In South Africa, the fashion sector faces a challenge. Theres a pressing need to adopt more sustainable and eco-friendly practices, not just for environmental concerns but also to address socioeconomic issues.
Homegrown fashion that focuses on sustainability, commonly known as slow fashion, has to vie with inexpensive imports made largely of synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels.
Sustainability cannot be separated from social equity. When opting for locally sourced textiles and products, we not only support the domestic economy but also stimulate job growth, fortify communities and curtail the environmental toll of imported fashion.
As it stands, South Africa relies heavily on imported textiles and finished goods. A government-authorised report titled Designing Climate-Compatible Industrial Strategies for South Africa The Textiles Value Chain reveals that in 2018, retail sales of imported apparel, shoes and textiles surpassed R175 billion.
Meanwhile, the countrys 800 local clothing producers generated a starkly lesser revenue of R19 billion during the same period. In addition, the non-profit GreenCape notes that textiles account for approximately 6 of the total waste in the nations landfills.
