Table of Content
- Topic 1: PROUDLY SA LOCAL IS LEKKER CONFERENCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TIKZN
- Topic 2: EXPORT TRAINING WEBINAR
- Topic 3: GIZ STRATEGIC MEETINGS
- Topic 4: 1ST INDUCTION FOR SMMEs IN TEXTILE & LEATHER INCUBATION PROGRAMME
- Topic 5: WORLD NEWS (AS PER WORLD FOOTWEAR NEWS)
- Topic 6: LET’S HEAR WHAT MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY
- Topic 7: Social Media
- Topic 8: Upcoming Events
Topic 1:
PROUDLY SA LOCAL IS LEKKER CONFERENCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TIKZN


Made in South Africa is slowly becoming a footwear and leather goods label for consumers globally, promoted by Proudly SA on the local front and SAFLEC in the global arena. In May, Proudly South African, in collaboration with Trade and Investment Kwa-Zulu Natal (TIKZN), held a multi-sectoral workshop for local manufacturers. Nerisha Jairaj of SAFLEC spoke about access to international markets and SAFLEC’s support for the leather sector.
Collaboration is key during these trying times. Every effort is being made by collaborative stakeholders to push the “Made in SA Agenda.” The event was attended by over 50 local manufactures.
Topic 2:
EXPORT TRAINING WEBINAR


Facilitator: Trevor Michael of Clearline Consulting
SAFLEC and EFLC held an export training webinar facilitated by Trevor Michael of Clearline Consulting on 25th May which was attended by 23 members.
Trevor covered:
- Introduction: An Exporters Tale
- Cost Considerations
- Overview of Export Activity
- Export Financing: Don’t let it scare you!
- Types of Financing options
- Trade Cost Realities
- Cost Reduction Strategies
These topics enabled the audience to understand exports and learn about the dos and don’ts with the added benefit of access to funding and cost realities. If you missed out contact us for a recording of the webinar. SAFLEC always encourages its members to learn more about how to export.
Topic 3:
GIZ STRATEGIC MEETINGS
SAFLEC and EFLC met with Botswana representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), which has a wide mandate “dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world”, and which is a “service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security”. Whew!
At SAFLEC’s request, GIZ is considering developing a programme to assist Southern African Customs Union (SACU) exporters to start at the end of 2023.
Watch this space for more updates!!!!

Topic 4:
1ST INDUCTION FOR SMMEs IN TEXTILE & LEATHER INCUBATION PROGRAMME
SAFLEC and EFLC attended the launch of the first Induction for SMMEs in Textile and Leather Incubation Programme. Held on 31st May at the DUT Fashion Department in Overport and hosted by Gnanam Pillay (Poppet), CEO of the Durban Textile and Leather Incubator (DTLI). In attendance were industry stakeholders such as SEDA, SEFA KZN EDTEA, FP&M Seta eThekwini, DUT, etc. 57 SMMEs have committed to this incubation programme. SAFLEC and EFLC are glad to be working in collaboration with DTLI.

Topic 5:
WORLD NEWS (AS PER WORLD FOOTWEAR NEWS)
Germany Retail: a bleak horizon for both the physical and online retail
June 12, 2023, World Footwear Reports
Consumers seem to have definitely pulled the rug out from under footwear companies, as can be seen by the wave of insolvencies observed in the footwear sector in recent months, in addition to the store closures recorded in 2022. And the online channel is having no better luck, with sales progressively losing the momentum of the positive results recorded in the summer of last year. Overall, the future of retail looks set to remain a little gloomier in the coming months.
Topic 6:
LET’S HEAR WHAT MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY


Topic 7:
Social Media

Our social media platforms have been hitting record-breaking hits. Our recent campaign obtained over 14,800,000 impressions and over 540,000 engagements, 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 us build the following globally so that we can show the world our capability.
Twitter: @SAFLECEXPORT
Facebook: @SAFOOTWEAREXPORT
Instagram: @saflec_team
Youtube: SAFLEC
Topic 8:
Upcoming Events

Export Training – May/June 2023
New York trade Show – 6-8 June 2023
Busan Design Week – 22-25 June 2023
Leather World Paris – 3-5 July 2023