Page 38 - 21 Cotton SA February 2020

/ PRODUKTE EN LEEFSTYL

THE RETAIL, CLOTHING,

TEXTILE, FOOTWEAR,

AND LEATHER

(R-CTFL) value chain’s master plan

by Helena Claassens and Tanya Aucamp, Cotton SA

overnmental changes brought about plan to change the way the local industry operates
in the South African retail industry down the value chain. This initiative sparked off
through the domestic R-CTFL value a revival of the industry through the promotion
chain master plan have brought of the “Buy local” campaign, preventing illegal
Ghope for the textile industry, which imports, and a commitment by big clothing
has endured a turbulent period. The country's retailers to buy an additional 85 million units of
once-mighty apparel and textile sector, which locally manufactured clothes, shoes and leather
employed 200 000 people in 1987, has been goods over the next few years.
halved with dozens of factories closing, and The R-CTFL master plan was signed off at the
manufacturers who are currently struggling as South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton
the market is flooded with cheap imports. South in November 2019, by the government, labour
Africa's textile and apparel industry is no longer unions, the Foschini Group, Pepkor, Edcon, Mr
what it used to be. Price Group and Woolworths, among others.
Government, through an interactive and Government pledged to take decisive action in
inclusive stakeholder engagement process the R-CTFL master plan against illegal imports,
facilitated by the dti (the Department of Trade and and unions have committed to make adjustments
Industry), drafted the R-CTFL value chain master in the employment environment, which would

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