Metro in talks about a fashion forum
Interested in the fashion industry? Attend the stakeholders’ workshop on September 2, in the Boksburg Civic Centre Hall, from 10am to 3pm.
The metro, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, is on a drive to establish the Gauteng Fashion Forum for Ekurhuleni.
Interested role players in the fashion industry (such as clothing, design, seamstresses, retail, footwear, leather and modelling) are invited to attend the stakeholders’ workshop on September 2, in the Boksburg Civic Centre Hall, from 10am to 3pm.
“The Gauteng Fashion Council (GFC) is a provincial industry body which deals with clothing, textile leather and footwear (CTLF) in province,” said metro spokesman Themba Gadebe.
“Funded by the provincial government, it will roll out projects within the CTLF sector in Gauteng and all municipalities in the region.
“Representatives from municipalities and province will make up the executive committee.
“The metro’s representative is Hannelie Swart, from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.”
Gadebe also said the interim directors are designers who are well established within the fashion industry:
- Anthony Malatsi – owner of the Mzansi Designers brand;
- Nandipha Mangaliso – owner of the Sun Goddess brand;
- Bontlefeela Mogoye – fashion designer;
- JJ Schoeman – owner of the JJ Schoeman brand;
- David Tlale – owner of the David Tlale brand.
“Each will liaise with one municipality in terms of coordinating the CTLF industry in Gauteng,” explained Gadebe.
“Ekurhuleni will work with David Tlale, who launched his brand in 2013, winning the Elle New Talent in South Africa award. He has also been recognised as the Best Designer, by the Sunday Times.
“The aim of the stakeholders meeting is to introduce the GFC to industry players in Ekurhuleni and to select a fashion industry role player to form part of the GFC executive committee.
“In addition, this will assist in developing the metro and GFC database, as well as establishing the Ekurhuleni Fashion Forum.
“Establishing the forum will assist in having contact with local business in Ekurhuleni, as well as communicating fashion programmes and projects to industry stakeholders.
“This will go a long way in the metro being able to measure the impact and sustainability of such a forum, by identifying new and existing small, medium and large businesses within this industry.
“Skills and industry gaps will also be identified and the metro will then be in a position to create skills development programmes.”
Programmes planned for the future will focus on entrepreneurs who haven’t yet established a business, but have talent.
- The venture creation programmes and creative skills programmes will assist in, for instance, designing, technical skills improvement and business models.
- Assistance will be given with improving products and designs, according to the changing needs of the industry, and in business management and related necessary skills development techniques.
As an outcome of the above, the forum will assist designers to grow their brands locally and internationally and assist with local and exports markets (for example, with government and other entities funding these type of initiatives).
You can register to be a part of the stakeholder engagement on September 2 by contacting Busi Simelane on 011 999 8334, or sending an email to hannelie.swart@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
You can also register on the day, from 9am to 10am.
For more information contact Hannelie Swart on 083 469 5470.
