Page 15 - 20 Cotton SA December 2019

/ INDUSTRY

An interactive panel discussion with the
original pilot programme stakeholders, which
included Cotton SA, represented by Hennie
Bruwer (CEO of Cotton SA) and Leonard
Venter (Chairperson: Cotton SA), Mairi
Watson (MRPG), Justin Mansfield (Powerhouse
Clothing), Enrique Crouse (Prilla 2000), Joseph
Kempen (Loskop Cotton Gin) and Elaine Smith
(the dti) – facilitated by Heinrich Schultz (CEO
and founder of OrganiMark Group).
The MRPG team – proud recipients of two certificates.
Back: Matthew Morris, Sue Samie, Jacky Miller, Natasja
Ambrosio, Paulina Urban and Dylan Cherry. Front: Kerry
Strauss, Yanni Vosloo, Mairi Watson, Letlatsa Lehana
(Head of the Khula Credit Guarantee) and Shaun Gannon.

the local textile industry, and outlined the five years. MRPG was the leading retailer
importance of collaboration in achieving in establishing the SACC (originally known
the set goal of the 2030 South African as the Sustainable Cotton Cluster) in 2013,
Retail – Clothing, Textiles, Leather and working closely with government, industry
Footwear (CTLF) Master Plan. Dr Roelof and farmers to create a locally sustainable
Botha, a well-known economist, provided cotton industry – one that boosts capacity,
an insightful overview of the South African creates employment opportunities, and is
economic situation in agriculture and the able to compete globally.
textile manufacturing sectors. Natasja “Our dream is to see more South African
Ambrosio from MRPG, the platinum cotton products being manufactured from
sponsor to the event, emphasised their locally grown cotton,” said Natasja
commitment to the industry by supporting Ambrosio (Head of Sustainability, MRPG).
upcoming black smallholder farmers. To make this dream a reality, MRPG
Other presenters included Anubhava supports small-scale cotton farmers to
Kumar Katiyar (CEO of CMT Spinning grow cotton, and together with Khula
Mills Ltd, Mauritius), Lisa Barratt (BCI Credit Guarantee, were one of the three
– Africa Operations Manager), Noël recipients in the category Transformation
Paulson (Edcon group), Lawrence Pillay and Development. Through financing
(Woolworths) and Ian Taverner (SACC). arrangements, the group helps the flow of
Mr Price Group said that it was proud local cotton from farmer to product, which
to be a strategic partner during the 2019 includes cotton ginners, spinners and
Cotton Industry and Indaba Awards. manufacturers.
The theme for the prestigious awards, “Mr Price Group recognises the
“Can’t Stop Cotton” was in line with the importance of local cotton farmers in the
significant growth in cotton production whole value chain, and wholly supports
experienced in South Africa over the past the growth of the local cotton industry

Volume 21 No 4 December 2019 | 15