Proudly South African’s 12th annual Buy Local Summit and Expo promises to give an outstanding line-up of event. The expo element of the event will comprise of over 200 exhibitors within sectors in the FMCG, Manufacturing, Automotive, Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear, & Leather (R-CTFL), Furniture, and agro-processing over the two-day period.
Taking place on 25 and 26 March at the Sandton Convention Centre, the flagship event is renowned for its innovative convergence of manufacturers, buyers, government officials, policymakers, decision makers, consumers and business development agencies who all play a fundamental role in the quest for localisation.
The first day will kick off with addresses by some of South Africa’s biggest changemakers, such as Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi and the Minister of Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Ebrahim Patel, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Department of Small Business (DSBD) who will all walk the floors engaging with local SMMEs and witnessing first hand what local businesses have to offer.
Under the theme “Localisation: An Inclusive Approach for Economic Growth and Job Creation,” the summit emphasises the critical role of local procurement in fostering job creation and economic growth within South Africa. And the programme – with over 100+ vendors with the best the country has to offer – promises nothing short.
While the expo will be producing everything from lifestyle goods to locally manufactured furniture pieces for delegates to appreciate the beauty of homegrown, the conference component which seeks to land the importance of localisation, encourage support of locally made goods, as well as to highlight the role each industry plays in creating jobs and boosting the economy. The conference topics on day one reveals the importance of localisation by delving into the theme of the two-day function.
The first panel of the two-day event will explore the theme with Congress of South African Trade Unions Ms Zingiswa Losi, Proudly SA Community Constituency and board member Mr Thulani Tshefuta, as well as Nedlac Executive Director Ms Lisa Seftel, to name a few. This all-important panel will be facilitated by award-winning financial journalist and broadcaster, Fifi Peters.
Day one will be rounded up with a highly anticipated panel by South Africa’s most popular export currently: Amapiano to the world. The discussion will see urban culture curator and promoter Thulani ‘Way’, musician Legendary Crisp, and music journalist Shiba Mazaza who will unpack the relevance of the genre, its origin and its popularity the world over, while divulging the impact Amapiano has had in sustaining households and created jobs.
Day two promises to be just an extravagant affair, with an exciting SMME showcase. When small enterprises are what keeps the economy going, how have they become the successes they are? In the midst will be Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams who will interact with the SMMEs on the expo floor and brace the conference attendees with a keynote address.
It’s A Family Affair will be one of our most exciting moments – a discussion with some of the best family-run businesses about what works and what doesn’t, and if it is better to keep – business at least – in the family.
You can also expect to hear from some of the enterprise supplier development beneficiaries of our incredible sponsors: Absa, Sasol, SAB, Telkom, and FNB.
Day two will close-off with a refreshing mixologist ‘Happy Hour’ segment where flavours of locally made gin cocktails shaken by the mixologists in the. Here, consumers will get the opportunity to taste the best of locally distilled gin and converse with mixologists about the art – presented to you by some of Proudly SA’s gin member companies.
The event’s success is made possible by the generous support of sponsors including Absa, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic), the Department of Small Business Development, GCIS, Sasol, Coca-Cola Beverages SA, naamsa, Telkom, Lactalis, FNB, South 32, Naspers, Takealot Group, Southern Sun, SAB, Nestlé ESAR, and Brand SA.
Join us at the 12th Annual Buy Local Summit and Expo as we collectively contribute to the prosperity of South Africa and its businesses.
Consumer registration for the 12th annual Buy Local Summit and Expo is free and visitors can join in any of the sessions.For more, visit www.proudlysa.co.za or www.buylocalsummit.co.za
