Table of Content

• Hello New York! “Made In SA” Steps Onto The Global Stage
• Stronger Together: Celebrating Progress, Partnership & Industry Excellence
• Africa is Open for Business — And Our Sector Must Be Part of It
• Fresh Talent. Fresh Ranges. A More Competitive Industry
• Wenzhou International Machinery & Components Exhibition
• Looking Ahead
• Exciting News
• Join The Movement: Don’t Miss Out
• Social Media

Table of Content

• SEDFA Webinar Empowers Brands Through Visual Storytelling
• Micro Export Program Empowers 10 South African Businesses for Global Growth
• Stepping into the Future: 3D Footwear Design Training Empowers Local Brands
• Collaborating for Market Insight: SAFLEC, SACTWU, and the German Chamber Explore Entry into Germany
• Trade Shows – October Highlights
• Join The Movement: Don’t Miss Out
• Calendar & Upcoming Events
• Social Media

Hello New York! “Made In SA” Steps Onto The Global Stage

Big market. Big potential. Bigger ambitions. August marked an exciting first for SAFLEC as 10 emerging South African companies made their debut at NY NOW Summer 2026, showcasing proudly South African products in the United States — one of the largest and most influential consumer markets in the world.

For South African exporters, the US is not unfamiliar territory, but it remains a market of enormous opportunity. South Africa’s trade relationship with the United States, including preferential access historically provided through AGOA, has helped create an important platform for trade. While we await greater clarity on certain aspects affecting this framework, continued market development and building strong commercial relationships remain critical.

NY NOW was therefore about much more than exhibiting. It was about getting our products in front of US buyers, retailers and distributors, understanding what drives purchasing decisions and positioning South African brands to compete for a greater share of this significant market. Our South African identity proved to be an asset.

Authenticity, craftsmanship, quality and distinctive African design helped our exporters stand out, creating encouraging conversations and valuable buyer connections. Companies also gained first-hand intelligence on US trends, pricing, presentation and commercial expectations — knowledge that is essential when competing internationally.

As SAFLEC’s first participation at NY NOW, the show represents another important step in strengthening our footprint in the United States and creating more routes to market for South African manufacturers and brands.

The exhibition may be over, but the real work now begins following up, building buyer relationships and turning interest into orders.

The US opportunity is significant — and South African footwear and leather products deserve their place in it.

Stronger Together: Celebrating Progress, Partnership & Industry Excellence

The South African footwear and leather industry came together on 13 August 2026 for the SAFLEC AGM and EFLC Networking Event — an evening that combined reflection, recognition and an exciting look at what lies ahead.

The AGM brought together members, Board members, government, labour, partners and industry stakeholders to reflect on the year’s progress and the work being driven through SAFLEC and EFLC. From opening international markets and developing exporters to connecting businesses with buyers and building strategic partnerships, the message was clear: our industry is moving forward, and collaboration remains at the heart of that progress.

The evening then moved from business to celebration as SAFLEC Chairman Tavonga Gonyora opened the EFLC Networking Event, followed by SAFLEC Executive Director Nerisha Jairaj, who shared the exciting work underway to strengthen, grow and create new opportunities for the sector. We were also honoured to welcome Cllr Thembubuhle Ntuli, eThekwini ECOD Chairperson, as Guest of Honour.

A highlight of the evening was recognising those helping to move our industry forward. Stakeholder Appreciation Awards were presented to eThekwini Municipality, the International Labour Organization (ILO), Productivity SA, the dtic and Durban University of Technology (DUT) for their continued commitment to the sector.

Industry excellence also took centre stage, with Sterling Achievement Awards presented to Neptun Boot, BBF Safety Group, BATA SA, Palm Footwear Manufacturers, Hopewell Footwear, Jim Green Footwear, ONEOFEACH, Cape Cobra and CHIMPEL — businesses demonstrating the resilience, innovation and potential of South African footwear and leather.

The celebrations continued with FROGGIE receiving the Best Takealot Incubator Online Performance Award, highlighting the growing opportunities that e-commerce is creating for local brands.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments saw the dtic, SAFLIA and SAFLEC teams standing together — a simple but important symbol of the collaboration needed to take our industry forward. When industry, government and partners move together, much more becomes possible.

The evening ended with networking, entertainment and renewed connections, leaving us with a strong sense of momentum for the months ahead.

Stronger partnerships. Greater opportunities. More exports. One industry moving forward together.

Africa is Open for Business — And Our Sector Must Be Part of It

With more than 400 trade experts, business leaders and policymakers in one room, the 7th Eastern Cape Export Symposium & Exhibition delivered an important message: Africa’s trade landscape is changing, and South African manufacturers need to position themselves to take advantage of it.

