By Annalie Language
As you prepare to draw up your festive season shopping list, remember the power of your rand and buy local. When you put locally made home grown South African products into your trolley you are supporting our economy and the growth of our nation.
By buying a locally made product from a business in your area, owned and managed by people who live and work in the community, we are investing in the broader development of our country.
This is more than shopping at a local business for something manufactured in South Africa, it is about keeping jobs in our country and building a strong and vibrant country.
Every purchase has a knock-on effect, stimulating demand for local products and services and creating, or at least safeguarding jobs. It begins to build our industries and reduces our reliance on imports which stops money going out of the country.
“For the economy to grow and for jobs to be created, it is essential that there is a substantial increase in domestic demand. This means that South African companies, government and consumers must buy local,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The president added: “If we do not buy the food that comes out of South African soil, there will be no farms and no farmworkers. If we do not buy the goods made by South African hands, there will be no factories and no workers.”
If every one of us consciously buys home-grown goods and services, it becomes part of a collective effort that moves us closer towards the elimination of the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Government is encouraging South Africans to invest in the local economy this festive season by buying locally made goods and services. It’s a fairly simple thing to achieve but even simple things need decisive action.
In this case, it may involve such pleasurable things such as drinking a wine from our very own vineyards in the Western Cape, dressing up in locally designed fashion items, and stocking up on biltong or listening to a CD of a favourite South African artist. Local has always been lekker.
Buying Proudly South African products also means we do so with a clear conscience because our labour legislation ensures that locally made products are a result of fair labour practices and wages.
Furthermore, thanks to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), South Africans have the assurance that home-grown products are of the highest quality – this dispels the misperception that they could be of inferior quality.
A strong demand for home-grown goods and services can provide the necessary impetus for our overall economic growth and job creation. It can assist our local businesses to regain lost ground from the COVID-19 pandemic and move us closer to reigniting our economy in these challenging times.
Government as a big buyer in the local economy is also directing its spending towards goods produced here, including services to stimulate production in the economy. Through the Preferential Public Procurement Framework, government is committed to buy certain goods and services only if they were produced locally and has set technical specifications to assist.
These include, among others buses, power pylons, railway rolling stock, pharmaceuticals, set-top boxes for televisions, clothing, and certain food products, as well as office and school furniture. Through these efforts we are helping directs billions of rand to local manufacturers who are at the heart of the economy.
Moreover, through support initiatives such as the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme, government is promoting the ability of the local manufacturing industry to compete against imports and exporters in other markets. These initiative also aims to retain jobs in the manufacturing sector.
We all know that change often starts on an individual level and by shopping for made in South Africa, we can have a lasting impact on our economy. By choosing to buy local you will do more than just simply filling up your Christmas stocking. You will be investing in our future development and spreading the festive cheer.
Annalie Language is Acting Director: Communication Resource Centre at GCIS
