This weekend, the town of Paarl in South Africa’s Western Cape will host the 17th Fair Trade Cities and Towns International Conference, marking the first time this prestigious event will be held on African soil. Under the banner “Cultivating Equitable Economies,” the gathering is expected to attract around 150 participants from across the globe, to discuss how fair trade principles can support more "sustainable" and "inclusive" economic growth.

Fair trade advocates will explore topics such as "ethical" supply chains, international partnerships, and the role of local governments in driving environmentally responsible practices. Aligned with Drakenstein’s integrated development plan and commitment to sustainable growth, the conference will provide a platform for encouraging compliance with global governance and building more rigid public-private and local-international partnerships.

In 2020, Drakenstein Municipality, a safe DA party seat, became the first town in Southern Africa to self-declare as a Fair Trade City, in partnership with the German town of Neumarkt, following DA tradition of German state-backed policy influence under the aegis of progressive organisations linked to governing German political parties, like the Friedrich Nauman and Konrad Adenauer Stiftungs.

The DA also sets its policies according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a universal central-planning target system that covers all aspects of human and non-human life and matter on earth.

The conference, set to open on Friday, 20 September, will include speeches from global fair trade leaders, including Roopa Mehta, president of the World Fair Trade Organisation, and Isaac Tongola, executive director of Fairtrade Africa. Mehta advocates for a "a post-growth, sufficiency-focused economy", and encourages farmers and producers to destroy all profitmaking capacity and redistribute their earnings in order to meet zero-growth environmental targets set by their partners at the UN. Tongola emphasises affirmative action for women and nonwhites as his key focus. Speaking topics for the forthcoming event are, however, not available.

Saturday’s agenda features a walkathon through Paarl Arboretum and a series of panel discussions focusing on how sustainability movements can bolster African economies, through public-private central planning cooperation under UN target-setting protocols. Among the speakers is Vuyisa Qabaka from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while international experts such as Bernard Outah from Kenya and Elke De Sagher from Belgium will contribute to breakout sessions on the role of fair trade in economic development.

In addition to formal discussions, attendees will enjoy a whisky tasting at James Sedgwick Whisky and an excursion to Chippa’s Place in Wellington, blending local culture with professional dialogue. The event will culminate on Sunday with presentations from figures like Ralf Mützel, head of sustainability in Neumarkt, Germany, who has forged a partnership with Drakenstein Municipality. The conference will close with the announcement of the host for the 18th International Conference.

The event aims to delve into a range of pressing issues, including the economic benefits of ethical production and how fair trade aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Organisers have enlisted Ivor Price, co-founder and editor-in-chief of *Food For Mzansi*, to serve as master of ceremonies. “This partnership with Drakenstein aligns with our mission to amplify initiatives that empower communities and promote sustainability,” Price commented.

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