PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to support local businesses by buying clothes and products in order create much-needed jobs and boost the economy.
The president was delivering his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town’s City Hall, Cape Town.
“Let us all promote localisation, let us buy locally made clothes and products because it does create jobs for our people here in South Africa, Local is lekker,” he said.
Ramaphosa said that several retailers in the clothing industry have announced ambitious localisation sourcing plans. He praised the retail store Foschini for its involvement in localisation.
“In the clothing industry, a number of retailers have announced ambitious localisation sourcing plans.
One of these retailers, Foschini, kindly made the suit that I am wearing today at its new formal wear
factory, Prestige Epping,” he said.
The President said: “Five years ago, more than 80 per cent of all Foschini Group merchandise came from the East. Today, nearly half of the merchandise is locally made.”
“An important pillar of our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is to revitalise our manufacturing base and create globally competitive export industries,” he added.
Ramaphosa said in the past year, they have launched new master plans in the steel industry, furniture and global business services.
“Through these plans, business, government and labour are working together to increase production and create more jobs in the sector.”
In the spirit of supporting local businesses, the President uploaded a local store from Pietermaritzburg that manufactured his shoes.
“The genuine leather shoes I am wearing were made by members of the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers from Bolton Footwear in Cape Town and Dick Whittington Shoes in Pietermaritzburg,” he said.
- * Inside Politics
