S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.42, October 20 2025
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Evané: ‘Sticking with our niche’
Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA – Leather men’s footwear manufacturer Evané Footwear has kept to its business model of supplying only independent retailers and wholesalers, member Raffique Shah said last week.
“Supplying chains would mean switching to synthetics and supplying much bigger volumes,” he said. “Leather footwear has become much more of a luxury item, and we’ve had to reduce production to 300 pairs/day with a 4-day week – not the levels I would like to be at – but we are now a niche manufacturer, and there’s some security in that.”
He said Evané would review its strategy for next year.
Veldskoen founders open new export business
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – The founders of Veldskoen Shoes, Ross Zondagh and Nick Dreyer, have both resigned from the company and have set up a new business which will concentrate on promoting South African made products in North America and Europe.
Dreyer resigned in August, Zondagh in September, following court cases in February and June between them and Veldskoen Shoes as the respondents, and Adrian Moors, the Dorothea Charlotte Moors Family Trust, and Hendrika Zondagh as applicants, which led to the calling up on loans and Veldskoen Shoes being placed under business rescue.
“We found it impossible to continue at Veldskoen,” Zondagh said, “but this hasn’t affected our belief in South African manufacturing and South Africa as a brand capable of generating euphoria globally.
“We’ve started a new business, trading as Made In RSA, to help South African brands which are doing well here to break into the US and the EU, especially.
“We spent 8 years developing Veldskoen, and we’ve paid our school fees. We don’t have the overheads of Veldskoen, and most of the Veldskoen staff have joined us. We feel we’re in a unique position to assist good manufacturers of quality products.”
 
In case you missed it!
The October issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
S&V African Leather Magazine Vol19 No10 October 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
05 Upfront
- Foot and mouth disease: Low automotive demand ‘a blessing’.
- Fungicide launch planned, writes Leather Systems’ SA’s Tony Stottelaar.
- When textile mills are down, hopefully tanneries are up, writes Fredisco Dyes & Chemicals’ Matt Schneider.
- Keeping it in the family: FC&T Supplies’ Hannes Harding explains changes.
- Key changes in TFL’s leadership team.
09 An Eclectic View
- Gelatine industry – leather users have long joked about good it would be to have square hides…thanks to the demand for gelatine, maybe that’s not so far away, writes correspondent H. Procter.
11 Leather, Its Image & Its Place In The World
- African tanneries are paving the way for more sustainable leather manufacture, writes the Sustainable Leather Foundation’s Deborah Taylor.
12 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
13 Statistics
- Preliminary South African trade statistics for August 2025.
Advertisers in this Issue
Authenticae (OFC), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (06), Mimosa (02), Rolfes Leather Division (04), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (10), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (07), Sustainable Leather Foundation (08).
They Said It
"The trade statistics do not reveal their source – that’s sacrilege. There’s no indication that the data came from SARS. It’s something I was brought up with and have always been very careful to quote the source. Other people use Trade Map or ITC or WTO, inter alia, to source trade data. Some people use their thumbs......😊😀" - Paul Theron, executive director, Apparel Manufacturers of SA (AMSA), reacting to the stats (from SARS) in S&V African Leather last week.
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
Frank, Sales Executive, Picasso Headline, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Glenn Collie, BMA, South Africa
Birthdays this week
20/10/1943: Daya Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/10/1946: Steve Bassingthwaighte, Steve Bass Agency, 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.
22/10/1954: Madan Ghëla, Ghëla Dayaram & Sons, Pietermaritzburg, 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 cc/Ezweni Shoe Components cc, 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, ?.
24/10/1956: John Bouwer, Corrida Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
24/10/????: Prenisha Dukhipersad, SAFLEC, Durban, KZN, SA.
24/10/1984: Max Schaefer, Nakara, Windhoek, Namibia.
24/10/1995: Sifisosethu Khumalo, Truworths, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
25/10/1969: Leon Buhr, Equator Accessories, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
25/10/1966: Michael Schiller, Nakara Leather Tanning & Processing, Windhoek, Namibia.
25/10/1972: Venothan Munsami, BBF Safety Group, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
25/10/????: Chrystal Erasmus, previously Imaani, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
25/10/1977: Daniel Kerdachi, Flamingo Sales, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/10/1941: Rob Morris, retired, formerly BU Technical (closed), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/10/1959: Hennie van Zyl, Ostriland, Citrusdal, W. Cape, SA.
