From the Desk of Executive
Director, Nerisha Jairaj
Building a Stronger Future Through Action, Access, and Aspiration
As we move into the second quarter of the year, our focus sharpens. It’s no longer about setting the tone for 2025—it’s about delivering results, measuring impact, and pushing boundaries.
This month, we are reminded that transformation doesn’t wait. Our industry must continuously adapt, elevate, and engage to remain competitive. This means strengthening local capabilities, enhancing our product stories, and connecting with international markets in new, bold ways.
Our programs are not just events—they are strategic touchpoints for skills development, retail readiness, market expansion, and global alignment. From upskilling workshops to outward missions and exhibitions, everything we do is built around unlocking opportunity and advancing the South African footwear and leather value chain.
Let’s remain relentless in our ambition and united in our purpose. Together, we’re not only imagining a more competitive South African industry—we are building it, step by step.
Best regards,
Nerisha Jairaj Executive Director, SAFLEC
April Highlights: From Factory Floors to International Forums
3D Handbag Design Course – Phase 2 with Russell Addinall
8–10 April 2025 | Durban
Our second phase of the 3D handbag design course brought together 10 innovative companies eager to deepen their expertise in digital product creation. This hands-on training session focused on advanced 3D visualization techniques, essential for enhancing speed-to-market and improving design accuracy. The energy was electric, with strong collaboration and visionary thinking throughout.
EFLC Retailer Roadshow
April 2025 | Durban & Surrounds
In a landmark initiative under the EFLC program, we launched our Retailer Roadshow. Local retailers engaged directly with manufacturers, visiting factory floors and seeing first-hand the innovation and quality within our cluster. The response was powerful: real-time feedback, new retail partnerships, and a stronger bridge between production and consumer demand. It’s a step toward rebuilding confidence in Made in South Africa products—one handshake at a time.
Upcoming Global Opportunities & Strategic Events
Upcoming International Tradeshows
- FSNYE – New York (June) – Applications closed | approved with dtic
- Korea Import Fair (July) – Applications closed | Supported by dtic AIR
- Atlanta Shoe Market (August) – Applications closed | With dtic
- Autumn Fair, Birmingham (September) – Applications closed | With dtic
- Leather World, Paris (September) – Application closed
- Fashion World Tokyo (October) – Applications closed
These platforms are essential in taking our brands global. If you didn’t apply this round, gear up for upcoming windows—we’re going places, and we want you with us.
Training & Upskilling Ahead
Arsutoria Design & Production Workshop
- 05–09 May 2025 – Durban
- 12–13 May 2025 – Cape Town
This prestigious Italian-led workshop focuses on merging international design expertise with local production realities. Ideal for those looking to elevate quality, design execution, and export-readiness.
Handbag Course – Phase 3 (Coming Soon)
We are finalizing plans for a third instalment with Russell Addinall. Stay tuned—it’s going to be transformative.
WORLD NEWS: Germany Retail:
Hope rests on the ability of retailers to weather gloomy circumstances
In a landscape where e-commerce is in a league of its own, footwear retailers continue to struggle to regain sales growth, even against the backdrop of overall retail performance. And low inflation in the sector is actually indicative of low demand, not consumer confidence. Indeed, the data shows that consumers remain far more pessimistic than retailers, and a renewed rise in the propensity to save is clouding the overall picture. Given the volatile global trading environment, hope rests on the ability of retailers to weather these gloomy conditions
Source: World Footwear News
Are You Ready to Grow?
If you’re not a SAFLEC member—you’re missing out.
Join SAFLEC and unlock pathways to:
- Global markets and tradeshows
- Targeted funding opportunities
- National and international branding support
- Industry-led training programs
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our social media is making waves—with over 160,000 likes on our last post! We’re driving South African stories across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
To be featured, send us content—videos, updates, photos. The more we amplify each other, the further our footprint reaches.