S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 29, July 20 2026

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Eddels NOT closing, and NOT moving

Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA - Late last week, rumours spread that Eddels had closed and/or was relocating.
     Richard Starmer, one of the senior managers on site, today sent us this clarification:
     Eddels Shoes has not closed and it is business as usual. We are still actively taking orders to add to those currently on hand. All valid orders will be executed and honoured.
     The factory in Johannesburg you referred to was a going concern until 2023 when it was closed down and the plant was relocated to Pietermaritzburg. This plant is now going to be resurrected in Johannesburg.
     This factory will have soling and insole requirements as it doesn’t have the capacity to produce these themselves. These will be made at Eddels Pietermaritzburg along with Eddels’ Pietermaritzburg’s requirements.
     There have been meetings held between Eddels Senior Management and the two unions regarding the excessive short time being experienced during June. This was the result of a poor order book stemming from the market conditions being experienced along with the change of season. To date none of the proposals put forward to the Unions have been accepted. Further meetings will be held soon to continue these discussions.
     So to reiterate it is business as usual here at Eddels Shoes PMB and it is not being relocated to JNB.

Wage negotiations

Tanning still to settle

Durban, KZN, SA - The Tanning Sector wage negotiations have not yet been finalised, National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA general secretary Ilhaam Ryneveld confirmed yesterday.
     The General Goods & Handbags and Footwear Sectors have both finalised their negotiations.

Results

Italian exports down, domestic sales up

Milan, Italy - Italian footwear exports for January-March 2026 dropped 1.6% by value, to €3 billion, and 3.6% by pairs, compared to the same period in 2025, according to the manufacturers’ association, Assocalzaturifici. Domestic sales were up 1.7% to €1.28 billion and 2.1% by pairs, “driven in particular by women’s shoes and trainers”. Trainers, with sports footwear, accounted for 41% of total spending.

Notices

Safety footwear manufacturers coordinate submission on public procurement

By Zamani Oliphant, SAFLIA Durban, KZN, SA - The Safety Footwear Working Group recently collaborated on a submission addressing the Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026, published in terms of section 63(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2024 (Act No. 28 of 2024), in Government Gazette No. 54528 of 16 April 2026.
     The submission was jointly developed by representatives from Arena Trims, Fred Footwear, Neptun Boots, Bata South Africa, Palm Footwear, NDSS and BBF Safety, under the leadership and coordination of SAFLIA.
     This marks the first collaboration of its kind among the participating safety footwear manufacturers on a policy matter directly affecting the sector. It reflects the central purpose of the Working Group: to provide a coordinated platform through which manufacturers can identify common challenges, develop industry positions and engage constructively on regulatory and policy matters affecting the safety footwear value chain.
     We extend our appreciation to the dtic F&L Sector desk, particularly Dr Makube, Acting Deputy Director-General, and his team, for their support and guidance throughout this process.

E-Commerce opportunity

By Zamani Oliphant, SAFLIA Durban, KZN, SA - E-Commerce Live will take place on 03 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre. It is a one-day event focused on the broader online retail and e-commerce ecosystem, bringing together retailers, online marketplaces, manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, payment providers, digital marketers and technology companies.
     The programme will include conference sessions and workshops covering retail strategy, manufacturing, logistics and fulfilment, payments, marketing, importing and exporting, marketplace access, and both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business e-commerce.
     This opportunity is particularly important to the industry as it supports the digitalisation and diversification objectives of the dtic’s industrial policy. Digitalisation and market diversification are also key focus areas of the R-CTFL Masterplan Footwear Working Group, involving the dtic, SAFLEC and SAFLIA.
     Through the partnership, manufacturers will be able to access complimentary entry to the event. Please direct interested companies to contact Noreen at noreen@saflia.co.za for further information.
     This will allow us to engage directly with interested industry participants while also raising awareness of the initiatives and partnerships being undertaken.

