By Sitha Maliwa:
In a bold move to revitalise South Africa’s local industries and stimulate economic growth, Proudly South African, in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), has unveiled two innovative e-commerce platforms designed to connect buyers directly with locally made goods and services.
Travelers, ethical consumers, and industry professionals alike will soon benefit from Shop Proudly SA, a new business-to-consumer (B2C) online store that allows shoppers to browse and purchase exclusively South African products. From fashion and food to home décor and artisanal crafts, the platform is a celebration of South African creativity, craftsmanship, and community.
For those in corporate procurement and hospitality supply chains, the Market Access Platform (MAP) offers a powerful tool for sourcing local suppliers. The business-to-business (B2B) portal features a database of over 2,000 verified enterprises – many of which operate in tourism-supporting industries such as food production, textiles, and design – helping hotels, lodges, tour operators, and restaurants align with local procurement goals.
“At Proudly South African, we have always sought innovative ways of galvanising public support for local enterprises to enable them to scale up, become globally competitive and create jobs,” said Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African.
“To that end, we believe that e-commerce has immense potential to overcome traditional barriers to trade and create new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.”
This development arrives at a time when global travellers are increasingly seeking out authentic, sustainable experiences – and the products that go with them. Whether it’s a handcrafted souvenir, ethically sourced clothing, or regionally produced gourmet items, Shop Proudly SA promises to be a go-to portal for both locals and international visitors eager to support South African makers.
Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, highlighted the broader economic potential of these platforms:
“These platforms will help boost support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and locally manufactured goods and services and create much-needed jobs and grow the resilience of our economy.”
With the pandemic having accelerated e-commerce adoption worldwide, South Africa is embracing the digital shift to bridge the gap between local producers and global markets.
“Through these ground-breaking platforms, we seek to make it seamless for consumers and supply chain management practitioners to source from local companies while also enabling them to meet their procurement goals,” Mashimbye added.
“By housing all these companies under one roof for consumer shopping and procurement purposes, we provide visibility to these companies, convenience to shoppers and seamless access to home-grown companies for procurement practitioners who seek to meet their localisation objectives.”
The platforms are also expected to play a vital role in job creation across the e-commerce value chain, particularly for young people, while removing the need for costly physical storefronts, making entrepreneurship more accessible to a broader population.
Statista data cited in the announcement revealed that the South African e-commerce market generated $42.4 million (R763 million) in 2023 and is forecast to reach $165.1 million (nearly R3 billion) by 2030. As the digital economy continues to grow, Proudly South African and the DTIC plan to scale the platforms to include bulk B2B sales and eventually introduce export functionality, positioning local businesses for greater global reach. – @NewsSA_Online
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