The year is 2025 and the unemployment stats sit at 32.1% according to an article by the Presidency^[1]. What’s that got to do with Valentine’s Day or the month of love you ask?

Well, if you ask us, Proudly South African, the guardians of the national buy local campaign, it has everything to do with national pride if you call yourself a South African.

The beautiful bouquets of roses, ribbons, chocolates, teddy bears, and endless glasses of wine are crucial to the month of love and spoiling your dear significant other or just having a good time for Galetine’s. But and that’s a very big but, we ask you as a consumer how do you show love for your country during the month of love.

It’s important to acknowledge your role as a consumer, with purchasing power on the impact you have in building a resilient economy through supporting local businesses. In essence, when you purchase a locally manufactured product that wasn’t manufactured in South Africa, you are ideally creating a demand for said product in that country, which in turn creates a job in said country.

This year let’s change the status quo and show love for our country by celebrating the month of love by buying from and supporting local businesses. If you need a nudge in the right direction, don’t fret we have the perfect suggestions for you!

Keep it sweet with local chocolatiers such as Mokka Chocolates, and if you’re looking for a vegan alternative Rrraw chocolate is the perfect sweet treat. Jewellery is always a winner with the ladies, so if you are thinking precious jewels, pearls, silver, and gold; Isa B Jewellery Designs, NQ Jewellery and African Mamas Crafts are your go-to for that special touch to seal your love. The perfect gift for any refined palate is a local bottle of wine, which you can get from any Proudly South African winery such as Amari Wines, Luc Mo Wines and Siwela Wines. And for a little adult fun, try Liquid Gold Lube and Intimate Lushka for a thrilling ride. 

And to top it all off, a few petals here and there from Bleu Rose will surely make it a memorable local month of love.