A shorter version of this article appeared in Business Day, South Africa on 05/09/19 'Shredding of the rag trade has lessons for the future'
‘We never realised it could be so dramatic!’ Aldo Agnelli, Managing Director of House of Monatic says smiling and throwing his arms open as a gesture of warm welcome and striding into his humble wood-panelled office. He was referring to the President of South Africa’s recent State of The Union Address where Mr Ramaphosa proudly announced wearing a suit, shirt and tie made by the clothing manufacturer. The President was actively encouraging consumers to buy locally made products to stimulate domestic production.
