PROUDLY South African is encouraging local purchases this festive season to counter the R1.1-trillion per annum currently spent on imports.
‘The lack of demand for South African goods, and our reliance on imported items, is dragging down local manufacturing,’ said Chief Executive of Proudly South African, Eustace Mashimbye.
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‘Purchasing locally-made clothing would help the local textile and clothing industries, in which about six people a day lose their jobs.’
He said the festive season’s direct spending could also provide a much-needed boost for the hotel, restaurant, and recreational sectors, where income had plunged by 99.9%.
Traditionally, consumers mostly spend between November and January.
‘The drivers of this activity are bonuses and Black Friday sales campaigns which have now been extended from once-off events to cover a month or more of discounted sales,’ he said.
‘Previous statistics (2018) show that 66% of all local shoppers who take advantage of Black Friday sales spend at least R1 600 each. Billions of rands are spent during this period.’
He urged bargain-hunters to check ‘made-in’ labels on sale items to ensure they’re locally manufactured.
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