To combat the entrenched, growing inequality, unemployment and poverty in South Africa, more small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) should be included in the economy and greater levels of localisation must be pursued.

This was a key message that emerged from presentations delivered at the recent Proudly South African (PSA) Buy Local Summit & Expo.

Speaking at the summit, in Johannesburg, PSA CEO Eustace Mashimbye lamented that the country had a high level of imported products, which resulted in a loss of local production and jobs in the country.

To counteract this, he encouraged increased local buying, facilitated predominantly by SMMEs, as this would create more jobs.

“Thriving economies around the world are built on strong SMMEs.”

As part of its mandate, PSA aims to provide access to the market for SMMEs.

As part of initiatives to broaden market access for SMMEs, PSA developed an online shopping store, RSA Made, which offers an online platform to showcase local brands.

The platform provides access to high-quality, vetted local products. Listing on the website was free for PSA members, Mashimbye enthused.

This platform could facilitate job retention and create a multiplier effect.

Another means to gaining market access for SMMEs is through public-sector support. Mashimbye indicated that government had outlined 23 products which had to be locally produced and that this presented an opportunity for SMMEs. The list is available on the Department of Trade and Industry’s website.

Moreover, PSA is also facilitating greater market access by migrating its database to the central supplier database by the end of this year to position its members as potential suppliers to government.

Further, PSA also hosts procurement forums to enhance market access.

The Buy Local Summit was highlighted as an important platform in strengthening market access for SMMEs.

Small Business Development Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale said the expo served as a platform to showcase and prove that South Africa had the necessary capabilities and capacity to provide high-quality products and services.

The summit featured over 200 PSA member companies showcasing their local products and services, as well as panel discussions and presentations.

Also speaking at the summit was Brand Leadership Group founder and CEO Thebe Ikalafeng, who spoke on the important topic of African brands and how these were challenging global brands.