26/10/1962: MH Klopper, Bethlehem Hides & Skin, Bethlehem, Free State, SA.
26/10/1971: Ayoob Seedat, Shoe Tech, Springs, Gauteng, SA.
26/10/1973: Grant Walker, McCullough & Bothwell, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
22/10/2017: Ben Fourie (b. 05/04/1953), J.W. Lister & Son (closed), Polokwane/Pietersburg, Limpopo, SA.
23/10/2022: Ismail Anwary (b. 15/03/1925), Anwary’s, Butha-Buthe, Lesotho.
24/10/1999: Norma Varley, Edcon, Durban, KZN, SA.
24/10/1995: Wally Zwart, Dick Whittington, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
25/10/2000: CIR 'Rex' Van Coller, (b. 12/04/1925), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/10/2005: Braam Keyser (b. 05/09/1957), Feltex Automotive Leathers (closed), Ladysmith, KZN, SA.
26/10/2015: Richard Reddiar (b. 29/03/1943), Premier Safety Footwear (closed), 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
Froggie Fashions [Michelle Footwear (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 ¥ |
| 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 |
| 20/09/2025 |
R20.36 |
R23.38 |
R17.33 |
R 2.43 |
| 27/09/2025 |
R20.30 |
R23.23 |
R17.34 |
R 2.43 |
| 04/10/2025 |
R20.21 |
R23.20 |
R17.22 |
R 2.41 |
| 11/10/2025 |
R20.26 |
R23.32 |
R17.46 |
R 2.44 |
| 20/10/2025 |
R20.19 |
R23.22 |
R17.31 |
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 |
| 20/09/2025 |
16.63 |
19.10 |
14.16 |
1.99 |
| 27/09/2025 |
15.68 |
17.94 |
13.40 |
1.87 |
| 04/10/2025 |
16.58 |
19.03 |
14.12 |
1.98 |
| 11/10/2025 |
16.41 |
18.89 |
14.14 |
1.98 |
| 20/10/2025 |
16.57 |
19.06 |
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 |
| 20/09/2025 |
2082.09 |
2388.75 |
1717.02 |
101.85 |
| 27/09/2025 |
2065.29 |
2361.70 |
1717.02 |
101.40 |
| 04/10/2025 |
2072.36 |
2375.84 |
1717.02 |
102.32 |
| 11/10/2025 |
2046.37 |
2350.20 |
1717.02 |
102.44 |
| 20/10/2025 |
Not available this morning |
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 |
| 20/09/2025 |
27.79 |
32.85 |
23.62 |
1.35 |
| 27/09/2025 |
27.79 |
31.82 |
23.77 |
1.36 |
| 04/10/2025 |
27.90 |
31.98 |
23.77 |
1.37 |
| 11/10/2025 |
26.22 |
30.10 |
22.66 |
1.31 |
| 20/10/2025 |
26.44 |
30.37 |
22.65 |
1.30 |
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 |
| 20/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.28 |
ZIG 35.99 |
ZIG 26.56 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 27/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.03 |
ZIG 35.48 |
ZIG 26.57 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 04/10/2025 |
ZIG 31.23 |
ZIG 35.81 |
ZIG 26.65 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 11/10/2025 |
ZIG 30.91 |
ZIG 35.55 |
ZIG 26.71 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 20/10/2025 |
ZIG 31.06 |
ZIG 35.76 |
ZIG 26.61 |
ZIG 0.65 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (17 October 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 0.61% to R2.318/kg from R2.332/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.53% lower than the average price a month ago and was 17.3% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.75. 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:
International Exhibition & Conference Group, Brighton, Australia. Exhibition organiser (Footwear & Leather Show Australia, Workplace Health & Safety Show).
IFEMA, Madrid, Spain. Exhibition organiser (MOMAD).
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
The Cross Trainer to be liquidated: ‘Sad but we move on,’ say suppliers
Paris Belts management form own company
Grit Procurement in business rescue
First Teams chat on all matters relating to footwear overruns time in an absorbing presentation
Introduction to PVC course
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.43, October 21 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Retail
- Botswana
-- 'Heading in the right direction'
-Namibia
-- Pandemic has caused 'record low'
- South Africa
-- 'We've lost a whole year'
-- Unemployment the problem
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.42, Oct 19, 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 27 October, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 24 October.
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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