Hosted by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the Symposium explored how the province’s R76 billion export economy can connect more strongly into regional and global value chains, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) firmly in the spotlight.

For the footwear and leather sector, these conversations matter. AfCFTA presents the potential to access a much larger African marketplace, but opportunity must be matched by competitive manufacturing, value addition, market intelligence, efficient infrastructure and a clear understanding of where demand exists.

SAFLEC was proudly represented by Board Member Rolland Eboru, Managing Executive of Fred Footwear, ensuring that the voice and potential of our footwear and leather manufacturers formed part of these wider trade and industrialisation conversations.

The Symposium also brought together senior government leadership, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, and Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane.

For SAFLEC, participation in platforms like these is not simply about being in the room. It is about keeping our sector visible, identifying opportunities early and turning national and continental trade strategies into practical routes to market for our members.

Africa is a market on our doorstep. The opportunity is growing — and our industry must be ready to claim its share.

Fresh Talent. Fresh Ranges. A More Competitive Industry.

At SAFLEC and EFLC, we endeavour not only to identify industry challenges — but to help find and drive the solutions.  We are known for INDUSTRY FIRSTS.

At a recent industry networking event, an important concern was raised: where is the next generation of footwear designers entering our factories?

For SAFLEC and EFLC, this goes directly to the heart of our export mandate. If South African manufacturers are to grow internationally, we need to empower them to develop fresh, distinctive and commercially competitive branded ranges that can capture the attention of global buyers. That requires new design talent, new ideas and young creatives who understand both design and the realities of footwear manufacturing.

In response to this industry need, SAFLEC, EFLC, SAFLIA and the DTIC came together to support the development of the next generation of footwear design talent, engaging Durban University of Technology (DUT) to introduce specialised footwear design training to final-year Fashion Design students. Fully led and funded by EFLC under the EFLC Programme, the pilot officially commenced on 21 August 2026, exposing more than 30 students to footwear design, construction, materials, technical product development and prototyping, together with practical factory and industry exposure.

The programme is deliberately a pilot and a learning ground. It allows us to identify what works, what needs to change and what additional industry exposure is required to develop young designers who can ultimately step into our factories and add real commercial value.

If successful, we hope the lessons from this pilot can inform a broader programme taken forward by the dtic and SAFLIA, creating a sustainable pipeline of new footwear design talent for the industry. For our manufacturers, the goal is clear: more design capability means stronger brands, more exciting and diverse ranges, greater global competitiveness and ultimately more opportunity in export markets.

Fresh young talent can breathe new life into our factories — and help put the next generation of South African footwear onto the global stage.

Wenzhou International Machinery & Components Exhibition

SAFLEC’s engagement with Asia continues to deepen – moving beyond market access towards building the technology, sourcing and knowledge partnerships that can strengthen South African manufacturing.

This was evident at the Wenzhou International Machinery & Components Exhibition, where SAFLEC Executive Director Nerisha Jairaj was invited as a Keynote Guest Speaker, bringing an International perspective to an international audience on the future of the global footwear industry.

The discussion explored AI and technology, global footwear development, changing consumer buying behaviour and the evolving relationship between South Africa and China. Importantly, it also looked at how access to Chinese materials, components, machinery, technology and technical knowledge can complement – rather than replace – local manufacturing. A vital component if we are to become globally competitive.

This forms part of a much broader direction for SAFLEC in Asia which is one of dtic’s new priority markets. Through our engagements across China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam, we are developing relationships on both sides of the value chain: creating markets for South African finished products while connecting our manufacturers to the technology, inputs, knowledge and global developments needed to produce more competitively at home.

Wenzhou therefore represented more than participation in another international event. It demonstrated the growing opportunity for South Africa to be both a contributor to global footwear conversations and a stronger participant in the international footwear value chain.

Looking Ahead

Upcoming Industry Activities

• 29–31 August 2026 – ILM Offenbach, Germany
• 5–7 September 2026 – Who’s Next, Paris, France
• 15–17 September 2026 – Lineapelle, Milan, Italy
• 23 September 2026 – EFLC & SAFLEC Industry Webinar with APICCAPS

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — Colin Powell

New programs starting for all our Western Cape members soon …watch this space.

This is your chance to learn, grow, and prepare for the future with confidence. Together, we are shaping an industry that is competitive, sustainable, and proudly South African.

More details to follow—keep an eye on your inbox!

Join The Movement: Don’t Miss Out

Not a SAFLEC member yet? The industry isn’t waiting—and neither should you. Get access to funding, exclusive trade missions, premium training, and more. Email prenisha@saflec.co.za to unlock the benefits.

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SOCIAL MEDIA