Sponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC). Durban, KZN, SA – This year’s SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) AGM – the 22nd – was a much smaller occasion than in previous years, an acknowledgement of a reduced budget. It was, however, quite upbeat.     ...more

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has partnered with the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC) and the Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to research illicit and illegal trade in counterfeit footwear and leather goods with a view to reducing them and bring relie ...more

With little fanfare, SAFLIA, the DTIC and the unions have managed to persuade the SA Government to keep most footwear and leather goods tariff lines out of the soon-to-be-implemented African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which will see most products traded duty free between African countries.So far.AfCFTA’s aim is to create ...more

Safety footwear has so far survived the pandemic relatively unscathed - no life support from government, and apparently no casualties. ...more

More than any other footwear category in South Africa, safety footwear has so far survived the pandemic relatively unscathed - no life support from government, and apparently no casualties. It helped that its status as part of PPE, and therefore an essential service, allowed it to operate, albeit on a reduced scale, during the strictest p ...more

Rayton, Gauteng, SA - The hunting and taxidermy sectors are awaiting the easing of restrictions on the transport of trophies and game skins across provincial boundaries, and on a broader definition of allowed hunting, before they can resume commercially viable operations. "There are so many apparent contradictions in the rules," ...more

As of Monday, there has been no further clarification of what constitutes 'winter footwear' in terms of lockdown regulations. Last week saw a flurry of communication between the various associations and organisations in the leather value chain seeking to define categories of footwear which will be acceptable to the National Coronavirus Co ...more

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – Dr Jaywant Irkhede, Director: Leather & Footwear at the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), last week forwarded this announcement. Dr Irkhede's contact details are +27 (0)66 301 2044, jirkhede@thedti.gov.za.COVID-19 GUARANTEED LOAN SCHEME FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISESAs announ ...more

Cape Town, W Cape, SA – Following the announcement that the manufacture and retail of 'winter clothing' will be allowed from May 1, a Government Gazette spelling out the conditions is expected to be published this week.       "We're busy writing a lot of motivations and product lists wh ...more

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (April 08, 2020) – Dr Jaywant Irkhede, Director: Leather & Footwear at the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), last week forwarded more announcements:Due to the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to curb the spread of COVID-19, the National Treasury in support of the D ...more

7-point plan to grow local manufacturing<br>A final version of the DTI-sponsored 'R-CTFL Value Chain Master Plan to 2030' is nearing completion, according to Dr Jaywant Irkhede, director: leather & footwear at the DTI. Drawn up by Dr Justin Barnes of B&M Analysts for the DTI, the objectives are to, "by 2030, grow R-CTFL ...more