ECONOMIC development minister, Ebrahim Patel, said the department has made a proposal to global clothing retailer H&M to consider buying goods from local suppliers. Patel added the move would help ‘atone’ as part of reorienting the company’s ‘worldview of Africa’.
In January an advertisement by the international clothing company showing a black child in a green hoodie with the words “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” on it, caused widespread backlash on social media. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) protested outside several H&M stores, including Gateway.
The controversial hoodie was later withdrawn by the company.
The Minister said this in a media briefing ahead of tabling the department’s budget vote speech in the National Assembly on Thursday.
“Last year, H&M, the world’s second largest clothing retailer, marketed a sweatshirt with offensive language. When we engaged H&M in the weeks that followed, we noted that they imported everything in store.
“Following their apology and as part of reorienting the H&M worldview of Africa, we have proposed that they atone very practically by sourcing goods from South Africa.”
The Minister said the global clothing retailer has agreed to send a procurement team to South Africa “within the next few weeks” to visit potential local suppliers.
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