Pretoria - Government is committed to protecting the country’s clothing and textile sector which has shown growth in recent years, says the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
This as employment in the footwear and leather sector showed growth of 5% between 2012 and 2014.
“What we've actually seen is that this industry to a high degree has stabilised,” said Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, adding that through the Competitiveness Improvement Programme R645 million was contributed the sector.
He said the growth has stabilised the industry and enabled it to establish 11 new companies.
“In addition to the enterprise level support programs we have supported the National Fashion Council to the tune of R33 million, the footwear and leather cluster to the tune of R79 million and cotton cluster to the tune of R120 million,” he explained.
The minister was speaking following his visit to the House of Monatic factory in Salt River, Cape Town, which was on the brink of shutting down five years ago.
However, through the dti’s intervention, the company survived as it received support of R30 million over a five-year period.
“This particular company has received support and we can see that has gone into purchasing acquisition of new machinery which has enabled the cutting operation to take place much more competitively and much more accurately than before,” said Minister Davies.
The company has acquired new sewing machines and is producing uniforms for South African Airways (SAA) cabin staff.
The dti was visiting factories with the aim of promoting manufacturing.
“I think what is important about this visit is that we are able to see concretely on the ground what are the outcomes of some of the measures which we’ve been putting in place as government over the last five years,” said Minister Davies.
The chairperson of House of Monatic, Fred Robertson, thanked Minister Davies for the assistance they have received from government. He said the assistance has enabled them to keep 800 jobs in the company. – SAnews.gov.za
