On 12 June 2026, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC) issued a media statement that the deputy minister will deliver the keynote address at the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster’s (KZNCTC) 20th Anniversary Annual General Meeting, taking place at the Toyota Wessels Institute of Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) in Kloof, Durban, on 17 June 2026.
The engagement forms part of the minister’s ongoing commitment to supporting economic growth, investment and job creation through a stronger, more competitive manufacturing sector. It also reflects government’s focus on working in partnership with industry to unlock opportunities for local businesses, strengthen value chains and expand employment opportunities.
The minister is working with the KZNCTC to use this platform to highlight the role of manufacturing in driving economic growth and creating sustainable jobs, as well as the importance of collaboration between government, industry and regional business ecosystems in building a more competitive economy.
Key themes the minister will highlight include strengthening local economic development through competitive manufacturing industries, supporting business growth, investment, and export opportunities, and enhancing productivity, innovation and competitiveness across the sector, amongst others.
The KZNCTC is an industry-led public-private partnership focused on improving the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the clothing, textile, footwear and leather manufacturing sector in KZN. Over the past two decades, the cluster has worked with retailers, manufacturers, small businesses and public sector partners to support productivity improvements, skills development, supplier growth and industry collaboration.
The anniversary Annual General Meeting (AGM) will bring together manufacturers, retailers, industry leaders and sector stakeholders to reflect on the progress achieved over the past 20 years and to explore opportunities to grow the sector’s contribution to investment, employment and economic development.
The minister’s participation underscores the importance of the manufacturing sector in supporting the Government of National Unity’s shared priority of growing the economy and creating jobs. It also highlights the value of industry-led partnerships that deliver practical outcomes for businesses, workers and communities.
Industry stakeholders and guests can register to attend on the official event registration platform at:
https://bmanalysts.zohobackstage.com/KZNCTCClusterAnnualGeneralMeeting-20thAnniversaryCelebration#/