The Footwear Subcommittee
Chairperson: Anette Thompson
Podiatrist, Footwear Researcher and Industry Consultant (SAFLIA approved)
Contact details:
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, 031 201 9907
Shoes were invented to protect feet from our environment, such as cold; damp; sharp objects and hard, man-made surfaces. At some point, footwear became a fashion statement. All too often function and fashion do not co-exist comfortably. The dictates of fashion that deviates the foot from natural function and development may be particularly damaging to young, growing feet. A growing foot placed in a shoe of incorrect size or shape may adapt growth to the surroundings with little pain; deformity may result, which may lead to a lifetime of sore feet, reduced function and difficulty in finding shoes that fit. If an adult chooses to wear ill- fitting/inappropriate shoes their feet will (sooner or later) let them know – for example, as pain, blisters, corns, hammer toes and bunions!!!!
The South African Podiatry Association Footwear Subcommittee was launched to work with South African footwear manufacturers to assist in approving good-looking shoes that are foot friendly. Approved shoes undergo stringent testing for:
- Facilitation of foot function;
- Anthropometric integrity for the South African population diversity;
- Overall good shoe geometry and design.
The South African Podiatry Association (SAPA) is currently approving a range of children’s’ shoes for a large retailer. A list of approved styles will appear shortly. Watch out for the “Approved by SAPA’ label on footwear.
A copy of the Footwear Assessment contractual agreement is attached for footwear suppliers wishing to work with SAPA to provide “quality footcare to the nation”. The agreement meets with the approval of the South African Bureau of Standards that, ultimately, is the leading regulatory authority in the Republic of South Africa. Whilst it is not the intention of SAPA to require the contracting parties to abide by the standards required by the SABS or any other international regulatory authority, it is our intention to ensure that our contract complies both with local and with international standards insofar as is applicable to a regulatory authority, in this instance SAPA. As SAPA are acting as a regulatory body in general in the podiatry industry and in respect of these particular contracts, it is SAPA’s obligation to ensure that the mechanisms adopted meet with the approval or regulatory bodies. In respect of the clause relating to the BEE provision, SAPA as a semi-governmental body, constituted in terms of an Act and Regulations, needs to be seen to be assisting in the Government’s philosophy. In this regard the Agreement suggests the year 2008 for compliance with all legislative requirements relating to BEE provision.