The Economic Development and Trade Portfolio Committee, led by Chairperson Mr. Yunus Carrim, has applauded the launch of the Proudly SA e‑commerce platform as a powerful tool to drive local economic growth and support South Africa’s manufacturing sector.
Mr. Carrim said the new online marketplace significantly reduces barriers for local producers by giving them a dedicated digital space to showcase and sell their products. He emphasised that the platform “comes at a critical time when localisation must form the frontline of our industrial policy” and stressed how it promises to open fresh commercial opportunities for both small and large Proudly SA‑certified businesses.
The rollout benefits from strong government backing. Minister Parks Tau, speaking at the launch, underscored the dual imperative of job creation and industrial sovereignty. He noted that South Africa’s e‑commerce sector is projected to reach R225 billion by 2025, and that the platform “helps ensure that local manufacturers share in that growth, rather than being sidelined by imports”.
Launched in Sandton earlier this week, the site features a wide range of goods—from homeware and textiles to agriproducts and artisanal items—all proudly bearing the locally‑made Proudly SA mark. Carrim welcomed the initiative as a further step towards changing procurement and consumer buying patterns in favour of domestic value chains. He also pledged that Parliament’s committee would continue monitoring how effectively the platform supports local suppliers, especially marginalised producers in rural and township economies.
The committee hopes this digital marketplace will seamlessly integrate with existing Proudly SA services such as the Market Access Platform, capacity‑building workshops, and export linkages. Carrim added that full commercial and policy support would remain in place to ensure the platform meets its objectives of boosting demand for local goods, creating jobs, and empowering youth, women, and small‑scale entrepreneurs.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Carrim urged both consumers and institutions to “buy local” not just as a slogan but as a practical means to revitalise South Africa’s economy and build a truly inclusive industrial base.
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