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‘Made in South Africa’ has been a concept in question in recent weeks. Even for products that are manufactured in SA, the wider supply chain is in question. Is everything being done to ensure localisation? In the clothing industry, big-name brands have been called out for outsourcing manufacturing or bringing in cheap materials from abroad.

To learn more about what how to do things in South Africa, for South Africa, and by South Africans, we talk to Allwear. This KZN business has, for 87 years, employed local people, partnered with local suppliers, and made its products for the local market. MD Joe Tau tells us that this culture will continue, with investments into technology that will ensure compliance to the strictest of quality standards.

Pep Clothing has the same message. As the company battles through the prep for the back-to-school order intake (already?!), CEO Marthie Raphael tells us that being nimble, flexible and cost effective is only possible when working with reliable local partners who understand the SA nuance.

Sapphire is a brand specialist, solving complex supply chain challenges for businesses in SA. Whether uniforms, GNFR, branded merch or more, the company utilises carefully selected local partners to deliver a comprehensive service portfolio without fail.

The AIDC, seeking to promote the automotive industry in South Africa and particularly in Gauteng, is pushing hard to build skills and open opportunities so that more local people can participate in an industry that has been monumental for the country’s growth over the years. Here, localisation is critical, and the aim is to drive SA input to levels beyond what has been achieved in the past.

Rawson Property Developers, building residential units in Cape Town, has made it part of its mission and culture to use local labour, local materials, local partners, and build communities that result in the betterment of South Africans.

Going local sounds easy, but there are still so many companies that require compliance and regulatory checks to formalise participation in bigger projects. For those that are able to bring them along for the ride, well done.

Get in touch and tell us more about your localisation drive across supply chains and partnerships. We’re always online at LinkedIn.