eTHEKWENI HIGHLIGHTS
events and achievements of the eThekwini Footwear and Leather Cluster (EFLC)
Discover eThekwini Footwear and Leather Cluster’s accomplishments, from trade fairs to virtual platforms during the pandemic, in promoting and supporting the industry.
eThekwini Highlights
INTRA-AFRICA TRADE FAIR (IATF)
SAFLEC/EFLC exhibited at the Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF) from 15-21 November 2021.
The IATF was promoted by Afreximbank in collaboration with African union, AfCFTA Secretariat and hosted by The Republic of South Africa province of KwaZulu Natal. SAFLEC/EFLC exhibited within the DTIC pavilion. The stand was fully funded by the DTIC through a SAFLEC application and shared for exhibition on a collaboration basis with 6 EFLC companies from the eThekwini region were afforded the opportunity to exhibit within the SAFLEC stand.
There were +- 800 exhibitors from across Africa from all sectors.
DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY & COMPETITION VISITS SAFLEC
During her visit to Protea Leather, Neptun Boot, Planet Events and Bata; Deputy Minister Gina called for a one-on-one meeting with SAFLEC. The Minister said she was proud of the efforts that SAFLEC was making to continue to empower and promote the industry. Keeping to her word, she and her team flew down to meet with SAFLEC on the 8th of May 2021. At this meeting, Mabotho designs spoke of her journey with SAFLEC and the assistance that was provided to her to grow her brand through training and market access, now exporting to the USA and the UK. SAFLEC’s work and promotion activities were presented and received high commendation. The Minister pledged her assistance to help SAFLEC and Industry in whatever way she could. Sticking to her commitment the movement of the virtual promotional funding mechanism that SAFLEC presented to the DTIC in June of last year, gained immediate momentum.
ARSUTORIA WORKSHOP
EFLC hosted the first physical ARSUTORIA workshop this May since 2019. The event was held from 23-27 May at Coastlands Musgrave. Executive director, Nerisha Jairaj, 7 to 8 years ago personally negotiated for one-week workshops to be held for industry with ARSUTORIA. Over the past two years during lockdown, SAFLEC and EFLC negotiated continuance of the course online with Arsutoria. Stefano Migliavacca of Edizoni ARSUTORIA is an expert who attends trade shows around the world and has guided on where to be, why and when and with what. This year, Orietta Pelizzari brought the trend and marketing education to our 28 manufacturers who revelled in the education.
SOUTH AFRICAN FASHION WEEK
Nerisha Jairaj, executive director of SAFLEC, has been working with Lucilla Booysen, director of SAFW, for over 2 years now to find synergy between SAFW with footwear and leather manufacturers. A collaboration agreement was reached and SAFW will be matching designers to manufacturers. This collaboration is about allowing the manufacturer to platform at SAFW prestigious event. EFLC will be funded 3 companies for this collaboration. Their collaboration was be featured in SA Fashion Week show. Manufacturers have received great exposure.
ALL FASHION SOURCING
EFLC is funded the cost of 10 companies to exhibit at the All-Fashion Sourcing Hybrid event that took place 19-21 October. Exhibitors had a physical pop -up booth as well as a virtual page that is linked via a QR Code created by Messe Frankfurt. Nerisha Jairaj, executive director of SAFLEC, represented EFLC as a panelist in a round table discussion at this event. The discussion revolved around localization and empowering local manufacturers to supply local retail. Part of the panel was Michael Lawrence head of the South African Retailers Association and Mahendra Shunmoogam project manager of the CTLF masterplan in the minister of trade and industry’s office.
VIRTUAL PLATFORM
Discover eThekwini Footwear and Leather Cluster’s accomplishments, from trade fairs to virtual platforms during the pandemic, in promoting and supporting the industry.
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS 2022
EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE WEBINAR
On 26th January 2022 EFLC hosted an Export Credit Insurance Webinar facilitated by Paul Mojalefa from ECIC. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management Sciences as well as an Honors Degree in Econometrics from the University of Pretoria. As a deal originator at ECIC, he has 19 years’ experience in the areas of Financial Modelling, Project Finance, Public Private Partnerships, Debt Capital Markets, Telecoms Finance and ECAs.
This webinar formed a vital move for ECIC as the entity previously did not offer export credit insurance for Footwear and Leather members. However, SAFLEC the Export Council has been debating this with both ECIC and Government for a few years now. It was very welcomed that in June 2021 they were mandated by Government to include footwear and leather as well as SMMEs in the offerings. They are also now offering short term contracts which was not available in the past.
Paul covered what is required to get covered by ECIC and how to go about insuring an export order.
REVISED CTFLGP GUIDELINES WEBINAR
EFLC hosted a Revised CTFLGP Guidelines Webinar on 09th February 2022. The webinar was hosted by Dr Jaywant Irkhede from the DTIC. It drew just over 30 registrants. The CTFLGP Guidelines were launched on 12th January 2022 and IDC is the administrator.
