The Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape, Dr. Ivan Meyer, reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to the local clothing, textile, footwear, and leather (CTFL) sector. He visited Ciovita, a producer of high-quality sportswear located in Woodstock, on Thursday to assure the continuation of support for the local industry.
As an active participant in the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC), Ciovita employs 265 people and highlights how innovation, export-led growth, and local manufacturing can contribute to job creation.
Currently, the CTFL sector accounts for 4.4% of the Western Cape's gross value added in production and provides 10% of all manufacturing jobs in the province. During his visit, Meyer met with the management of Ciovita and CCTC to discuss expanding local production, increasing exports, and strengthening partnerships between industry and government.
Meyer stated that the Western Cape Government values the role of the CCTC in enhancing production competitiveness by bringing together over 100 stakeholders in the value chain. He added that the cluster's mission aligns perfectly with the Growth Strategy for Jobs, which focuses on private sector-led growth, investment, and sustainable employment.
Courtney Grant, Chief Facilitator of the CCTC, noted that Ciovita exemplifies the cluster's goal—building a globally competitive and inclusive value chain. Grant emphasized that companies like Ciovita demonstrate what can be achieved when local producers compete on quality, flexibility, and excellence.
Established in 2005, the CCTC collaborates with retailers, manufacturers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and institutions to promote localization and investment. The Western Cape is South Africa's primary hub for design-oriented apparel manufacturing, hosting 158 clothing manufacturers, nearly 18,000 CTFL employees, and major national retail headquarters.
Ciovita's Commercial Director, Freddy Enslein, shared the company's global aspirations, recalling the brand's history. He mentioned that when Ciovita was founded, the goal was to put Woodstock on the world map by creating a bicycle kit that could compete with the best European brands. Today, the company's products are on par with global leaders, and they continue to take pride in manufacturing in the Western Cape.
Meyer specifically noted that supporting leading local manufacturers and industry clusters remains vital for fostering inclusive economic development across the province.
