WATCH | Ramaphosa demands answers: What did McKenzie promise Shein?

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for answers from Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie regarding his recent discussions with Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein in Singapore.

The call came during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) session following concerns raised by EFF member Virgil Gericke about the impact of uncoordinated foreign engagements on South Africa’s struggling textile industry.

Gericke warned that the country’s textile industry is on the brink of collapse due to factory closures, job losses, and cheap imports.

He expressed concern that McKenzie’s meeting with Shein in Singapore could further harm struggling local designers.

Gericke asked Ramaphosa what agreements McKenzie had made and what steps the government was taking to protect the manufacturing sector from uncoordinated ministerial actions.

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EFF Member of the NCOP, Hon Virgil Gericke, asked the president of the country Cyril Ramaphosa:

President, the country’s textile industry has over the years continued to struggle despite your efforts to revive it. South Africa’s textile industry has but… pic.twitter.com/hbWKFrZhla

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 14, 2025

In response, Ramaphosa emphasised that international trade agreements fall under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and that all government departments must operate in an integrated manner.

“And in doing all this, ensure that all government departments work in an integrated fashion, so there is no government department that will just hive off on its own and go and reach agreements that are not known by others,” the president said.

He confirmed that McKenzie had not yet reported to him and stressed that any foreign proposals would be properly evaluated to protect South African jobs.

“And possible agreements are first properly discussed. So in this case in point, I would say that minister McKenzie has not yet reported to me on this particular issue, and whatever the intentions of the counterpart in another country would be properly discussed and properly evaluated by the government on an integrated basis before any agreement is reached.”

We can’t stop Shein from doing business in SA, we can agitate and negotiate for greater participation of local fashion industry. We met them precisely for that reason. You guys think staying angry at companies is a solution ? There is value in collaboration. https://t.co/4CZPir5zed

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 7, 2025

He added: :We are focused on agreements with a variety of players, and we put in place incentives to protect those jobs and to revive that industry. Not only us in South Africa, but many countries continue to face pressure from cheaper products that seep into their markets and in the end we have to take measures to protect our jobs, to protect our industries.

“Steps that we have taken in the past, we will continue to take to ensure that we protect South African jobs. So I will pay attention to what you have said and get some answers as well.”

McKenzie’s talks with Shein focused on potential collaborations in fashion, sports, and youth empowerment.

However, his engagement sparked criticism from local designers and political parties, including the EFF, which questioned his authority to conduct trade discussions and whether the Trade Minister had been consulted.