From the Desk of Executive
Director, Nerisha Jairaj
Building Momentum for the Footwear & Leather Industry
As we move deeper into 2025, the question isn’t what’s next? — it’s what are we doing now to shape what’s next?
South Africa’s footwear and leather industry has the talent, the craftsmanship, and the drive to make waves on the global stage. But success isn’t just about potential—it’s about action. Are we innovating fast enough? Are we maximizing market access? Are we telling our story in a way that compels international buyers to take notice?
This year is about momentum. Every investment in design, sustainability, and collaboration strengthens our industry’s global footprint. Every trade mission, factory upgrade, and skills development initiative moves us forward.
Let’s keep the pace. Let’s make 2024 a year of tangible wins—because the future of our industry isn’t just waiting to happen. We’re creating it.
Best regards,
Nerisha Jairaj Executive Director, SAFLEC
March Highlights: Empowering Growth & Expanding Horizons
March Highlights: Empowering Growth & Expanding Horizons
March has been a month of action, learning, and international engagement for the South African footwear and leather industry. From hands-on workshops to global trade events, we’ve been actively shaping the future of our sector.
Workshops & Webinars: Building Skills & Knowledge
This month, we hosted impactful sessions that not only provided critical industry insights but also empowered attendees with valuable skills:
3D Handbag Making Workshop with Russell Addinall (10-12 March 2025)
- 10 companies attended
This workshop was an essential opportunity for participants to gain hands-on experience in the growing 3D design space. By learning innovative techniques, attendees were upskilled to stay ahead of trends and boost product quality. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants noting the practical value and inspiration it brought to their businesses.
Production & Supplier Development Workshop with Janine Govender (20 March 2025)
- 11 companies attended
Focused on strengthening production capabilities and supplier networks, this workshop was crucial for businesses seeking to refine their processes and enhance operational efficiency. Attendees left equipped with strategies for sustainable growth, and the feedback reflected a strong sense of empowerment and renewed confidence.
Export Rebate Webinar with Trevor Michael (25 March 2025)
- 25 companies attended
The Export Rebate Webinar provided valuable insights into maximizing financial benefits from export rebates, giving attendees practical knowledge to increase profitability and improve export readiness. The participants expressed high satisfaction, especially in the clarity of the information shared and its immediate applicability to their businesses.
Global Engagement: Strengthening Industry Connections
South Africa’s presence on the international stage is a key element of SAFLEC’s drive to support all our members. In March, we proudly represented our industry at:
APLF Hong Kong (12-14 March 2025) – Our drive at SAFLEC is to ensure every member thrives, and that’s why we supported our tanneries by showcasing alternative funding mechanisms. The event opened doors for international partnerships and growth, and we’re committed to helping our members access the resources they need.
Italy – Through our collaboration with the Handbag Industry through ITA, this trade mission was not just about networking—it was an educational upskilling program aimed at empowering participants with the knowledge and tools to succeed in global markets. Attendees were able to strengthen their market presence and expand their skills to meet evolving industry demands.
March has been a month of strategic growth, skill-building, and global networking. Let’s keep pushing forward and creating opportunities for a brighter future!
Reviving South Africa’s Footwear Industry: Key Strategies for Growth
South Africa’s footwear industry faces an opportunity to grow through focused efforts on design excellence, collaboration, and local market positioning.
Building a Strong ‘Made in South Africa’ Identity
To revive the sector, it’s essential to create a strong national brand identity for South African-made footwear. Highlighting quality craftsmanship, local materials, and cultural uniqueness can position the products as premium, both locally and internationally. Strategic marketing campaigns, supported by government incentives, can help build this narrative and expand South Africa’s presence in global markets.
Fostering Innovation in Footwear Design
The future of the industry lies in innovation and design excellence. South African footwear manufacturers must focus on creating stylish, sustainable, and culturally infused products. This requires investment in design incubators, training programs, and collaborations with global brands to push the boundaries of local design. We suggest the government introduce funding for design development to foster innovation across the industry.
Strengthening Industry Collaboration
The revival of the footwear industry depends on collaborative efforts among manufacturers, designers, and suppliers. Industry groupings can facilitate shared resources, joint marketing, and bulk purchasing. We suggest the government promote the creation of these groupings and offer financial support for collaborative R&D. With increased cooperation, South African brands can better position themselves in both the local market and across Africa —where there is room for synthetic and affordable footwear—and across the globe, where demand for quality, affordable options is growing.
By focusing on branding, innovation, and collaboration, South Africa can revive its footwear industry, supported by a government that invests directly in these key areas for sustainable growth. But of course, let us not forget a strengthening of our supply chain, But that’s a topic for another day.
WORLD NEWS: Impact of 3D printing in the footwear industry.
3D printing is expected to have a significant impact on prototyping processes within the footwear industry. A majority of respondents in a global survey (52.2%) highlight its use in prototyping components such as soles or heels, while 43.9% recognize its importance in prototyping production tools like Molds or lasts.
Additionally, 35.5% of respondents foresee the application of this technology in prototyping entire footwear products.
These findings indicate that 3D printing is primarily valued for its ability to streamline design processes, reduce lead times, and enhance product development efficiency, particularly in the early stages of production.
Beyond prototyping, the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize production is acknowledged, though to a lesser extent. While 24.3% of respondents highlight its role in creating unique and customized products, only 13.1% see it as a viable tool for the full production of on-demand footwear. This suggests that while 3D printing is recognized for its flexibility and customization capabilities, challenges such as scalability, cost-efficiency, and material limitations may currently hinder its broader adoption in mass production.
Notably, only 3.7% of respondents believe 3D printing will have no relevant impact on the mentioned activities, underscoring its growing influence on the industry.
Source: World Footwear News
IF YOU ARE NOT A SAFLEC MEMBER YOU ARE LOSING OPPORTUNITIES!!!
Join SAFLEC and unlock a world of opportunities in the South African footwear and leather industry. As a member, gain access to vital resources, exclusive events, and networking platforms. With SAFLEC, seize the chance to expand into global markets through funding and support initiatives. Experience the thrill of collaborating with industry leaders, staying ahead of trends, and shaping the future of our craft. Do not just witness the excitement—be a vital part of it. Elevate your career and impact by becoming a member of SAFLEC today! Contact prenisha@saflec.co.za
Upcoming training/workshops to look out for:
Arsutoria Workshop
05-09 May 2025 – Durban
12-13 May 2025 – Cape town
Part 2 of Russell Addinall’s 3D Handbag making Course
Upcoming Tradeshows
FSNYE (June)
Korea imports fair (July)
Atlanta shoe market (August)
Autumn Fair Birmingham (September)
Leather World Paris (September) – Applications still open
Fashion World Tokyo (October) – Applications still open
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our social media platforms have been hitting record breaking hits. Our last post obtained over 160 000 likes, boosted to followers in the rest of Africa, Europe, Middle East, and North America. We encourage you to take advantage of our efforts to promote you.
Send us content to push your company and brands. Also like, follow, and forward our links to your contact lists. Let’s build the following globally, so that we can show the world our capability.