Proudly South African urges consumers to make a difference to unemployment this Christmas

About 30% of consumer spend takes place over this period, and the Proudly South African campaign has launched a special drive to encourage people to buy local music, clothing, appliances and crafts for Christmas.

Research indicates that for every R1-million of consumer expenditure on local rather than imported products, between 8 and 22 jobs can be created for a year.

The Christmas version of the logo will be available to the campaign's member companies to use in their Christmas advertising and promotions.

"By buying Proudly South African, you can make a personal contribution to protecting South African jobs. At the same time you can be sure you are getting a quality product," says Proudly South African CEO Martin Feinstein.

Feinstein said special banners would be put up in major shopping centres to remind people of the campaign. A million leaflets would also be distributed to employees throughout the country urging them to support the campaign.

More than 40 Proudly South African flags will be flown at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, where hundreds of locally made products are being accredited to carry the PSA logo.

The Cape Town Fashion Festival, running from December 1 to 7, will also highlight the campaign and focus media and clothing industry attention on local fashion and textiles.

A number of personalities, ranging from soapie actors to sportspeople, will also make personal commitments to the campaign and to buy local products for Christmas gifts.

About Proudly South African

Association Incorporated Not For Gain (Reg. No. 2001/021636/08)

Proudly South African is an exciting campaign to promote South African companies, products and services, which are helping to create jobs and economic growth in our country. Proudly South African is an initiative of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and is supported by organised business, organised labour, government and the community.

Chairman of the campaign is well-known broadcaster, journalist and media personality, Tim Modise.