This week Proudly South African, a government initiative to campaign for local production in order to help grow the South African economy, hosted the 2019 Buy Local Summit & Expo at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Since SAB has been, and continues to work with as many local supply chains as possible, this was a great opportunity to showcase SAB’s commitment to our country’s growth and transformation, as well as network with other Proudly South African members.

ABOUT THE BUY LOCAL SUMMIT & EXPO

The Buy Local message is an enduring call to action for the public and private sectors, businesses, government entities and consumers to drive localisation through investment led re-industrialisation and support.

Buying locally grown, produced or manufactured goods and services stimulates economic growth, which in turn helps businesses to grow, thereby creating jobs. A goal SAB has prioritised as one of their 2025 Sustainability Goals.

This was the 8th annual Proudly SA Buy Local Summit, and hosted over 200 exhibitors, including SAB Entrepreneurship and the World of Beer, every one of them an accredited Proudly South African member.

From large corporations to small artisanal producers, the first day, 12 March 2019, was devoted to SMMEs and entrepreneurs. This day included a keynote address by the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Cassel Mathale, where he urged consumers to consciously buy goods and services that are produced by SA companies and especially those who bear the logo of Proudly SA.

There was a great line up of presentors that were addressing SMMEs and entrepreneurs and giving them relevant tips and advice on setting up and even more important on sustaining their businesses in order that they grow and become the employers of tomorrow.

Day 2, 13 March 2019, focused on the business of local procurement under the theme ‘Driving Localisation through investment led re-industrialisation’. This included an address by Thandi Pele, DDG Industrial Development Division, Department of Trade & Industry.where she highlighted improvements in the level of localisation in the Technology, Retail, Agricultural sectors.

Zoleka Lisa, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at SAB, AB InBev Africa, noted that the summit plays a significant role in refreshing the country’s perspective on business and supply chain management. By shifting our finances and support to procure local goods and services, whether you’re a big or small company, these steps can create seismic waves in the growth of our country.

“With 97% of all the goods and services that go into our brands, coming right here from South Africa, we fully understand the importance of the buy local movement.” – Zoleka Lisa.