GroundUp reports that according to the Textile Federation (TexFed), the decision to manufacture new uniforms for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) entirely in SA will create much needed jobs in the textile and clothing industry.

The new uniforms will be made locally in line with government regulations designed to bolster the clothing industry. Initially, the special fabric needed for the uniforms was imported, but now local manufacturers are being taught how to make it. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which has been leading the new design of the uniforms, says it is talking to local textile manufacturers to supply the material for the uniforms. Brian Brink, executive director at Texfed, said the project would help grow the local textile and clothing industry and create “desperately needed employment opportunities”. Simon Eppel, researcher at the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu), said this development would ensure that local job opportunities were created and preserved. This was especially the case with state institutions, which had a responsibility to meet minimum thresholds for local content when procuring large orders, such as the SANDF uniforms. Problems with uniforms and boots were first raised by SANDF soldiers more than three years ago in 2018 after a deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trials for the new model uniforms started in June this year and the full provision is scheduled from December. New boots for soldiers have been supplied since the beginning of July.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liezl Human at GroundUp

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