S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.49, December 8 2025
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Retail Trading
E. Cape initiation boosts formal sales
Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA – Demand in June and November this year, especially for formal wear, by newly initiated ‘amakrwala’ young Xhosa men, has been very good, Saijel Mitha of Bad Street Boyz said on Saturday. “It’s driven a lot of lay-by and cash business,” he said. “We’ve done well with Navada suits and Crockett & Jones, Barker and John Drake shoes.”
Children’s clothing and footwear sales have picked up for Christmas.
In branded casual footwear, he said Puma, Reebok, Asics and Under Armour are selling well.
‘We don’t like Black Friday, but…’
Lenasia, Gauteng, SA – December trading has started slowly, in large part because of Black Friday over the last weekend of November, but also because most people are still working, Sam Mayet of Barrenger’s Clothing & Shoes said on Saturday.
“We don’t actually like Black Friday, but we have to do it,” he said, “and this year it went well. We marked down our entire stock 30%.
“Like every other year, the last 2 weeks of December will be good.”
‘If you have stock, you’ll do the business’
Pinetown, KZN, SA – Black Friday “wasn’t as powerful as expected”, Nilen Vanmali of American Outfitters said on Saturday. “For so many retailers, it’s now Black November,” he said. “We marked down all stock 10%, but only for the last 3 days of November. That worked well in the past, but not as well this year.”
He said the fact that the weekend fell 3 days after most people’s paydays also affected sales “because they had that time to spend on other things”.
He said he expected a slow start to December, followed by a last-minute rush. “If you have the stock, you’ll do the business,” he said.
Fairs
Australian fair attendance up 8%
Melbourne, Australia – According to a press release, Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne and China Clothing Textile Accessories Expo, held from 18 to 20 November, attracted over 5 000 visitors, 8% up on 2024. Over 800 exhibitors from 16 countries showed apparel, textiles, accessories, footwear, homewares and supply chain services.
In case you missed it!
The latest issue of S&V Protect Magazine
S&V PROTECT MAGAZINE VOL19 NO4 FOURTH QUARTER 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- Updated safety footwear standards: Awaiting response from NRCS.
- The Hong Kong residential tower fire: Spotlight will fall on bamboo scaffolding.
- A+A 2025: Product launches were aimed at the European market, but new technology – and fashion – will slowly make their way to Africa.
- Highlights from A+A.
- Comments from SA visitors.
11 OHS in Focus
- What workplace PPE innovation trends are anticipated? asks Leighton Bennett, Benrisk Consulting, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
13 Fire Protection
- Competition Tribunal dismisses market division complaint in fire protection industry.
16 Sustainability
- New approach integrates scrap PU back into safety footwear.
17 Situational Awareness
- Situational awareness has become a frontline imperative for first responders, writes Reshaad Sha of Sentiv.
18 Standards
- ASTM International publishes first international pet product safety standard.
18 Innovation
- Fraunhofer: Software supports safe, controlled detonations of aerial bombs.
- Fraunhofer: Cleaning water with light – a new generation of compact and efficient water treatment systems.
- Fraunhofer: New stent with the potential to lower thrombosis risk.
19 Buyers' Guide
- What's on offer.
Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety/Maxeco (06), Claw Boot (04, 12), Kaliber (08), Palm Footwear/Terrapod (OFC), Rainbow Group (15), Rebel SafetyGear (10), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (09), SAFLEC (14).
They Said It
"In terms of the popularity of winter sports in South Africa, all sports have suffered at the hands of rugby’s unbelievable success." - Jax Snyman, The Sweat Shop, Johannesburg, 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
Deenai, Marketing Manager, Bata SA, Durban, South Africa
Heinrich, Accountant, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Zamani Oliphant, Attorney, Durban, South Africa
Birthdays this week
08/12/1970: Doug Turner, Uniek Leatherworks, Polokwane/Pietersburg, Limpopo, SA.
08/12/1972: Alan Shadbolt, Castaway Components, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/12/1978: Barbara Wessels, Fleur Avant, Stellenbosch, W. Cape, SA.
09/12/1949: Bob Ludlow, Albertina Bay, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/12/1950: Neil Tupper, retired, formerly Bata Shoes SA, Rockshoes, Tuppino Footwear, Game Discount World/Massmart, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/12/1957: Rory Anderson, Rory Anderson Agencies, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
09/12/1965: Cliff Coombe, Agent-C, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
09/12/1979: Naseem Tadia, Less Price Fashions, Nigel, Gauteng, SA.
09/12/1977: Yusuf Salie, AM Showroom/Shoe City, Marble Hall, Mpumalanga, SA.
09/12/????: Beryl Roach, Logomotif, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/12/1954: Rolf-Dieter Fuchsmann, ?, formerly DED, Ethiopia.
10/12/1965: Benson Gor Okumu, Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
11/12/1964: Hasina Lockhat, Famous Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
11/12/1965: Anwar Cassim, Catwalk Footwear Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
12/12/1937: M Kadwa, Umzinto Wholesalers, Umzinto, KZN, SA.
12/12/1949: Johan Barnard, Envirotan, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
12/12/1953: Manfred Rusch, retired, formerly Pinclip Industries (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
12/12/1956: Chandrakant Dajee, Avalon Job Buyers, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
12/12/1970: Kobus Louw, Morgan Beef/Brits Leathers, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
12/12/1980: Craig Lahee, Ritewear Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
13/12/1959: Kersie Govender, CK Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
13/12/1960: Ebrahim Sonpra, Sonpra’s Warehouse, Pietersburg/Polokwane, Limpopo, SA.
