On October 6, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, met with Shein representatives in Singapore. The meeting focused on collaborations for “empowering young South African designers and athletes”, according to the Department’s post on X.
McKenzie under fire
This meeting sparked criticism from:
- The public
- The local fashion industry
- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Shein and Temu are jointly responsible for a loss of 8100 jobs in manufacturing and retail between 2020 and 2024. Local value chains have struggled with mass layoffs, factory closures, and import dumping. Many people said that collaborating with Shein is the exact opposite of what South Africa’s textile and fashion industry needs right now.
Shein’s impact on South Africa
Public Backlash
McKenzie was criticised for his lack of knowledge about the local industry.
“How do you collaborate with someone from outside when you don’t understand what’s happening on the inside?” David Tlale, SA fashion designer, told The Citizen.
McKenzie defends meeting
McKenzie responded to the backlash on X, reaffirming his position. His responses lacked a consistent stance – jumping from “We can’t stop Shein from doing business in SA” to “[Stopping Shein from operating here] is truly what we should be doing but in absence of such laws should we not be searching for 4 opportunities 4 struggling designers?”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Party challenges McKenzie
The EFF have urged an investigation into the meeting, highlighting concerns about transparency, misalignment with national policy, and McKenzie’s authority. They argued that this meeting was beyond McKenzie’s jurisdiction as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, and should have rather involved the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“South Africa’s manufacturing industries cannot afford to be undermined by uncoordinated ministerial actions or poorly regulated foreign partnerships.” Sinawo Thambo, Economic Freedom Fighters
Policy contradictions
This meeting with Shein directly contradicts recent policy efforts to support the local industry:
Increasing customs duties and removing VAT exemptions to discourage buying from companies like Shein
Retail-Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Masterplan 2030 focuses on increasing local production and growing jobs in the sector
We’ve seen the devastating impact Shein has had on local retail – McKenzie may be taking the “keep your friends close and enemies closer” approach a bit too far.
Sources
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture on X
Gayton McKenzie on X
Retail by Vuyo on TikTok
Sunday World
Citizen
Letter from EFF
IOL
The South African
