An increase in demand for local products and services, and as a consequence an increase in employment levels has motivated the very successful second Proudly SA Conference and Expo, held in co-operation with Cosatu Western Cape and other strategic stakeholders.

“Creating more opportunities and saving jobs through buying local” was the main theme of this innovative partnership which created a platform for 50 established and 10 emerging enterprises to showcase local products and services to local procurers especially, while establishing valuable business networks.

The Executive Director of Nedlac, Mr Herbert Mkhize said that this “matching exercise” “reflects the spirit of ubuntu and the values that Proudly South African as the National Buy Local Campaign promotes”.  “It is an investment in our nation’s future”, he concluded.   He praised the “commitment of COSATU and the Provincial Development Council, together with the other social partners, to help put theory into practice – to actively promote Buy Local, by bringing together businesses, both big and small, procurers and business leaders to demonstrate in a very practical manner the synergistic relationship between Buy Local, local demand, local production – and employment creation and economic growth”.

The Expo and Conference, furthermore aimed to:

• showcase the features and benefits of stimulating the South African economy through local supply and production;
• promote the awareness amongst government and business leaders, especially managers in the area of procurement, about the positive impact that local procurement has on job creation; and
• create greater awareness amongst social partners (government, business, civil society and labour) and the general public about buying goods and services produced locally.

The conference was attended by about 500 representatives of Labour, Business and Government (Local, Provincial and National) as well as Civil Society.  It also provided an opportunity to the constituencies to report back on the strides made in promoting the Buy Local Campaign. The Conference, furthermore, examined some of the constraints to increasing employment opportunities. 

The Expo attracted an estimated 8 000 visitors, mostly from the main constituencies.