South Africa boasts an abundance of quality homegrown products and unique services which contribute positively to our country’s image in local and global markets. SkyMedia Publications, in collaboration with the Proudly South African Campaign which is home to more than one and a half thousand accredited local companies, has identified the need to produce a high quality guide as a means to promote a greater awareness of and appreciation for the wide variety and availability of South African-made products.

Hence Thenga ThengiSA

was born.

This attractive, full-colour directory will enlist products which are partially or wholly produced in South Africa. It will also include a section which focuses specifically on homegrown companies that are currently members of South Africa’s official Buy Local Campaign championed by Proudly South African. This campaign was established in 2001 to promote employment creation and business growth by encouraging an appreciation for and the purchasing of South African-made products in general, and members’ products and services that bear the Proudly South African mark of quality and pride, in particular.

Thenga ThengiSA will provide information on all key sectors, such as clothing and textiles, tourism, agriculture, crafts, manufacturing and retail. It is anticipated that this high-quality product will stimulate both pride and a greater local and global interest in South African-produced products and services, with a potential investment spin-off.

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Thenga ThengiSA aims to encourage a demand for South African products which will in turn boost the local economy and create conditions that increase employment.

The general idea is to ensure the use of quality South African products. Proudly South African maintains close-working strategic relationships with wide variety of organisations such as trade unions, Nedlac, industry organisations, big media groups, government departments, business groups, communities and industry initiatives.

It aims to maintain high standards and ensure exclusivity. PSA companies which meet the standards set by Proudly South Africa can use the logo to identify themselves, their products and services and will be listed in the publication.

Thenga ThengiSA aims to create a support base for current members in terms of generating content that pertains to the benefits and exposure that these companies attain.

Members receive a variety of content-driven support from the publication via the PSA campaign. This includes information assisting and supporting tender submissions; exposure on and use of the PSA website; free listing in the PSA Buyers Guide; access to PSA promotional merchandise at cost; a free quarterly newsletter and regular communication about campaign new and promotional opportunities; participation at reduced or no cost in print, radio and TV promotions; access to tender leads or opportunities; free attendance at business workshops and member networking events and participation in the Homegrown Awards and Proudly South African Day.

The core objective is to give back to communities. To this end, PSA has implemented a number of initiatives such as Winter 2009 Blanket and Food Parcel Initiative.

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Thenga ThengiSA will feature information on South African-owned companies and theirs locally-made products and services. Only items that are of an acknowledged high quality will be featured.

The guide may include both former and current members of Proudly South African. Current members only will be distinguished through the visible display of the Proudly South African logo, which signifies that they meet the Campaign’s uplifting criteria:

Local Content
At least 50% of the cost of production must be incurred in South Africa and there must be ‘substantial transformation’ of any imported materials.

High Quality Product
The product or service must be of a proven high quality.

Fair Labour Practice
The company must comply with labour legislation and adhere to fair labour practices.

Environmental Standards
The company must be environmentally responsible and adhere to production processes that are environmentally friendly and acceptable.

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• SkyMED!A guarantees exposure in a captivating and prestigious publication – Thenga ThengiSA – with national and international distribution totaling a minimum of copies.
• Participants will share a forum which could lead to the forging of successful business relations and new opportunities.
• Become better acquainted with the Proudly South African Campaign and its members.

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Thenga ThengiSA will, amongst others, be distributed to government departments, large corporations, foreign representatives and import and export companies to ensure that all South African-made products and services featured receive maximum exposure locally and globally.

Retailers such as CNA and other retail outlets such as supermarkets will stock the publication, making it highly visible and easily accessible to consumers. In addition, all SkyMED!A’s publications are now distributed at eleven British Airways business lounges located at South Africa’s major airports, including OR Tambo, Cape Town International, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George and East London Airports. Since these lounges are situated in both the Domestic and International areas, exposure to a diversity of potential customers – both local and foreign – is achieved.

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