Page 5 - 03 Cotton SA February 2014

Nuus - News

Government approves the Southern African

Sustainable Cotton Textile and Apparel Cluster

On 28 November 2013, National Government approved a 5 Year Business Plan and R200million
Grant Funding for the establishment of a National Cluster for the South African Cotton, Textile
and Apparel Sector.

Background approved the competitiveness improvement
The Cluster initiative is funded by Government interventions. It was further resolved that Heinrich Schultz
through its Competitiveness Improvement Cotton SA will fulfi l the role of Cluster Cluster Manager
Programme (CIP) as part of the overall Organisation and that Mr Heinrich Schultz be
Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness appointed as Cluster Manager. The Task Team
Programme (CTCP). The CTCP is a programme then proceeded with the compilation of the
of the Department of Trade and Industry Cluster Business Plan and submitted the CIP and Steering Committee will consist of
(“the dti”) to stabilise employment and to application to the CTCP desk at the IDC in nominated Cluster Members from each of
improve overall competitiveness in the September 2013. The CTCP Desk conducted its the Industry Stakeholder Groups (including
clothing, textile, footwear, leather and leather due diligence in October and November 2013 Government), and will take the responsibility
goods manufacturing industries. The CIP is and presented the application to the Project for the operational governance and strategic
administered by the CTCP Desk at the IDC on Approval Panel (PAP) on the 28th of November direction of the Cluster. It will further nominate
behalf of the dti. 2013. one or more representatives to serve on the
In January 2013, Cotton SA and the South board of the Cluster Organisation (Cotton SA).
African Cotton Producers’ Organisation Cluster Governance
(SACPO) took the lead in linking up with various Cluster Organisation (Non-profi t Company) Cluster Objectives
likeminded sector stakeholders to formulate Cotton SA will fulfi l the role of Cluster
the concept ideas for establishing a National Organisation, providing the Regulatory The main aim of this Cluster initiative is to
Cluster. This was done under the guidance of Foundation for the implementation of the build and improve the capacity in the South
supply chain specialist Mr Heinrich Schultz. A CIP contract with IDC. As a well- established African Cotton, Textile and Apparel industry
Cluster Task Team, consisting of industry value Non-profi t Company (NPC), it can provide value chain to eff ectively supply:
chain stakeholders representing the entire eff ective and effi cient infrastructure for • Local and international consumers with
sector from fi bre producers to retail, was set regulatory governance such as the Secretariat, fully traceable sustainable cotton and
up to conduct a thorough market analysis fi nancial management, record keeping and allied apparel and household textile
followed by a detailed competitiveness reporting. Cotton SA will co-opt one or more products, and
analysis. • Local Government with fully traceable
representatives from the Cluster Board onto its
On the 2nd of August 2013, the Cluster board for as long as it fulfi ls the role of Cluster cotton and allied garments and household
convened its fi rst interim cluster board meeting Organisation. textiles with 100% local content.
consisting of the Task Team, Cotton SA board The Cluster will further aim to establish a
members and Government representatives. National Sector Body for sustainable textiles
This was indeed a historical meeting for Cluster Board and apparel that represents the entire
the Sector with representation covering The Cluster Board, Steering Committee and industry value chain from fi bre producers
the entire value chain as well as Organized Cluster Manager will provide the Operational to consumers. The Sector Body will bring
Labour, Consumers and service providers. This Foundation for the implementation of together like-minded sector leaders to work
meeting endorsed the development plan and the CIP Contract with IDC. The Board
>>7

Katoen SA Cotton 5 Februarie • February 2014