Licensee Roundtable
19.07.2010 - On the 15 July 2010 the much anticipated Fairtrade Licensee Roundtable workshop was held at FLSA offices in Observatory. After having been postponed from May, due to the volcanic ash cloud over Europe, special guest Harriet Lamb (Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK) attended the day-long meeting - which was a massive success.
The workshop was aimed at existing and potential local Fairtrade licensees, mainly introducing them to the UK and South African Fairtrade market; the procedures of licensing in South Africa; and the potential synergies between all groups. The meeting was well attended, especially by the wine industry, who dominated with representatives from Thandi, Stellar Organics, Van Loveren, African Terroir, Douglas Green Boerdery, Fairhills and Fairvalley. Township Trades attended to represent the local Fairtrade cosmetic industry.
Both presentations by Harriet Lamb and Boudewijn Goossens (Executive Director of FLSA) were well-received and vigorous debate emerged as to the finer technicalities of dealing with Fairtrade in South Africa, particularly within the context of the South African wine sector. After a very successful, informative and spirited meeting it was concluded that these workshop should be held more often. Both FLSA and licensees felt the need for regular meetings that will be open to all licensees as well as potential companies willing to sell Fairtrade in South Africa.
