In a historic opening that marks a significant milestone for both Drakenstein Municipality and the continent, executive mayor Stephen Korabie inaugurated the 17th Fair Trade Cities and Towns International Conference at Nederburg Wine Estate, Paarl.
This event is not only the first of its kind on African soil but also underscores Drakenstein’s commitment to becoming a beacon of fair trade practices and sustainable development. Korabie proudly reflected on Drakenstein’s journey since declaring itself a Fair Trade City in 2020, highlighting the municipality’s dedication to fairness, sustainability, and social justice.
“Fair trade has the power to transform lives, communities and economies,” said Korabie.
“Obtaining Fair Trade City status has been a significant milestone in Drakenstein Municipality’s growth and development. It marks our commitment to promoting fair trade practices and supporting local producers in Drakenstein, and ensuring that our community benefits from equitable trade relationships.”
He outlined the key goals of the Fair Trade Town campaign, which focus on establishing sustainable social enterprises; influencing impactful policy changes; encouraging ethical business practices; advancing Fair Trade education; supporting sustainable consumer habits; and fostering enterprises that prioritise profit, environmental health, and social impact.
The mayor emphasised that the three-day conference aims to articulate the immense benefits of sustainability, promote ethical processes, and strengthen stakeholder partnerships across various sectors.
“We acknowledge the tireless efforts of Fair Trade advocates, producers and consumers who drive this movement forward. We look forward to continuing our journey together as we catalyse future growth and development for the benefit of all our citizens,” he said.
Looking ahead, Korabie painted a vision of a vibrant and inclusive Drakenstein, where sustainability is woven into the fabric of the community.
“As the largest economy in the Cape Winelands, contributing 32.7% to the region’s GDP, Drakenstein is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Korabie recognised that these achievements are the result of collaboration among various stakeholders and reiterated the municipality’s commitment to sound financial management, clean governance, and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
He affirmed that attaining Fair Trade Town status is a vital step in the city’s growth trajectory. “Together, we will catalyse future development for the benefit of all our citizens,” he said, inspiring delegates to engage fully in the conference’s discussions and initiatives aimed at building a fairer world.
Inclusive growth and sustainable development
“No one will be left behind as we continue to build an inclusive economy,” said Dr Elna von Schlicht, executive mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, during her address at the Fair Trade Cities and Towns Conference.
She outlined the municipality’s vision of a unified Cape Winelands dedicated to sustainable development, emphasising their role as strategic facilitators in fostering safe, healthy, and productive communities.
Von Schlicht highlighted the Cape Winelands’ regional socio-economic development strategy, focusing on local economic development, investment attraction, and community collaboration.
She noted significant achievements over the past three years, including support for 2,460 rural learners and training for 1 115 individuals in financial and business management practices. Furthermore, 3 176 small farmers and emerging SMMEs benefited from seed funding and support initiatives.
The mayor also noted significant advancements in tourism and environmental initiatives. These include support for local tourism projects, the establishment of digital tourism tools, and the removal of invasive vegetation to enhance water resource management.
WFTO celebrates Drakenstein’s pioneering efforts
Roopa Mehta, president of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), contributed via video from India, praising the collaboration between Drakenstein Municipality and the organisation’s regional network for Africa and the Middle East.
She acknowledged the role of this partnership in bringing the first Fair Trade Cities and Towns International Conference to African soil. Reflecting on her experience with Drakenstein’s campaign at the 15th conference in Ecuador, Mehta commended their dedication to inspiring other fair trade efforts.
She expressed confidence that the delegates would greatly benefit from the shared experiences and enjoy the hospitality of Drakenstein and South Africa, reaffirming the World Fair Trade Organisation’s commitment to supporting these campaigns globally.
Neumarkt mayor praises Drakenstein partnership
Markus Ochsenkühn, the Lord Mayor of Neumarkt, addressed the Fair Trade Cities and Towns Conference virtually, expressing his support for the ongoing partnership between Neumarkt and Drakenstein.
Reflecting on their decade-long collaboration, Ochsenkühn highlighted key achievements, such as the creation of the Climate Park in Drakenstein’s Arboretum and efforts to restore the Berg River. “Our partnership goes both ways,” he remarked, emphasising the mutual learning and benefits both cities have gained through their exchange.
Ochsenkühn noted that Neumarkt is currently planning its own green classroom, inspired by Drakenstein’s initiatives. The partnership has established sustainability themes like climate, biodiversity, education, and fair trade as central pillars in their shared action programme.
He stressed the importance of municipal-level action in driving global sustainability and fairness, stating, “Fair trade is proof that it can work well by ensuring producers receive a higher, fairer price for their products.”
He further explained that fair trade not only provides better prices for producers but also invests in social infrastructure, benefiting local communities.
“Fair trade aims to change unfair trading conditions by offering an alternative and through educational work,” he said, encouraging cities around the world to embrace these principles for a more equitable future.
WC takes lead in fair trade
Western Cape minister of cultural affairs and sport Ricardo Mackenzie hailed the occasion as a milestone for both the province and the continent. He said, “This is the first-ever Fair Trade Cities and Towns International Conference on African soil, and we’re proud to host you in a province that shares your commitment to building fair, sustainable communities.”
Mackenzie also highlighted Drakenstein’s pioneering role in the fair trade movement, noting that the municipality made history in 2020 as the first town in Southern Africa to declare itself a Fair Trade City.
“Drakenstein has been a shining example of how local government can lead by embracing fair labour practices and ethical, environmentally responsible production processes,” Mackenzie said. “Hosting this conference is yet another example of how the municipality continues to lead from the front.”
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