The Lowvelder

Buy Local Lowveld hosts glorious members’ event

- Chelsea Pieterse

MBOMBELA - Celebratin­g the Lowveld’s local businesses and entreprene­urs, the Buy Local Lowveld team held a marvellous year-end function for members at the beautiful Christie’s at 32 on Russell last week.

Guests were treated to a glass of champagne as they entered Christie’s on Friday afternoon and were able to peruse a few stalls set up by businesses that have already partnered with Buy Local Lowveld, such as Cast Iron Coffee Co, Pie Boyz SA, Spru Lowveld and Crocodile River Bottling Co.

Buy Local Lowveld was launched in 2020 in an effort to kick-start the local economy and support local business.

The campaign has continued to grow from strength to strength and has been gaining momentum since its foundation two years ago.

The event on Friday touched on why

Buy Local Lowveld was formed, as well as the launch of its new website and its plans for the future.

The new website will now include a categorise­d directory section. Each listing will include the company logo, short biography, keywords for Google searchabil­ity assistance, a direct button link to the website and a direct email link for communicat­ion to Buy Local members for enquiries.

With regard to the future of Buy Local Lowveld, the plan is to grow its paid membership base in order to better build brand

Stix Dumisa kept the crowd entertaine­d. awareness and traction of buying local, through marketing and events, as well as to grow the Buy Local network through social media paid advertisin­g, use of badge branding, email marketing and networking events.

There is also the hope of creating dedicated Buy Local Lowveld areas for the sale of local products in local chain stores and fresh produce markets.

To find out more, visit the Buy Local website on www.buylocallo­wveld.co.za.

 ?? ?? Leroy Sanderson and Jeff Mazik of Pie Boyz SA.
Guests at the Buy Local Lowveld members’ event.
Leroy Sanderson and Jeff Mazik of Pie Boyz SA. Guests at the Buy Local Lowveld members’ event.
 ?? ?? Michael Irons, Nathan Eltze and Ricky Eltze of Cast Iron Coffee Co.
Michael Irons, Nathan Eltze and Ricky Eltze of Cast Iron Coffee Co.
 ?? ?? Andrea Fourie of Bohemian Groove Café, Deidré das Neves of Clay & Coffee Lowveld and Inge Austin.
Andrea Fourie of Bohemian Groove Café, Deidré das Neves of Clay & Coffee Lowveld and Inge Austin.
 ?? ?? Hantie Henn and Janine Venter.
Hantie Henn and Janine Venter.
 ?? ?? Albert Gryvenstei­n and Johan Venter.
Albert Gryvenstei­n and Johan Venter.
 ?? ?? Buy Local Lowveld’s founding member, Rob Gibbs.
Buy Local Lowveld’s founding member, Rob Gibbs.
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