Heritage Month: Choosing local can uplift communities and secure jobs

As South Africans celebrate Heritage Month, a powerful reminder emerges: our purchasing choices greatly influence the vibrancy of our communities and the resilience of our economy.

This September, local initiatives are urging consumers to reflect on how a single shopping decision can have a profound impact, particularly in light of the struggles faced by small businesses.

“Every rand spent locally is a vote for jobs,” asserts Sandi Richardson, HR Executive at RCS.

With nearly 3 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) employing more than 13 million South Africans, particularly in townships and rural areas, local businesses are truly the backbone of the economy.

Yet, many of these enterprises grapple with significant challenges. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of supporting local, a staggering 56% of SMEs operate informally, underscoring the need for robust community backing.

“Supporting local isn’t just patriotic, it’s powerful,” Richardson adds. “Every rand spent with a South African business is an investment in our people, our culture and our resilience as a nation.” By choosing locally crafted goods, consumers aren't merely purchasing products; they are actively contributing to job creation and the preservation of cultural traditions.

In recent years, the drive towards buying local has gained momentum, with more South Africans favouring sustainably sourced, home-grown products that range from fresh produce to innovative township brands. Acknowledging this trend, Richardson encourages South Africans to harness their power as consumers. “It’s time we rally behind the entrepreneurs who keep our economy moving, just as we cheer our national sports teams,” she notes.

However, a recent report from the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) highlights the very real threat posed by the rise of international online retailers, which has displaced over 8,000 jobs within the country over the past five years. This statistic serves as a stark reminder of how crucial it is for consumers to wield their purchasing power wisely and responsibly.

The impact of community-focused initiatives is already being felt through organisations like the Small Enterprise Foundation (SEF). Founded in 1992 to combat extreme poverty, SEF has empowered nearly 6 million women to improve their lives by facilitating access to finance and skills development. By adopting a model inspired by the Grameen Bank, SEF provides group loans as a stepping stone for female entrepreneurs, cultivating a sense of collective responsibility that embodies Ubuntu.

Through financial support alongside education programmes tackling issues like gender-based violence and HIV, SEF exemplifies how investing in local women not only transforms individual lives but also uplifts entire communities. This ripple effect is a vital aspect of economic viability, as each empowered woman contributes to the overall health of her community.

As Heritage Month progresses, Richardson encourages consumers to take concrete steps to support local initiatives. Here are four actionable ways to make your spending count:

• Buy local first: Choose proudly South African products.
• Click local: Support home-grown online retailers.
• Talk up entrepreneurs: Share their stories on social media.
• Show up: Back community events that celebrate local culture and business.

“Heritage Month is the perfect reminder that every purchase is a vote for the kind of future we want to build," Richardson asserts passionately. "By choosing to buy local, you support livelihoods while celebrating the unique character of our communities.”

Richardson concludes with a challenge to her fellow South Africans: “For the rest of September, choose one local alternative for every purchase you make. If we all did this, we wouldn't just be celebrating our heritage - we'd be building it. Thriving local businesses drive innovation, preserve traditions, and ensure our heritage remains vibrant for generations to come.”

BUSINESS REPORT