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.
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.
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.
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.
