The Buy Local Summit and Expo took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng. This is Proudly South African’s flagship platform to drive meaningful conversations and action around localisation.
The theme of this year’s summit was: localisation as a critical need for the South African economy. From strengthening local manufacturing and supply chains.
The action-packed programme includes engaging and impactful discussions on pertinent issues affecting home-grown industries, MSME workshops, activations where local ingenuity is showcased, an MSME financing workshop, and a business matchmaking seminar that creates market access opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs by pairing them with compatible conglomerates.
It celebrates the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, nurtures it, and where we revel in all things that are Loved Here. Made Here.
Proudly South African works with the public and private sectors to promote increased levels of local procurement through supply chain structures, and with consumers to change habits of everyday store and online purchases.
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Speaking to Eustace Mashimbye, Proudly SA CEO, he explains why events such as the summit and expo are vital. “Buying local and procurement is something that isn’t topical in South Africa. In building that up and getting more and more South Africans to buy local, you need platforms like these where you are able to showcase the products (from the 27 sectors that were represented on the day) to get buyers from the private sector to realise they can either onboard these products to their retail shelves, or list them on supply databases for corporates.”
He continues to elaborate on the event’s dual purpose: The conference deals with all issues with regard to industrialisation and localisation, including issues like illicit trade, dumping, counterfeits and underdeclaration at ports of entry. The expo showcases the products.
“Strengthening the local supply chains and value chains helps build an economy that is self-reliant. When the traditional source of supply closes down, as we saw during the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a problem with local demand. Current geopolitical tensions are enhancing this concern again, highlighting the urgency of strengthening local supply chains,” he emphasises.
“Local domestic demand is what will become the foundation that will grow our export market as well,” he adds.
The most common issue that Mashimbye says he hears is that buyers lament non-competitive pricing. “Pricing only becomes an issue where you are dealing with products where there is no fair competition.” Yet, many SMEs are competing with the likes of international giants like Shein or Temu. But there is a deeper concern, too.
Mashimbye raises an excellent point: If the argument is that consumers and businesses alike import products because it is cheaper, what are those suppliers doing (or not doing) to get those low, low prices?
“However, we know that if local demand for local products is increased, you are able to produce more, ultimately reducing the cost per unit when you look at your input costs.
“Consumers and local brands alike need to increase their awareness of local products on days such as the Buy Local Summit and Expo, because there are instances where it isn’t expensive, and we are competitive. That’s why businesses have joined the ranks of exhibitors today.”
His message for the day can be summed up as: Where we are not competing fairly locally, let’s ramp up consumption.
“For SMEs, their importance can never be underplayed. They create jobs, their GDP contributions are unmistakable, so they need to thrive in order to contribute meaningfully to the economy. Yet, they need to recognise the responsibility they have to buy from each other too,” Mashimbye says.
“As Proudly South African, we support the SMME by getting big businesses at conferences like these to make commitments to supporting local businesses.”
A Different Perspective
Speaking from the small business perspective, Quentin Faltain, owner of CQC Business Solutions, attending exhibitions are vital to gain exposure and develop lasting relationships, and to show what is capable in the South African market.
CQC Business Solutions is a local manufacturing company for office seating, including swivel chairs and soft seating, and offers services such as refurbishments and office furniture rentals.
Faltain’s business draws on his more than 30 years of experience in the industry. The business itself is five years strong, and supplies to a variety of retailers, dealers, corporates and designers.
He notes that being backed by industry role players such as Standard Bank, which sponsored their exhibit, is a game-changer.
The story he shares is a universal one: “If people don’t specifically search online for ‘office chair manufacturer in South Africa’, they don’t know we exist. But they bump into us here, become aware that there is a small business that manufactures chairs in South Africa and connect with us. It is convenient and builds attention leads, and we grow together from there.”
Naledzani Mosomane, Standard Bank’s head of ESD, weighs in on the importance of conferences such as the Buy Local Summit and Expo.
“It is wonderful to enable businesses that we have worked with to showcase their products and potentially increase their opportunities outside of what the bank offers. This is the most important thing for us. We want them to get market access and procurement opportunities because we understand that their growth means our growth as a business bank.”
She highlights that it is also important for the bank to show up for their clients – not just with financial support, but with non-financial support.
Faltain believes that the main thing that is generally missed about supply chains is the price behind the products. He explains that there seems to be a lack of understanding thereof, because it is about value, not money. “They are not factoring in customer service, excellence in product and the pride that the entrepreneurs have for their work. We need to support each other to improve the demand for Loved Local, Made Local.”
But Mosomane adds that SMEs should also take the time to learn how to position themselves to corporates or bigger companies. Although the price is a factor, they look at the entire proposal to make their decisions – Access to supply chains is there, but there is a lack of knowledge.”
Mosomane states that SMEs provide quality goods and services, and they need the opportunity to share that as suppliers.
“Tools that help businesses reach the supply chain include Standard Bank’s portal, where SMEs can upload their profile, and if there are RFPs or RFQs, entrepreneurs can tender for these. They just need to keep their eyes open,” she concludes.”
Innovation Beyond Expected
The closing of the two-day event saw the launch of Shesha, a homegrown board game that was built in South Africa, for South Africa.
“It was important for us to launch with Proudly SA today, as their mandate is to educate South Africa about South Africa. From cultures and languages, to people and places. We are collectively focusing on the country specifically,” says Xolani Mahlangu, head of marketing for Shesha321.
Star Roots is a group of companies that owns this business. Its initial trial board games were selling very quickly and pointed to the need to further develop and back the Shesha game.
Mahlangu adds that funding for businesses that drive initiatives like this board game is crucial. “It helps to create jobs and boost local manufacturing – something that we are very proud to say we’ve achieved; the entire board game was designed and manufactured in South Africa.”
The game can be purchased on the Proudly South African shop as well as the Shesha123 website.
Overall, this addition to the day made for a fun, entertaining and engaging moment that brought attendees together. Ending the day on a high note.
