The protectionist policies pursued by various trading partners in recent years has hurt South Africa’s cotton industry. However, as can be seen from the above photograph, taken in Limpopo earlier this month, cotton picking is still alive, if not fully well, in South Africa. However, there are initiatives under way to stimulate the sector under the aegis of a public-private scheme know as the Sustainable Cotton Cluster (SCC). In June, clothing retailer Edcon confirmed that it has increased its order for cotton lint in 2019 to 2 200 t, up from about 1 700 t, as part of a commitment made under the SCC. Edcon’s Jet and Edgars subsidiaries will use the cotton lint to manufacture men’s chinos and t-shirts, as well as towels. Photograph: Engineering News Chief Photographer Dylan Slater