Pretoria - Proudly SA today kicks off its national "buy local" education drive road show aimed at educating the public about the positive spin-offs of buying local goods and services.
The year-long initiative will start with a business forum, followed by mall activation and meetings with stokvel groups, church bodies and schools.
The first drive kicks off today in Mpumalanga, with a business forum to be held this evening at the White River Lodge where entry will be free with limited seating.
The road shows will run from 11 May 2012 to March 2013.
The mall activation will take place at the Ilanga Mall in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga at the weekend, where dancer and entertainer Somizi will perform the newly choreographed "Proudly SA Makoya Mnzansi dance".
The road shows will be run under the theme "Be Proudly South African - Buy Local to Create Jobs".
For each of the country's provinces, the road shows will kick off with a business forum, followed by mall promotions, expos and meetings with stokvel groups, church bodies, community organisations and schools.
"Members of the public are encouraged to take part in the planned road show activities around the country. Local manufacturers will be on hand to showcase their locally produced products and services at the malls. There will also be local songs and dance performances at the malls, along with competitions and giveaways," said Proudly SA.
Other mall activations with Somizi will be at Cape Town's Cape Gateway Mall from 19 - 20 May; Durban's Gateway Mall from 26 - 27 May and Johannesburg's Maponya Mall from 23 - 24 June.
The road show moves to Kimberly's Diamond Route Mall on 13 -14 October; Upington Mall on 20 - 21 October as well as at East London's Main Mall from 17 - 18 November.
Proudly SA seeks to strongly influence procurement in public and private sectors, to increase local production and stimulate job creation. This is in line with government's plans to revive the economy so that five million jobs can be created and unemployment decreased to 15% over the next 10 years under the New Growth Path.
The campaign fits in with the broader national developmental agenda and the recently signed Local Procurement Accord.
The accord, signed in October 2011, is a pact that seeks to boost local industries and create more jobs through localised procurement. It was signed by government, business, labour unions and community bodies. These role players have committed themselves to increasing the number of goods and services bought locally to 75%.
