A powerful coalition of textile and fashion industry leaders from across South Africa and beyond gathered recently in Cape Town and Johannesburg for the latest Texpertise & Allfashion Sourcing Networking Functions. Hosted by Messe Frankfurt South Africa and supported by the global Texpertise Network, the events served as a strategic build-up to Allfashion Sourcing (AFS) 2025, which will take place from 8–10 July 2025 at the CTICC 1 in Cape Town.
As a leading knowledge-sharing platform in Southern Africa, Allfashion Sourcing continues to drive meaningful conversations around sustainability, inclusivity, trade opportunities, and regional competitiveness. These networking sessions brought together policymakers, manufacturers, retailers, and trade advocates to explore the state of the industry and chart a path forward.
Industry Voices & Insightful Dialogue
In Cape Town, keynote speakers included Jean Scheltema (WESGRO), Courtney Grant (Cape Town Clothing and Textile Cluster), Michael Lawrence (National Clothing Retail Federation), and Olaf Schmidt (Messe Frankfurt). Each emphasised the need for collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity across the value chain.
Courtney Grant highlighted the success of the local cluster in creating 27,000 jobs, 80% of which are held by women and women of colour, marking two decades of transformation and local competitiveness. Michael Lawrence called for green economy integration and improved support for SMEs, while Olaf Schmidt affirmed Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to sustainable growth in Africa.
In Johannesburg, industry leaders such as Mark Goliath (IDC), Eustace Mashimbye (Proudly South African), Jenny Marie Tala (GTAI), and Olaf Schmidt continued the momentum. They addressed the implications of global trade shifts, particularly the impact of US tariffs and uncertainty around the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Jenny Tala stressed that 17% of South Africa’s textile and apparel exports to the US currently benefit from AGOA’s duty-free access, but recent tariffs threaten that advantage. She advocated for diversified exports and renewed trade agreements. Eustace Mashimbye reaffirmed Proudly SA’s commitment to supporting local products through campaigns like Local Fashion Police, Buy Local Summit, and e-commerce partnerships.
“We continue to advocate for consumer education and market access for local producers to safeguard and grow employment,” Mashimbye said. Mark Goliath echoed this sentiment, stating: “The opportunities for regional trade outweigh the associated risks.”
Factory Visits Highlight Innovation
Delegates also visited leading manufacturers including K-Way in Cape Town and Aranda Textile Mills in Randfontein. These visits showcased homegrown innovations and commitment to sustainable, high-quality production.
“Our networking events highlighted the vibrancy and global connectivity of South Africa’s textile sector,” said Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa. “The originality and creativity here position the region as a confident, competitive player in the global fashion market.”
All Eyes on Allfashion Sourcing 2025
As anticipation builds for Allfashion Sourcing 2025, the exhibition is expected to bring together over 100 exhibitors from across the textiles and fashion value chain, including:
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Textiles, fabrics, yarns
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Leather goods, accessories
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Home textiles and finished garments
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Sustainable fashion and circular design
The event will also feature daily fashion shows, industry panels, and the highly anticipated Young Designer Competition, themed “Creativity Through the Lens of Africa”. With prizes exceeding R270,000, the competition offers a career-launching platform for emerging designers focused on sustainability and African storytelling.
As Messe Frankfurt South Africa continues to lead with purpose, the energy and insights from the networking events signal a bold and collaborative future for Africa’s textile and fashion industries — with Allfashion Sourcing 2025 at the centre of it all.
