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Buy local and unlock vast economic empowerment

Are we wasting a golden opportunity to inject some pride and revenue back into our country? South Africa’s local manufacturing sector has so much to offer in terms of employment, growth and development, as well as export opportunities.

There’s a global opinion that countries no longer need to industrialise to accelerate growth and development. However, in South Africa, we know that local manufacturing remains a core driver of GDP growth and direct employment opportunities.

Local manufacturing also positively impacts on the services sector, thanks to a rising demand flowing from a growing GDP. Think of peripheral industries such as medical aid organisations, property management companies, security and cleaning services, electricity departments, water and sanitation departments, insurance providers, furniture companies, stationery suppliers, the quality assurance industry, local sub-contractors, law firms, accounting firms … the list goes on.

The bottom-line is that manufacturing creates jobs, and lots of them. If just one breadwinner per average South African household is employed by the manufacturing sector, that job will support at least four other South Africans.

Export potential

Local manufacturing also generates foreign revenue for the country when the products manufactured are exported. Even products only used locally have a positive impact on the import/export trade ratio of the country.

The sector has the capacity to generate significant foreign revenue through exporting. Exporting local products has the potential to help improve the global competitiveness of South African companies and tap export-led economic growth benefits. Local organisations still feel that there is a lack of support and general apathy from government, public and private sector companies towards exporting home-grown products, but there are signs of hope.

Last year saw the launch of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Integrated National Export Strategy (INES), which aims to help improve the global competitiveness of South African exporters. The goal is to attain a 6%-a-year export growth target by 2030 envisaged by the National Development Plan (NDP).

In his state of the province address in February, the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Willies Mchunu, said that provincial government remains committed to radical economic transformation to ensure inclusive, expanded and sustained economic output that creates more jobs. The provincial government’s short-term focus, he added, would be on manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

However, local industries are saying it’s not sufficient. The agricultural industry, particularly local and independent farmers, are not getting nearly enough support. If government prioritised such businesses, it would help boost local township economies and assist locals to create employment.

Calling for interventions

The local manufacturing sector still needs government intervention to ensure its survival. Having almost been brought to its knees by an influx of cheap Chinese imports, the South African textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector has experienced a resurgence after seven long years.

This revival was as a direct result of the introduction of the government’s Clothing & Textiles Competitiveness Programme (CTCP) in 2010, which has given local industry players a much-needed shot in the arm and laid out a platform from which to launch a competitive sector.

The local manufacturing sector has endured one of the toughest economic periods over the past year. Operating in a landscape characterised by economic downgrades, strike action, competition from cheap importers, political and leadership instability, and a lack of access to export markets, have taken their toll.

We need to guard our local sector and follow a similar approach as those taken by countries such as: Russia, Israel, Australia and even the United States. Buying local does not mean compromising on quality. There are in fact several local products that are developed, engineered and manufactured far better than their imported competitors. And that’s to say nothing of the superior service and support you’ll receive as well.

Getting behind local suppliers

There are several local manufacturing companies, including ours, who are doing very well exporting products, and I do also understand the benefits of the bi-lateral trade deals, as well as the need for cost effective goods for the people of the country. But it’s still a concern that the potential to grow a strong local manufacturing sector that will benefit our country is being paid lip-service by the people who really can make a difference.

Local manufacturing has the power to unlock vast economic empowerment, growth, job creation, export opportunities and investment. As one of South Africa’s largest economic sectors and with its labour-intensive characteristics and other socio-economic benefits, it has the power to create jobs and export opportunities faster than any other sector.”

For my part, I believe that I need to practice what I preach, so I buy local wherever possible. As a consumer that supports local business, you will experience numerous benefits that you don’t get from shopping at enormous national and international chain stores. These include: healthier food products that are free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals, the sense of satisfaction that comes from putting money back into the local community, you also get a more personalised and satisfactory customer service experience.

If everyone in this country has the same mind-set, I believe this will have an immense positive effect. Right now, the clothes I am wearing are all locally manufactured (even my jeans), our home is stocked with local produce, and even the toothpaste in my bathroom is local. Can you say the same?

For more information contact Cathexis Africa, +27 31 240 0800, sales@catafrica.co.za, www.cathexisvideo.com

Gus Brecher has been involved in local manufacturing companies for more than 25 years and is a director of Cathexis Technologies, a global supplier of video surveillance management software systems.

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