Customers 'expect deep price cuts'
- Namibia
-- 'We should recover quite quickly'
- South Africa
-- 'It's getting better each month'
-- Triple M in business rescue
- Zimbabwe
-- 'We're going down the same road for the second time'
The 'masterplan' for SA's CTFL sector - Official DTIC release
- Localisation plan in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather industry set to accelerate
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.37, Sept 14, 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 22 September, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 19 September.
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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