Proudly South African has announced the line-up for its 2022 Buy Local Summit and Expo, a free-to-attend hybrid event which will be streamed live from the Industrial Development Corporation offices (IDC) in Sandton between 14 and 16 March 2022.

As the 10th edition of Proudly SA’s flagship event and second virtual offering, the theme of this year’s Summit is “Reset, Rebuild and Recover”, which aims to showcase the significant role of localisation as a driver of economic reconstruction and recovery.

At the launch event held  today at 22 on Sloane, Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African, notes that localisation is a central pillar of the country’s economic recovery plans, as highlighted by President Ramaphosa in his recent State of the Nation Address.

“Through stimulating demand for locally manufactured goods in industries such as steel, poultry, sugar, furniture and clothing, government hopes to revitalise South Africa’s manufacturing base and significantly boost job creation,” he says.

“The Summit will play a key role in supporting these efforts by showcasing the wide range of quality and competitive South African goods and services on offer. It will also aim to educate consumers and corporates on the considerable benefits of localisation, while offering small business owners and entrepreneurs training workshops and networking opportunities with the aim of driving industrialisation and supporting local businesses.”

What’s In Store

The 2022 Summit will offer a dynamic and informative programme, including sessions on technical innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and job creation, and the benefits and impact of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on localisation, job creation and economic growth.

There will be a brand-new virtual exhibition floor for participants, especially buyers,  to explore the diverse range of locally produced goods and services on offer. It will also offer consumer activations, educational workshops, and a Business Solutions Hub.

Other significant content elements of the event include a closer look at both the local furniture and automotive industries, the value chain behind vehicle manufacturing, and a session on the dynamics of local family businesses.

The first day of the Summit, brought to you by the Department of Small Business Development, will emphasise the significant role of small businesses  in the South African economy, with a workshop on pitching for government business, in light of the local procurement regulations and provisions in the public sector.

The second day of the Buy Local Summit will offer informative sessions on the pros and cons of localisation, and the application of BEE codes to help drive localisation, as well as a closer look at who Mzansi designers are dressing on the local and international stage.

The final day of the Summit promises a variety of practical workshops for entrepreneurs and business owners, with tips on solving common business challenges such as finding the best staff for your business, securing investors, and ensuring that your intellectual property is protected.

Day three will also feature the fourth annual Business Solutions Hub, which offers live assistance to small businesses from various organisations and regulatory and legislative institutions.  Organisations and institutions. These include the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the B-BBEE Commission, and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa.

“The 2022 Buy Local Summit and Expo promises to be of significant benefit to consumers, entrepreneurs, business owners, and the public sector alike, exploring the importance of buying local for the reigniting of the South African economy,” states Mashimbye.

The Buy Local Summit and Expo is free to attend and will be streamed on YouTube. Visitors can register online for the event at www.buylocalsummit.co.za.