13/12/1969: Simo Simov, African Merino Trading, Ekandustria, Mpumalanga, SA.
14/12/1953: Rachmat Thomas, retired, formerly Chic Shoe Manufacturers (closed), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
14/12/1957: Paul Henshaw, Puma, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
14/12/1988: Lu Fraser, Claw Boot International, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
13/12/2023: Allan Norman (b. 15/06/1945), Sandals Ltd. (closed), Jardine Footwear (closed), NR Footwear, all Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
14/12/2016: Allan Capell, (b. 01/07/1932), Capelli (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
14/12/2016: Raman Merchant (b. 02/06/1929), Merchant’s Outfitters, Port Elizabeth, E. 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
American Outfitters [American Trouser Centre cc], Pinetown, KZN, SA.
Bad Street Boyz [Strand Street Outfitters cc], Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
Barrenger’s Clothing & Shoes cc, Lenasia, Gauteng, SA.
Fairs & events updated last week – see calendar for details
17-19/11/2026: Global Sourcing Expo Australia, Melbourne, Australia.
 
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 |
| 25/10/2025 |
R20.10 |
R23.00 |
R17.25 |
R 2.42 |
| 01/11/2025 |
R20.06 |
R22.78 |
R17.32 |
R 2.43 |
| 08/11/2025 |
R20.02 |
R22.77 |
R17.30 |
R 2.43 |
| 14/11/2025 |
R19.89 |
R22.53 |
R17.12 |
R 2.41 |
| 22/11/2025 |
R19.99 |
R22.74 |
R17.37 |
R 2.44 |
| 29/11/2025 |
R19.86 |
R22.68 |
R17.13 |
R 2.42 |
| 06/12/2025 |
R19.70 |
R22.57 |
R16.92 |
R 2.39 |
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 |
| 25/10/2025 |
16.40 |
18.77 |
14.08 |
1.97 |
| 01/11/2025 |
16.55 |
18.80 |
14.29 |
2.01 |
| 08/11/2025 |
16.60 |
18.87 |
14.34 |
2.01 |
| 14/11/2025 |
16.18 |
18.33 |
13.96 |
1.96 |
| 22/11/2025 |
15.31 |
17.41 |
13.30 |
1.87 |
| 29/11/2025 |
16.57 |
18.92 |
14.29 |
2.01 |
| 06/12/2025 |
15.43 |
17.67 |
13.25 |
1.87 |
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 |
| 25/10/2025 |
2052.20 |
2355.86 |
1717.02 |
102.09 |
| 01/11/2025 |
2046.37 |
2326.15 |
1717.02 |
102.32 |
| 08/11/2025 |
2039.47 |
2319.07 |
1717.02 |
101.85 |
| 14/11/2025 |
2058.39 |
2325.62 |
1717.02 |
103.72 |
| 22/11/2025 |
2041.06 |
2314.65 |
1717.02 |
102.54 |
| 29/11/2025 |
2048.49 |
2336.76 |
1717.02 |
103.04 |
| 06/12/2025 |
2061.93 |
2360.63 |
1717.02 |
104.35 |
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 |
| 25/10/2025 |
25.81 |
29.69 |
22.25 |
1.28 |
| 01/11/2025 |
25.62 |
29.06 |
22.17 |
1.27 |
| 08/11/2025 |
26.20 |
29.73 |
22.66 |
1.30 |
| 14/11/2025 |
26.25 |
29.67 |
22.54 |
1.31 |
| 22/11/2025 |
26.47 |
30.06 |
22.98 |
1.32 |
| 29/11/2025 |
26.53 |
30.32 |
22.94 |
1.33 |
| 06/11/2025 |
26.84 |
30.76 |
23.05 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 25/10/2025 |
ZIG 30.77 |
ZIG 35.30 |
ZIG 26.51 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 01/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.52 |
ZIG 34.69 |
ZIG 26.38 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 08/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.44 |
ZIG 34.62 |
ZIG 26.38 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 14/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.66 |
ZIG 34.62 |
ZIG 26.33 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 22/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.37 |
ZIG 34.46 |
ZIG 26.32 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 29/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.34 |
ZIG 34.66 |
ZIG 26.19 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 06/12/2025 |
ZIG 30.46 |
ZIG 34.87 |
ZIG 26.13 |
ZIG 0.64 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (05 Decembar 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 0.32% to R2.328/kg from R2.336/kg a week ago. The current price is 1.22% higher 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: R2.89. 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:
Incomati Warehousing & Distribution, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA. Footwear manufacturer.
Indian Summer, Franschhoek, W. Cape, SA. Furniture manufacturer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Truworths: Prepare for the best
Asmall’s: Upbeat, so far
SAFLEC’s perspective: Elevating SA footwear and handbags in a digital world
Beier Group: ‘Transformation through skills development and manufacturing excellence’
Kushy and The Shoedog: The next edition
In case you missed it! : The latest issue of S&V Protect Magazine
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.50, December 09 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Business
- South Africa
-- Some encouraging signs
-- Using technology to attract older consumers
-- Expecting a subdued December
Fashion
- FLIC: Handbags, belts & glove trends forecast for autumn/winter 2021 & spring/summer 2021
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.49, Dec 7, 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 15 December, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 12 December.
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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