S. Africans encouraged to buy local goods

Senior government officials on Wednesday called on South Africans to buy local goods as a means to create jobs, grow the economy and fight poverty.

Delivering a keynote address at the 2016 Proudly South African Buy Local Summit in Johannesburg, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should check the labels in shops before buying.

"This is wonderful initiative and many South Africans should embrace it. When you buy locally made goods, it increases the level of employment and it means local people get jobs and then they earn decent wages," he said.

Buying local goods also ensures that jobs be created, money circulated and finally more taxes, the deputy president said.

He said it has been proven worldwide that Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can drive economic growth.

He said that South African entrepreneurs should be innovative,improve skills and produce internationally competitive and quality products and services.

Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said on the same occasion that the government has passed laws which oblige departments to procure locally produced goods.

He challenged the private sector to join the buy-local campaign, saying "it is no longer optional but compulsory."

Proudly South African CEO Leslie Sedibe said that by buying local goods and services, South Africans are promoting the country's future.

Over 150 South African companies joined the annual event, which is meant to influence the public and private sector to increase local procurement and production. Enditem