Can PUMA keep their eye on the Ball?

22 Jun '11

1 min read

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) has noted, through media reports, the new Bafana Bafana kit sponsorship by international sports brand Puma.

The change in sponsorship raises questions. Most important, will the new Bafana replica and supporters' clothing be manufactured in South Africa, and will the sponsorship create local jobs? Or will SAFA and Puma be more interested in milking the cash cow of sports support by manufacturing cheaply overseas and selling dear locally?

If Puma chooses to import the Bafana jersey, the company would shortchange its apparent goal to contribute to African development. For although Puma appears proud to donate a portion of sales from the replica home jersey to the SOS Children's Villages, the best way to score a victory for development and tackle poverty is by creating jobs. This can be done by manufacturing the Bafana replica and supporters' clothing locally.

In the run up to the soccer World Cup, SACTWU worked closely with Bafana's previous sponsor, Adidas, to ensure that significant numbers of replica and supporters' clothing were manufactured in South Africa. Can Puma match Adidas, or even better their efforts?

Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU)

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