PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
01 March 2023

 

Launch of the #buylocal campaign to support local businesses on the KZN South Coast

 

In its effort to drive economic growth in the KZN South Coast, South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) has launched the #buylocal campaign. This local-first initiative encourages communities and stakeholders to support local businesses, grow existing investments and thereby encourage job creation.

This forms part of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the DTIC) Buy Back SA initiative that encourages local business support as a way to create jobs and secure the country’s future by making it much more self-reliant.

“We need to shift the mindset that suppliers beyond our borders are better than our own,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), the official economic development arm of the KZN South Coast. “The KZN South Coast offers a distinctive local flavour with suppliers manufacturing and providing goods that meet local market needs. There is an incredible amount of talent and skill which, through support, will only flourish and grow.”

Mangcu said that sourcing local ingredients and materials will be a game-changer for the local and national economy: “By buying local, we’re strengthening the local economy, building communities, and forming a solid and resilient network that will withstand any future uncertainties. Considering the economic devastation of the recent pandemic, resilience in the local economy is absolutely essential. Be a proud local and buy local!”

Top 7 reasons to buy local

1. There’s a decrease in fossil fuel use when buying locally as it decreases the transportation needs from manufacturer to buyer.

2. Supporting local businesses creates a greater sense of community as sellers and manufacturers get to know their buyers, and vice versa.

3. Supporting the #buylocal campaign creates many more local jobs and boosts the local economy.

4. Buying locally grown produce is better for the environment and better for you as it’s farm-to-fork fresh.

5. Local businesses are identifiable, accessible, and more accountable than outside counterparts.

6. Buying local creates a much more resilient local economy, allowing organisations and communities to better withstand times of economic uncertainty.

7. Through the #buylocal campaign, the KZN South Coast is ‘growing its pride’ to attract interest and investment from beyond local borders.

Extending from Port Shepstone, the area’s economic hub, throughout the KZN South Coast, there are so many investment opportunities. To find out more about these, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.  Keep updated on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. Follow #unlimitedopportunities #investkznsouthcoast #investment and #kznsouthcoast! And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases.

 

/ENDS

 

All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct image credit is
included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.

High resolution images are available upon request.
(Images: Supplied by SCTIE)

Mushroom Factory in KwaNositha.

Nemvelo Farm, an organic farm in Izotsha.

The Waffle House Deli & Takeaway.​

Mushroom Factory in KwaNositha.

Out of Wood Furniture Manufacturers in Manaba.

Mushroom Factory in KwaNositha.

 

About KZN South Coast

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title of ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

 

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za