The following was sent to ReDress by a friend.
Local is Lekker, let us support our own
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide us with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of South African labour. This year will be different. This year South Africans will give the gift of genuine concern for other South Africans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by South African hands. Yes, there is plenty.
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car valet'd? Small, South African owned car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the cash on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway fixed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or roof waterproofed and painted.
There are a Gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town South African with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorbike, done at a shop run by a South African working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could do with an upgrade, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts are great. They make jewellery, pottery, knitted stuff, Teddy Bears, paintings and home preserves etc.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a R50 string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the postman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
And lets add to the “what can you” in regard to clothing and textiles. Look at the “Made in” label, seek out made in South Africa
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining South African pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging small businesses to keep plugging
away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other South Africans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS should be the new South African Christmas tradition.
This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
BUY SOUTH AFRICAN - BE SOUTH AFRICAN - The job you save might be your own
December 2011
5 comments:
the sentiments in this blog are all important, we should all try and do our bit. Charity and caring begins at home - not abroad.
This is the proof that Christmas is not a holyday for everyone in the world.
Someone has to work harder these months to provide enought goods so that other people could go shopping for presents.
This is so unfair!
vob player - there are others in the country & the rest of the world who do not celebrate Christmas - you view seems a bit skewed.
What the article seems to be saying is that we need to look local & support & buy local instead of supporting & buying imported goods.
Local will always be better & we should be demanding a better deal & quality for local goods.
The support of local should start from our leaders and even from the unions. Why do they not demonstrate what they "talk" buy local products, wear local clothing .... but they do not. They talk but do nothing. However it is also a must that our productivity must be better. Yes, we can do the little things as the article says but the bigger things to support like clothing is difficult. Not every one does celebrate Christmas .... so everything cannot just come to an end. If it were not for consumers those who do have to work would not have a job.
CT#1
CT#1 - you have hit the nail on the head , unions & our leaders can only demonstrate how little interest they have in buying local & helping local without being uncompetitive & incompetent.
However the blame for these individuals holding the office they do is our fault - we voted them into office , it is up to us to get these incompetent, corrupt (both morally & ethically) & paranoid individuals to either start working & in so doing getting this country into a culture of work and not one of entitlement before work, otherwise they should be removed from office by the very same people that voted them in.
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