Local fashion community outraged by Minister Gayton McKenzie's meeting with Shein

Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie's meeting with Shein in Singapore has not gone down well with members of the South African fashion community.

Mckenzie met with representatives from Shein during South Africa Focus Week in Singapore.

McKenzie’s meeting with the global e-commerce platform that specializes in fast fashion opened a public dialogue, with many raising concerns.

Shein has previously come under fire for the harmful impact it has on the local fashion industry. A report by the Localisation Support Fund projected that by 2030, up to 34,000 combined retail and manufacturing jobs in South Africa are at risk of not materialising due to cheap imports affecting localisation. 

@FrankMadikologa commented: “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.”

@GentlyAB said: “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 said: “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.”

McKenzie’s meeting with Shein focused on potential areas of collaboration between SHEIN and South Africa’s creative, fashion, and sports sectors, particularly in supporting inclusive sporting initiatives and empowering young South African designers and athletes.

The minister hit back at all the criticism on his official X and defended the meeting as a way to collaborate with the retailer.

“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.”

One user suggested that South Africa might implement stringent regulations, including advertising bans, restrictions on platforms, and joint ventures linked to local sourcing and advertising limits, as well as e-commerce licensing fees.

McKenzie expressed that he is trying to assist and in the absence of such laws, new opportunities should be explored for struggling designers.

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.”

The department gave insight into the meeting in a post on X, explaining that McKenzie welcomed Shein’s growing commitment to global social impact through sport and creative partnerships.

“He emphasised the importance of developing inclusive platforms that uplift persons with disabilities, as well as fostering opportunities for South African talent to engage with international markets and brands.”

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