EFF Demands Urgent Joint Committee Probe into McKenzie’s SHEIN Meeting Amid Trade Concerns
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for a joint portfolio committee meeting to scrutinise Minister Gayton McKenzie’s recent engagement with global fast-fashion giant SHEIN. The party raised alarms over what it sees as a lack of transparency and possible overreach into trade matters that could harm local industries. This comes as the local fashion sector grapples with job losses and competition from cheap imports, putting the spotlight on how government handles foreign partnerships.
The EFF’s push highlights growing worries about protecting South Africa’s manufacturing base, especially in clothing and textiles. With the country facing high unemployment and factory closures, any deal that might favour foreign firms over home-grown businesses is under the microscope. The party’s letter to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition spells out clear demands for answers, urging quick action to ensure national interests come first.
Background to the Controversial Meeting
Minister Gayton McKenzie, who leads the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, met with SHEIN representatives on the sidelines of South Africa Focus Week in Singapore on 6 October 2025. The gathering was described by his department as a chance to explore ways SHEIN could team up with South Africa’s creative, fashion, and sports fields. Key talks reportedly centred on boosting inclusive sports programmes and giving young South African designers and athletes a leg up on the global stage.
McKenzie highlighted SHEIN’s interest in social impact through sport and creative ties. He stressed the need for platforms that support people with disabilities and open doors for local talent to connect with big international brands. However, this outreach quickly drew fire from various quarters, including fashion experts and online users, who fear it could worsen the struggles of local producers already hit hard by low-cost imports.
South Africa’s clothing and textile industry has been in crisis, with factory shutdowns, mass job cuts, and reduced local capacity. A key report from the Localisation Support Fund warns that by 2030, up to 34,000 jobs in retail and manufacturing might not come to fruition because of these imports. Over the past five years alone, more than 8,000 positions have vanished, blamed in part on players like SHEIN and its rival Temu. These firms offer ultra-cheap, trendy clothes that undercut South African makers, making it tough for small and medium businesses—often run by young designers—to compete or find markets.
The meeting also ties into broader government efforts, like the Textile Masterplan, aimed at rebuilding local production. Critics argue that engaging with SHEIN sends mixed signals, especially when tariffs on imports have already squeezed the sector, leading to more layoffs and closures.
EFF’s Key Concerns and Demands
The EFF, through its MP Sinawo Thambo, sent a detailed letter to Mzwandile Masina, the chair of Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee. The party expressed deep unease that McKenzie’s discussions strayed into areas best handled by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) or the Department of Small Business Development. Topics like market access, manufacturing partnerships, and investment setups are seen as core to those departments, not Sport, Arts and Culture.
Thambo’s letter stresses that South Africa’s manufacturing cannot afford to be weakened by uncoordinated ministerial moves or shaky foreign deals. The EFF points out risks to local players, including clashes with plans like the Foschini Group’s push to expand domestically and boost South African production and retail.
To clear the air, the EFF wants a joint meeting involving the DTIC, Small Business Development, Sport, Arts and Culture, and relevant committees. They demand full details on five main points:
A complete rundown of the engagement with SHEIN, including the agenda of the meeting, participants, and any agreements reached with SHEIN.
Clarification of the legal and administrative authority under which Minister McKenzie undertook this engagement.
Clarification of whether the Ministry of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition was consulted or informed of this meeting prior to its occurrence and what the terms of reference for this engagement were if that was the case.
An assessment of how this engagement aligns with national industrial policy, local manufacturing objectives, and small business development strategies.
An evaluation of whether this engagement conflicts with the Foschini Group’s domestic expansion plan or other local fashion and retail initiatives.
The party warns that without transparency, such engagements could marginalise small local businesses, especially those led by young designers who already battle for support and market access. They also flag broader issues, like SHEIN’s global impact on labour rights and how it might clash with South Africa’s goals for a self-sustaining, inclusive economy.
In addition, the EFF ties this to the role of Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, whose department should back thousands of small fashion, retail, and textile enterprises. They argue that deals favouring big foreign corporations contradict efforts to empower locals and could let giants like SHEIN dominate or push out home-based entrepreneurs.
Backlash from the Fashion Community and Public
The meeting has not sat well with South Africa’s fashion crowd, who see it as a slap in the face to struggling local creators. Online, voices from designers, commentators, and everyday users have piled on the criticism.
One user, @FrankMadikologa, posted: “Meeting with SHEIN isn’t just tone-deaf, it’s misplaced. Engagements on textile and apparel industry collaboration fall squarely under the DTIC, not Arts & Culture. Supporting a fast-fashion giant that undermines local manufacturing directly contradicts SA’s Textile Masterplan.”
Another, @GentlyAB, added: “The increase of tariffs has already negatively affected the already suffering manufacturing industry in SA, with mass layoffs and factories closing down. Taking work outside of SA will not help the factories and textile companies in SA that are suffering one bit.”
@FashionMOEments vented: “This is so infuriating in so many levels. If Minister @GaytonMcK and his department really cared about the LOCAL FASHION INDUSTRY, then they would’ve done their research and know that any endorsement to SHEIN is no good for local fashion industry.”
These reactions echo a wider sentiment that government should shield local industries rather than court firms accused of dumping cheap goods and hurting jobs. Some suggest tougher rules, like ad bans, platform limits, joint ventures tied to local sourcing, and fees for e-commerce licences, to level the playing field.
McKenzie’s Defence and Push for Collaboration
Facing the heat, McKenzie took to his official X account to stand his ground. He argued that banning SHEIN outright is not feasible, and instead, South Africa should push for better local involvement.
“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.”
He added that without strong laws in place, exploring new paths is key to helping designers in need. “New legislation shall come with new behaviour. I’m truly just trying to assist. I spoke abt funding 4 emerging designers, space on platform etc.”
His department backed this up, noting SHEIN’s rising focus on global social good via sport and creative links. McKenzie framed the talks as a way to build inclusive platforms and link South African talent to world markets.
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