Education

PVC course delayed to August

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Due to the July school holidays, unexpected illnesses and a few unforeseen scheduling challenges, the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) has rescheduled its Introduction to PVC course to 20–21 August 2026. The course is held at the Sasol Polymer Technology Centre in Modderfontein over 2 informative and engaging days, where leading industry experts will provide practical insights into PVC materials, processing, recycling, applications, sustainability and the latest innovations shaping the industry.
     To learn more, go to http://www.savinyls.co.za/

They Said It

“Business is extremely difficult at this time due to multiple problems including forex issues (bank has done 0 payments for us this year, all transactions are going through informal channels at almost 3x the bank rate). Massive price increases across the board with prices more than doubling in many cases, people focus on food, fuel and medicines before considering other needs. We are not sure if we can continue the business if things go on like this for much longer. The situation is extremely discouraging and no end in sight.” - Iqbal Hajat, Footwear Centre, Blantyre, Malawi.

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

21/07/1961: Klaus Manock, Manock Naturals, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/07/1965: Gavin Cooke, Rebel Safetygear, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/07/1948: Roy Nell, Roy Nell Agencies, Durban, KZN, SA.
22/07/1960: Holger Stutz, Paul Moeller & Co, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
23/07/1940: Errol Schilder, retired, formerly Barker Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
23/07/1954: Jerome Ingenhoes, retired, formerly Exotan, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
23/07/1956: Rob Peschel, emigrated, formerly Outeniqua Tanning [closed], George, W. Cape, SA.
23/07/????: Reshma Govender, Evolution Engineering cc/Ezweni Shoe Components cc, Durban, KZN, SA.
24/07/1982: Thembi Mazibuko-Kahimbaara, formerly Leather Zulu [closed], Randburg, Gauteng, SA.
25/07/1949: Leslie D'Unienville, retired, formerly agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/07/1952: Antoine Lailvaux, agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/07/1948: GH Moosa, Riley Trading, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
25/07/1948: Duncan Naidoo, Lugogo, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
25/07/1974: Morné Gerber, The Little Slipper Company, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
26/07/1958: Mahomed Shaikh, River Queen, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/07/1977: Craig Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/07/1982: Jameel Cassim, Fashion & Shoe Scene, Gauteng, SA.

In memoriam this week

20/07/????: Ivy Cunningham (b. 16/10/1919), In Step Shoes [closed], Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
22/07/1993: Paul Hoch, Edendale Tannery [closed], Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
22/07/1993: Chagan Ratanje, RK Footwear, Harare, Zimbabwe.
22/07/2008: Derek Brown (b. 13/01/1948), Derek Brown Agencies, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/07/2021: Sagran Naick (b. 08/01/1965), commission agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
25/07/2004: Jules Fisher (b. 19/07/1931), Fashionette Footwear [closed], Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/07/2019: Cassim Shaikh (b. 30/09/1942), Hopewell Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/07/2022: Peter Howard (b. 01/06/1947), left the industry, formerly King Tanning Company [closed], King William’s Town, Pelts Products, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA, and others.

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.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)

Source: https://www.rbm.mw/

4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)

Source: https://www.boz.zm/

5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)

Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (16 July 2026) - The current average hide price increased by 0.25% to R2.329/kg from R2.323/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.47% higher than the average price a month ago and was 5.7% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 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. - Jade Smith, 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:

Johann Nel Designs, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Leather furniture manufacturer.
Jola Boutique, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Apparel retailer.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Supreme Court of Appeal rules authentic designer goods cannot be counterfeit

Tariffs drive US clothing imports from China to 22-year low in May

SGS to host textile chemical management webinar

Death notice: David Maisey, former Jordan Shoes Eastern Cape agent

In case you missed it!: The July issue of S&V African Leather Magazine

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.29, July 21 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

The aftermath: Back to work for those who can, time to assist those who can't

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.29, July 19 2021

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Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: Monday 27 July, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 24 July 2026.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

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