Government says it will protect textile sector

DTI's Minister Rob Davies says that the investment by government of R645m in the clothing and textile industries has helped to make this sector competitive and increase the number of jobs for workers, particularly in the Western Cape. Image: GCIS

The announcement comes after employment in the footwear and leather sector showed growth of 5% between 2012 and 2014.

"What we've actually seen is that this industry has stabilised," said Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, adding that through the Competitiveness Improvement Programme R645m was contributed the clothing and textile sector.

He said the growth has stabilised the industry and enabled it to establish 11 new companies.

"In addition to the enterprise level support programmes, we have supported the National Fashion Council to the tune of R33m, the footwear and leather cluster to the tune of R79m and cotton cluster to the tune of R120m," he explained.

Davies was speaking following his visit to the House of Monatic factory in Salt River, Cape Town, which was on the brink of shutting down five years ago.

However, through the DTI's intervention, the company survived as it received support of R30m over a five-year period.

"This particular company has received support and we can see that has gone into purchasing of new machinery which has enabled the cutting operation to take place much more competitively and much more accurately than before," said Davies.

The company has bought new sewing machines and is producing uniforms for South African Airways (SAA) cabin staff.

"I think what is important about this visit is that we are able to see clear signs of what our support for the industry has done over the last five years," said Davies.

The chairman of House of Monatic, Fred Robertson, thanked Minister Davies for the assistance they have received from government. He said the assistance has enabled them to keep 800 jobs in the company.