‘Be proudly South African, buy local’

IN AN ATTEMPT to encourage Northern Cape residents to “buy local”, Proudly South African, the country’s buy local advocacy campaign, will be in Kimberley to conduct a business-oriented forum and public sector procurement-focused conference this week.

The business forum will address the key challenges faced by SMMEs, namely access to finance and access to market, and will provide a B2B networking opportunity for local businesses to find new buyers and suppliers within the Province.

The public sector event will concentrate on equipping government procurement and supply chain officials from all three tiers of government, its agencies and entities with all the relevant information around local procurement legislation and their roles and responsibilities in this regard, and beyond.

Happy Ngidi, chief marketing officer of Proudly South African, said they would also be amplifying their “buy local” message to all consumers in the Province.

“Every year between November and January, South Africa experiences a massive spike in retail sales. The calendar year-end, when bonuses and 13th cheques are paid, coincides with long summer holidays and Christmas festivities for those who celebrate it.

“The new academic year begins in January and pupils must be equipped with uniform, shoes and other accessories associated with back to school. According to research, sales of toys, clothing and electronic goods rise by as much as 51% during this short three-month festive season period. Homeware accounts for a 41% increase and grocery purchases rise by 40%.

“If we could channel all this spending into locally produced, grown and manufactured goods, it would make an enormous difference to our economy and to job creation, and there are millions of South Africans who would like nothing more than a job for Christmas this year,” Ngidi stated.

He added that buying local was a choice that government, the private sector and individuals should make to turn the tide of rampant unemployment faced by South Africa.

“By increasing levels of local procurement and making more ‘buy local’ choices, we buy back South Africa and create jobs here at home instead of exporting job opportunities to those countries who import into ours,” Ngidi said.

The conference will take place in Kimberley on December 5 and

6. – Norma Wildenboer