Durban Showcase Aims to Revive South African Footwear Manufacturing

Thirteen local footwear manufacturers will gather at the Coastlands Hotel Umhlanga on July 1 and 2, 2026, to pitch their production capabilities directly to major retail buyers. This industry summit marks a strategic push to bridge the gap between domestic production and national retail supply chains.

Editorial·June 29, 2026·reads: 880

Durban Showcase Aims to Revive South African Footwear Manufacturing

The event, organized by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition alongside SAFLIA and SAFLEC, functions as a practical engine for the R-CTFL Master Plan 2030. By connecting manufacturers with sourcing teams, the program targets long-term procurement agreements and sustainable job creation within the local leather and footwear sectors.

Beyond exhibition booths, the summit incorporates a panel discussion on industry competitiveness and compliance standards. The second day shifts to factory floors, where buyers will inspect production capacity and quality management systems firsthand. Dr. Tebogo Makube, Acting Deputy Director-General at the dtic, emphasized that these face-to-face engagements are vital for rebuilding the sector's industrial footprint. The initiative seeks to transition from mere dialogue to concrete supplier onboarding, ensuring local firms can meet both domestic demand and international export requirements.