The Proudly South African Buy Local Summit & Expo, held on 14 and 15 March, was given a boost this year through strong support by Tsogo Sun and the Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs programme with venue sponsorship for the two-day event at the Sandton Convention Centre (https://www.tsogosun.com/sandton-convention-centre-scc).

Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs (https://www.tsogosun.com/citizenship/entrepreneurs) was also represented at the Expo with a stand that showcased this well-known and effective supplier and enterprise development programme, as well as the owners and businesses who have won the prestigious Tsogo Sun Entrepreneur of the Year award over the last four years – Hezron Louw of Sumting Fresh, 2017 winner; Nqobile Nkosi of NQ Jewellery, 2016 winner; Nomsa Mazibuko, owner of Visit Vakasha Guest Lodge, 2015 winner; and Carol Sanderson, owner of Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge, and winner in 2014.

Proudly South African is the country’s only official ‘buy local’ campaign, and the annual Buy Local Summit & Expo is its flagship event. Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly SA, says, “Tsogo Sun’s participation in our annual event extended further than making this world-class venue affordable for us; they participated in the true spirit of the Summit by bringing their entrepreneurs with them and offering them the opportunity to be exposed to hundreds of procurement officers and other buyers during the Expo. We truly value Tsogo Sun’s contribution to the work of Proudly South African, and to job creation through their support of these entrepreneurs.”

Day one of the Summit was dedicated to SMMEs and entrepreneurs with support sessions, supplier development programmes and how they offer an entry to market, and discussions on various initiatives by organisations such as Tsogo Sun, AB InBev, and Massmart. Day two focused on the business of local procurement under the theme, ‘Local Procurement: Policy or Preference’.

Candy Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s GM of Corporate Affairs, says, “The Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs programme’s focus is closely aligned with that of Proudly South African’s. We strive to assist people to professionalise and extend their operations to be sustainable contributors to the growth of the country’s economy. At the same time, we encourage them to be ‘conscious’ consumers who procure local products and services and support each other by keeping it local and proudly South African.”

Tothill added that this year, Proudly South African will be joining the Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs enterprise and supplier development showcases held annually in the main centres around the country.

Tsogo Sun has a portfolio of over 100 hotels and 13 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa and the Seychelles. For more details, visit https://www.tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter @TsogoSun, like on Facebook /TsogoSun or visit the Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs on Facebook.com/TsogoEntrepreneurs #TsogoEntrepreneurs.