We’re in the midst of a flurry of public holidays, and each carries with it a certain significance.

You might not yet know why many around the world will stand up to be counted on April 24, but International Fashion Revolution Day is something we should all get behind.

Fashion Revolution is a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry, and that message gains traction in around 90 countries globally.

Fashion Revolution came about after the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing 1 134 factory workers. Tragedies like this make it clear that the current manufacturing model is broken, and Fashion Revolution is leading the movement that stops our clothes coming to us at the cost of people and our planet.

In Cape Town TCI Apparel are a prime example what an ethical, sustainable and honest clothing manufacturing company should look like. In fact, their newly designed Design Centre is an example of the emphasis they place on the working conditions of their staff.

The largest clothing manufacturer in South Africa, TCI Apparel supply the likes of Woolworths, Truworths, the Edcon Group and Queenspark.

TCI Apparel have also been at the forefront of ensuring fair wages for their workers, a battle that the bargaining council for SACTWU (Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union) has also been involved in. In many ways, South Africa is ahead of the pack when it comes to workers’ conditions in ethical and fair trade practices in the clothing sector.

Businesses like TCI Apparel are essential for the survival of the clothing sector here in South Africa. Ensuring that the means of production remain local creates thousands of jobs – not only for those who work at the business itself, but for all those involved throughout the fashion value chain.

Under the Wear South African umbrella are local brands made in Africa, and here at home in Cape Town, who further endorse this revolution. These brands include the likes of Magents, WearSA, bluecollarwhitecollar, Democracy of Denim and Nineteen 94.

There’s a peace of mind in knowing that the next time you purchase a garment from any of these brands, you are doing your part in saving our planet, as well as ensuring that the people who make these garments are being treated fairly and getting minimum fair wage.

Why not have a look at the label on your clothing, find out #whomadeyourclothes, and start supporting brands made in South Africa.

It’s a question that more and more consumers around the world, and here at home, are finally asking.

TCI Apparel have the answer, featuring some of their staff saying #IMadeYourClothes, with the images courtesy of Afrikan Soul Headquarters Productions.

The main image up top shows Monique Hendricks, who works as a machinist, with more employees below.

Here’s Somaya Staggie – ironer:

Hopefully International Fashion Revolution Day, and the movement in general, shows just how companies like TCI Apparel have taken a stand and encourages others to do the same.