PROUDLY SA ENDORSES THE TOP 16 YOUTH-OWNED BRANDS AWARDS

Image :Proudly South African

Proudly South African has joined the prestigious Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards as a category partner. Proudly SA will be the category partner for the Top Manufacturing Category – marking a significant step forward in its mission to empower made in South Africa brands. The partnership between the YOBAs and Proudly SA highlights Proudly SA’s unwavering commitment to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth among South Africa.

Proudly SA’s collaboration with the Top Manufacturing category at the upcoming awards ceremony, not only aims to promote local manufacturing but also showcases its belief in the transformative power of youth-led innovation within the sector.

“Our alliance with Proudly SA is one that solidifies our mission of celebrating youth excellence in brand building. Together with Proudly SA, we can inspire more young entrepreneurs to enter the manufacturing sector and produce their brands locally and make a tangible impact on South Africa’s economy through job creation,” says Pat Mahlangu, founder and CEO of the YOBAs.

Echoing this sentiment, Proudly SA Chief Marketing Officer, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi says, “At Proudly SA, we are unwavering in our commitment to harnessing the transformative power of our youth. Our endorsement of the Top 16 YOBAs is a strategic move to catalyse economic growth and job creation. These young entrepreneurs are the vanguard of innovation, and by celebrating their achievements, we are not just recognizing their potential—we are actively investing in the future of our nation thus leading to entrepreneurship & job opportunities. We provide robust support to empower these trailblazers to thrive in a competitive market, thereby driving sustained economic progress and generating much-needed employment opportunities”.

Proudly SA has earned a sterling reputation for its persistent support of local businesses and products, championing the diversity of South African entrepreneurship and creativity. They are committed to promoting economic growth and job creation, their mission encompasses fostering a culture of buying local, ensuring that South Africans recognize the immense value and quality offered by homegrown businesses.

“By supporting initiatives like the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, we reaffirm our commitment to showcasing the exceptional quality and ingenuity that South Africa has to offer, while driving sustainable growth and empowerment for future generations,” Happy concludes.

Set to take place on 22 June in Sandton, the Top 16 YOBAs have been recognized as the pinnacle of excellence within South Africa’s youth entrepreneurial landscape for the past 3 years. Now, with Proudly SA’s support in the Top Manufacturing Category, these esteemed awards are poised to reach even greater heights, celebrating the remarkable achievements of young entrepreneurs.

For more information on the YOBAs please visit www.top16yoba.africa.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 12TH ANNUAL BUY LOCAL SUMMIT AND EXPO

Proudly South African’s 12th annual Buy Local Summit and Expo is set to be an extraordinary event, showcasing the best of South Africa’s homegrown talent and products. The event is set to take place on March 25th and 26th at Sandton Convention Centre. The expo promises an impressive line-up of exhibitors spanning various sectors, including FMCG, Manufacturing, Automotive, Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear, & Leather (R-CTFL), Furniture, and agro-processing.

Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, Proudly SA Chief Marketing Officer,

Speaking to Drum, Proudly South African brand, chief marketing officer, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi said, “The Buy Local Summit and Expo is a platform that not only carries an interdisciplinary of sector but also signifies the importance of supporting and buying locally manufactured goods and services. We as Proudly South African are mandated to educate citizens on the weight of their purchasing decisions when it comes to growing our economy and creating jobs”.

She added, “There is something for everyone! Visitors who are coming to the expo will be spoilt for choice. We have about 200 local vendors from textiles; manufacturing; construction; healthcare; agriculture, and several other sectors. This is an opportunity to see, interact, and buy from some of the country’s best local businesses”.

Keynote Addresses and Engaging Discussions

The event will kick off with addresses by notable figures such as Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, Minister of Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, and Minister of Department of Small Business, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. These key stakeholders will engage with local SMMEs. They will be highlighting the importance of supporting homegrown businesses and driving economic growth through local procurement.

Image: Drum

This Year’s Theme

Similar to last year’s theme, “Growing the economy and creating jobs through Localisation”, this year’s theme, “Localisation: An Inclusive Approach for Economic Growth and Job Creation,” will highlight the pivotal role of local procurement in fostering job creation and economic development. The program featuring over 100 vendors showcasing the best of what the country has to offer. Attendees can expect insightful discussions and engaging sessions that emphasize the importance of supporting locally made goods.

Day 1 and Day 2 Line-Up

Day one of the Proudly South African’s 12th annual Buy Local Summit and Expo will feature panels discussing the theme of localisation. The panel will consist of prominent figures such as Congress of South African Trade Unions’ Ms Zingiswa Losi and Proudly SA board member Mr Thulani Tshefuta among the speakers. Additionally, there will be a panel dedicated to exploring the global phenomenon of Amapiano music and its impact on South African culture and economy.

The second day will continue the momentum with a showcase of SMME success stories and discussions on the role of family-run businesses in driving economic growth. Attendees can also look forward to a mixologist “Happy Hour” segment, where they can sample locally distilled gin cocktails and engage with mixologists about the art of cocktail making.

Image: South African Business Integrator

Celebrating South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

According to Happy, Proudly South African is in the business of innovation. “We always ask ourselves how to make local goods more attractive to the consumers. And this expo is one way to change the narrative that local is not good enough when compared to imports. This must change.” To join the expo, you can register for free here.