The task was simple; slip on an existing South African-made items from their wardrobe, snap a selfie of themselves wearing the item, including the label of origin (showing that it’s made in Mzansi), tag the shop and/or the designer and post on Proudly SA’s social media platforms. The judges selected four finalists and put on a star-studded fashion-meets-music extravaganza on the 30th of November to celebrate South Africa’s official Buy Local campaign Proudly South Afrian’s 21st anniversary in true Mzansi style! The event was hosted to celebrate the organisation’s birthday and their contribution to increasing awareness of the importance of buying local.

Hosted at The Forum in Bryanston, Johannesburg, the fun-filled evening was in the form of a fashion show which saw four members of the public walking the catwalk showcasing designs by local designers including Sello Medupe of Scalo Designs, Mapholo Ratau of Ledikana, Biji Gibbs of Biji La Maison de Couture and Hangwani Nengovhela of Rubicon.
The fashion show was the culmination of Proudly SA’s Local Fashion Police competition, a consumer competition aimed at creating social media awareness on South Africa’s fashion. The four winners each got R20 000 of uniquely designed local fashion from these designers, courtesy of Proudly SA.

Guests were treated to a surprise performance from kwaito legend M’du Masilela who performed his all-time hits Local is Lekker, Mazola and Dipabi among many others. The fun-filled evening saw some of Mzansi’s well-known and loved personalities from across different sectors, including media veterans Dan Moyane, Shado Twala & Nothemba Madumo, Candice Modiselle, Zizo Tshwete, Nhlanhla Mafu, Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala, TT Mbha, Theo Nhlengethwa, legendary actor Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, Lesley Mofokeng, queer extraordinaire Thami Dish and the evening’s MC, Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi.

Tshwane-based DJ DaLootz finished off the evening in true South African style taking the audience down memory lane with a nostalgic set of the best of South African from the past 21 years.

“We are very honoured to have celebrated this very important milestone with individuals and organisations who were very essential to the growth and success of Proudly SA, and we are certain more than ever that tonight we’ve gained more ambassadors for the buy local movement,” says Proudly SA’s CMO, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi.

“Through this celebration and many other events, we hope to demonstrate to South Africans from all walks of life how easy it is to live lekker locally. From the time one wakes up until they get back to sleep, we can all choose to wear local, eat local, drive local and so much more,” she adds.