From the Desk of Executive
Director, Nerisha Jairaj
From pioneering industry-first initiatives to expanding South Africa’s presence on the global stage, July was a month defined by progress, collaboration and new opportunities for the local footwear and leather industry.
The South African footwear and leather industry continues to operate in an environment shaped by changing consumer preferences, increased global competition, rising production costs and evolving international trade dynamics. In this landscape, sustained growth depends on more than quality manufacturing—it requires meaningful collaboration, strategic partnerships and continuous engagement with both local and international markets. Creating opportunities that connect manufacturers with buyers, strengthen supply chains and improve competitiveness remains central to ensuring the long-term success of our industry.
Throughout July, a series of strategic initiatives brought together manufacturers, retailers, government, organised labour and international partners to advance market access and unlock new opportunities for South African businesses. From the country’s first-ever Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase, which established a direct platform between manufacturers and leading retail buyers, to international engagement at the Vietnam International Footwear & Leather Exhibition and a strong presence at All Fashion Sourcing Cape Town, each initiative was designed to strengthen the industry’s position both locally and globally. July has been a month that reaffirmed the resilience, adaptability and ambition of South Africa’s footwear and leather industry. As businesses continue to navigate an increasingly competitive global landscape, collaboration, innovation and strategic partnerships remain essential to strengthening local manufacturing, expanding market access and creating sustainable growth opportunities.
Best regards,
Nerisha Jairaj Executive Director, SAFLEC
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
Breaking New Ground: South Africa’s First Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase
South Africa’s footwear industry reached a significant milestone in July with the successful delivery of the Footwear Retail Buyer Engagement Programme—a pioneering initiative led by SAFLIA in partnership with SAFLEC, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Productivity SA, with funding support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Footwear and Leather Master Plan Working Group, led by SAFLIA.
At the heart of the programme was the country’s first-ever Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase, a breakthrough initiative designed to bridge the gap between local manufacturers and South Africa’s leading retail buyers. For the first time, 13 footwear manufacturers had the opportunity to present their product ranges, manufacturing capabilities, compliance standards and innovation directly to retail sourcing teams in a dedicated business-to-business environment.
The two-day programme extended well beyond a traditional exhibition. High-level networking sessions, industry panel discussions and guided factory visits created a platform for meaningful dialogue between retailers, manufacturers, government, organised labour and development partners. Retail buyers experienced first-hand the quality, craftsmanship and production capabilities of local manufacturers, while gaining greater confidence in the sector’s ability to meet commercial and sourcing requirements.
The timing of the initiative could not have been more significant. As the local footwear industry continues to navigate increasing import competition, rising production costs and shifting consumer demand, the programme demonstrated that collaboration across the value chain is essential to unlocking sustainable growth. By facilitating direct engagement between manufacturers and retailers, the initiative is helping to remove barriers to local procurement, strengthen domestic supply chains and accelerate the localisation agenda under the R-CTFL Master Plan.
Key Outcomes Included:
- Strengthened partnerships between retailers and local manufacturers.
- Showcased the capabilities of 13 South African footwear manufacturers.
- Created new opportunities for local sourcing and supplier development.
- Advanced localisation objectives under the R-CTFL Master Plan.
- Enhanced the competitiveness and long-term growth of the footwear industry.
Vietnam International Footwear & Leather Exhibition
Demonstrating its commitment to positioning South African footwear and leather manufacturers on the global stage, SAFLEC members participated in the Vietnam International Footwear & Leather Exhibition from 8–10 July 2026.
The exhibition served as a strategic platform to strengthen international relationships, identify export opportunities and gain first-hand insight into the latest developments shaping the global footwear and leather industry.
As the world’s manufacturing centre for footwear and leather, Asia offers unparalleled insight into the future of the industry. Through SAFLEC’s presence in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and soon Japan, South African manufacturers gain access to the ideas, technologies, and partnerships that drive global competitiveness. These engagements help ensure that our industry remains agile, export-ready, and positioned to compete with confidence on the international stage.
Why this matters:
- Emerging trends in sustainable footwear and leather production.
- The latest advancements in manufacturing technology and automation.
- New opportunities for strategic partnerships across Asian markets.
- Strong engagement with international buyers and sourcing professionals.
- Greater insight into global product trends and future market demands.
SAFLEC members proudly participated in All Fashion Sourcing Cape Town, one of Africa’s premier business-to-business fashion trade exhibitions and a key event on the industry’s calendar. The exhibition brought together leading retailers, buyers, fashion designers, manufacturers, sourcing specialists, government agencies, industry associations and international trade representatives, providing an ideal platform for networking, collaboration and business development.
A total of five SAFLEC member footwear brands proudly showcased the quality, craftsmanship and innovation of South African manufacturing. The SAFLEC Pavilion attracted exceptional foot traffic throughout the three-day exhibition, with a continuous stream of buyers, retailers, sourcing professionals and industry stakeholders visiting the stand to discover locally manufactured footwear and engage directly with exhibitors. The strong interest generated numerous business enquiries, valuable networking opportunities and promising discussions around future commercial partnerships.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships at the 2nd SADC Regional Leather Forum
SAFLEC was honoured to participate in the 2nd SADC Regional Leather Forum, convened by the SADC Secretariat in Durban, South Africa. The forum brought together government representatives, industry associations, manufacturers, development partners and private sector stakeholders from across the SADC region to review progress and shape the future of the regional leather value chain.
The forum was chaired by Dimakatso Moji, Director of the Leather & Footwear Sector Desk at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). whose leadership reinforced the importance of a united regional approach to advancing the footwear and leather sector. Through her facilitation, discussions emphasised the value of cross-border collaboration, regional partnerships and collective action to strengthen industrial development, improve regional value chains and unlock greater trade opportunities across the SADC region.
The forum focused on advancing regional economic integration by strengthening the competitiveness of the leather and footwear sector, promoting value addition, enhancing regional value chains, and increasing intra-SADC trade. Discussions also explored investment opportunities, policy harmonisation, skills development, sustainable industrialisation, and strategies to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As the national export council representing South Africa’s footwear and leather industry, SAFLEC actively engaged with regional stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, share industry insights, and advocate for initiatives that support manufacturers and exporters. The forum provided an important platform to foster collaboration, identify opportunities for regional supply chain development, and promote greater integration of Southern Africa’s footwear and leather industries.
Participation in the 2nd SADC Regional Leather Forum reinforces SAFLEC’s commitment to working alongside regional partners to unlock new trade opportunities, improve market access, strengthen regional competitiveness, and contribute to the sustainable growth of Africa’s footwear and leather sector. Through continued collaboration with governments, industry bodies and development partners, SAFLEC remains dedicated to advancing a more integrated, resilient and globally competitive regional leather value chain.
Why This Matters
- Strengthens regional trade and economic integration across SADC.
- Supports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Creates new opportunities for exports, investment and cross-border partnerships.
- Promotes a more competitive and sustainable African leather value chain.
- Encourages knowledge sharing, innovation and skills development.
Upcoming Industry Activities
- New York NOW Trade Show (02 – 04 August 2026)
- AGM & EFLC Networking Dinner Review (13 August 2026)
- ILM Germany Trade Show (29 -31 August 2026)
- Who’s Next Paris (05 – 07 September 2026)
- FW Tokyo (07 -09 October 2026)
“One is too small a number to achieve greatness. The greatest accomplishments are never achieved by one person alone, but by people working together toward a common purpose.”
— John C. Maxwell
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!
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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Let’s keep moving forward positively no matter the challenges.
Warm regards,
Nerisha Jairaj Executive Director, SAFLEC