DURBAN — South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is set to launch a major industrial offensive in the footwear sector this week, aimed at deepening localisation and driving job creation. The Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase, which begins on 1 July at the Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga, marks a critical step in the implementation of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Master Plan 2030.
The initiative is designed to create direct commercial links between domestic manufacturers and major retail buyers. By facilitating these engagements, government hope to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and revitalise a sector that is vital for national employment. The event is a joint venture between the dtic, the South African Footwear and Leather Industries Association, and the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council, with international backing from the International Labour Organization.
Acting Deputy Director-General of Sectors at the dtic, Dr Tebogo Makube, stated that the showcase represents a practical intervention to connect local factories with massive market opportunities. He noted that the R-CTFL Master Plan is a social compact between government, labour, and the private sector intended to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity. According to Makube, the future sustainability of the footwear sector depends entirely on stronger collaboration between manufacturers and retailers.
The two-day programme will feature 13 participating manufacturers presenting their production ranges and compliance readiness to sourcing teams. This will be followed by a networking dinner and high-level panel discussions focusing on sustainability and market access. On the second day, retailers will conduct targeted factory visits to inspect quality management systems and workforce capabilities firsthand.
This move comes at a time when South Africa is intensifying efforts to build an inclusive and resilient economy. By fostering deeper industrial coordination and stronger domestic supply chains, the dtic aims to ensure that local producers have the visibility and support needed to compete with international markets. The success of this initiative is expected to lead to new sourcing orders and long-term commercial partnerships that will stabilise the industry.
Beyond immediate sales, the initiative serves as a blueprint for how strategic partnerships can accelerate industrialisation. The R-CTFL Master Plan, signed in 2019, continues to be the primary vehicle for revitalising the sector through supplier development and transformation. Government officials believe that by bringing all stakeholders into a single ecosystem, the footwear value chain can become a cornerstone of South Africa’s industrial growth.
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