The objectives are Localization and import replacement, Production output increases and Increase in exports.
The Proposed New Programmes are:
- Competitiveness Improvements
- Expansionary Working Capital
- Start-up Funding
- Cluster Funding
MANAGEMENT WEBINAR
EFLC hosted a Management Webinar on 17th February 2022. The Intent was to empower leadership in the new environment that we all now work in that calls for human management as they are the assets that run a business.
The webinar was facilitated by Shaldene Lisa Moore. Shaldene has been an education facilitator for 17 years and qualified through Cambridge University.
PRODUCTIVITY SA KAIZEN PRINCIPLES
EFLC hosted a Productivity SA Production Awareness and Lean Principles Webinar on 15th March 2022. The webinar was facilitated by Mr Mninawa a senior productivity advisor at Productivity.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTWEAR FOUNDATIONAL DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE COURSE
EFLC has acquired the services of a designer, Russell Addinall, for a range development design course. Russell commenced working in the footwear industry in 1981 and has worked in product development and design.
CTFLGP EXPORT FUNDING WEBINAR
EFLC hosted a CTFLGP Export Funding Webinar on 05th April 2022. The webinar was facilitated by Dr Jaywant Irkhede of the dtic.
This webinar focused on the export funding that companies could apply for and the relaxation of the BEE requirement when applying for funding through the CTFLGP.
ECIC EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE WEBINAR
EFLC hosted an ECIC EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE Webinar on 11th May 2022. The webinar was facilitated by Dr Mbiya Baudouin a deal originator at ECIC. Dr Mbiya Baudouin clearly explained ECIC offerings, risk cover, countries covered and stressed that ECIC now cover short term deals and non-capital goods.
EXPORTING INTO AFRICA WEBINAR FOR EMERGING AND SMALL COMPANIES
EFLC hosted an exporting into Africa webinar for emerging and small companies on 22nd June 2022. The webinar was facilitated by Vicky Ghoorun.TRAINING & WORKSHOPS 2021
INVESTMENT AGENCIES INFORMATIVE WEBINAR
On 23rd November EFLC hosted an Investment Agencies Informative Webinar. The webinar was in collaboration with TIKZN, Wesgro and ECDC. Presenters included Claude Moodley Executive Manager: Export Development and Promotion at TIKZN, Erica Joubert Head of Export Promotion and Zaheer Hendricks who’s focus is on investment promotion in the manufacturing sector and Phakamisa George head of Trade Promotion at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).
EXPORT COURSE PART 3 OF 3
EFLC will be hosted Part 3 of a 3-Part Export course titled, It’s All About Rebates! On 10th November 2021. This was facilitated by expert Vicky Ghoorun. The aim of the webinar was to explain to members the difference between rebates and drawbacks and which they need to be registered for, and timelines and documentation for rebates and drawbacks.
2-PART MAREKTING WEBINAR
EFLC hosted a 2 -Part Marketing webinar 2-3 November facilitated by Shaldene Lisa Moore education facilitator for 17 years qualified through Cambridge University.
Shaldene provided attendees with a lot of information regarding the definition of marketing as well as the types and pillars. She provided examples and explained how the concepts can be applied by manufacturers.
ARSUTORIA WEBINARS
In August 2021 EFLC hosted 2 ARSUTORIA Fall/Winter 22/23, one-week webinars one for footwear and the other for handbag & leather goods. The webinars were held over the first 2 weeks of August.
EXPORT COURSE PART 2
EFLC will be hosted Part 2 of a 3-Part Export course focusing on exporting into Africa. Part 2: Export Logistics into Africa Challenges, Opportunities and Compliances on 13th October 2021. This was facilitated by expert Vicky Ghoorun. Industry moves a lot of products over the border and this webinar covered the challenges, costs involved in standing time, corruption which causes delays assisting manufacturers to better plan their production timeously and compliances.
EXPORT COURSE PART 1
EFLC has hosted Part 1 of a 3-Part Export course focusing on exporting into Africa. Part 1: SADC Africa via Road Export Webinar was held on 28th September 2021 with an attendance of 30 companies. Industry moves a lot of products over the boarder and this webinar covered the challenges, costs involved in standing time and corruption which causes delays assisting manufacturers to better plan their production timeously as well as how to register for a SADAC certificate for compliance, payment methods and insurance.
EUROPE PANEL DISCUSSION
EFLC hosted a Europe Panel Discussion on 11th August 2021 with esteemed panelists Orietta Pelizzari (ARSUTORIA), Claudia Frans (Messe Frankfurt) and Stefano Miglivaca (Edizoni- ARSUTORIA).
THE NEW WORLD FOR ALL LEATHER GOODS
This webinar was held on 4th August 2021 and facilitated by Kim Isaacsohn of the Carriage Company.