Danilla van Jaarsveldt
Regional Representative: KwaZulu-Natal | Skills Expert | Project Manager: Competence Centre Food and Agriculture Durban Office
+27 (0)31 941 7744 dvanJaarsveldt@germanchamber.co.za
This initiative brought together globally recognized German engineering firms, renowned for their advanced manufacturing technologies, precision components, and testing systems that support every stage of the textile value chain—from spinning and weaving to finishing and quality assurance. Their expertise spans high-performance machinery and integrated systems designed to boost productivity, resource efficiency, and global competitiveness.
The programme began in Johannesburg with a market briefing was hosted alongside the German Embassy and Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). This was followed by a Roundtable and Networking Event with local key industry leaders and government stakeholders, offering valuable insights into South Africa’s textile sector - its current challenges, growth potential, and policy shifts aimed at industrial revitalisation. A highlight of the visit was the “Advancing South Africa’s Textile Industry” Conference, held on 25 March at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel. Keynote speakers from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) outlined plans to reduce import dependency and rebuild local production capacity. Important discussion points included small-scale manufacturing, skills development, and technical textiles - particularly for the automotive sector.
In Durban, a similar Roundtable and Networking Event emphasised efforts to revive the region’s former textile corridor through infrastructure investment and regional collaboration. The well-attended conference at The Capital Pearls Hotel drew stakeholders from academia, government, and business, keen to explore how German innovations could support local manufacturing and strengthen supply chains.
Overall, the productive B2B meetings and site visits to Beier Group, Brits Non-Woven (Durban), and Unica Textile Mills SA (Pty) Ltd. (Johannesburg gave the delegates a deeper understanding of local production capabilities, workforce strengths, and key areas where technological collaboration could drive efficiency and growth. This mission ultimately underscored the strong potential for German–South African partnerships to drive innovation, enhance industrial competitiveness, and support the sustainable growth of the textile sector.
Get in touch
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Mpho Letsoalo
Project Manager: Competence Centre Industry Competence Centre Industry and Trade Fairs
+27(0)114862775 mletsoalo@germanchamber.co.za -
Stef van der Walt
Project Manager: Competence Centre, Climate and Environment & Industry Competence Centre Climate & Environment
+27 (0)11 486 2775 svanderwalt@germanchamber.co.za
