SOUTH AFRICA AND THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 1
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 2
ABSTRACT
In 2013, South Africa, the clothing, textiles, footwear and leather industry accounted for
about 14% of manufacturing employment and represented South Africa’s largest source of tax
revenue. The industry facilitates an estimated 60,000 – 80,000 jobs (down from 120,000) and
contributed around 8% of the country’s GDP1. In order to revamp and innovate South Africa’s
industrial industry, it is important to start importing from American Textile Company, which is
the largest manufacturer of Sealy and other top national carriers for mattresses and bedding
products. Today, most products of the American Textile Company are sold in national retailers
such as K-Mart, Sears, Walmart and Macy’s to name a few. The American Textile Company is
