"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
A 'SPECIAL PROJECT' SERVING AFRICA
THE BE POSITIVE!
CELEBRATE SOUTH AFRICA…CAMPAIGN
South Africa has a lot to be positive about
04 November 2005
Friday, 04 November 2005 marks the fifth annual National Be Positive Day in South Africa. This annual campaign, launched by Stephanie Vermeulen (author of EQ: Emotional Intelligence for Everyone), is supported by the International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC).
Chief Executive of the IMC, Yvonne Johnston, believes South Africans have a great deal to be positive about, “We are definitely experiencing a boom. Our automotive industry is the leading manufacturing sector in the country with exports of locally produced vehicles growing by 1 200% in eight years. Local vehicle sales also grew by 22% in 2004, making ours one of the best performing markets in the world.”
South Africa is also growing as a business destination of choice to a number of multinationals. In March this year Tata announced its plans to invest US$245 million in new projects in the country. In May Toyota chose South Africa as a manufacturing base for its US$20 billion International Multi-purpose Vehicle project aimed at supplying markets in 140 countries.
Vermeulen shares Johnston’s views, “For the first time in my adult life, the country’s economy is booming. Of course we are not trying to underplay serious issues such as unemployment and poverty but it is heartening to see the income gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ narrowing on an annual basis.”
“National Be Positive Day is part of the growing impetus to encourage South Africans to stand tall about the progress of this remarkable country. And it’s working. Attitudes are starting to shift as South Africans are becoming more aware of the need to talk up our country rather than constantly denigrate it or fault-find,” added Vermeulen.
Figures recently released by the Treasury indicated a rise of the country’s surplus by 21.6% this year, bringing the deficit for the first half of the fiscal year to only R13.388bn compared with a R22.911bn deficit in the same period last year.
With all the challenges of a young democracy, South Africa is taking steps in the right direction. Our country is currently rated 15th in global rankings for the efficiency of our government. We also produce the cheapest electricity in the world, are placed as the 2nd cheapest holiday destination and have the 3rd best road infrastructure.
So come on South Africa, stop whining, start winning, be positive because we are alive with possibility!
******************************
07 November 2003 marks the third year of National Be Positive Day. Occurring on the first Friday of every November, the campaign - spearheaded by author Stephanie Vermeulen - challenges South Africans from all walks of life to focus upon the many reasons to be positive about the country.
While conducting seminars on emotional intelligence, Vermeulen became deeply aware of the level of negativity in the country. She felt that the degree of negativity is unfounded and her chief concern is that it immobilises individuals, which, in turn, is detrimental to the economy as a whole. In 2000 she decided to do something about it and National Be Positive Day was born.
Building on the campaign’s growing success to persuade South Africans to reflect upon and celebrate our many gains and diversity, the International Marketing Council of South Africa has called for National Be Positive Day to be extended to a month-long campaign, themed Celebrate South Africa.
Vermeulen comments, “Within this remarkable land, there are so many constructive aspects to be proud of that, just for one month, South Africans are being asked to celebrate the positives about this extraordinary land … and to share them; thus spreading some genuine South African warmth around”. She accepts that the country - like any youngster - still faces challenges, but these are more likely to be addressed in a climate of confidence and positivity.
“We must also acknowledge ourselves by celebrating that we are becoming more mindful about the need to adopt a positive attitude towards the country. In many important ways, every positive individual makes a difference by raising levels of energy; the essential force that builds healthy individuals; who in turn shape strong economies where everyone thrives,” continues Vermeulen.
To Celebrate South Africa, prominent South Africans have contributed their reasons to believe in this great country and its future. All South Africans are also invited to share their reasons to be positive about this country by logging onto
www.safrica.info - South Africa’s national web portal. This year South Africans are being challenged to post a record number of individual contributions to the portal’s “reasons to believe” site. These will be displayed on the web to inspire and uplift others.
International Marketing Council CEO, Yvonne Johnston, says, “Initiatives like the Be Positive campaign help to amplify the efforts of the International Marketing Council in changing perceptions about South Africa, both locally and internationally. As South Africans, we need to position South Africa favourably on the world stage. What better way to do this than to start right here, by sharing the reasons that make South Africa alive with possibility? If South Africa is to reach the heights that the country is more than capable of, we need to build upon the positives together.”
She adds “So today, list South Africa’s myriad of good points and strengths, share them with those around you and help to radiate local warmth and possibility. Let’s embrace our energy and our colourful vibrancy. Our perpetual optimism, youthful spirit and can-do attitude are just some of the reasons to be more positive and appreciate just what a winning nation we are!”
Nokia’s “Great South African Journey” is supporting National Be Positive Month. This two-and-a-half month-long odyssey, currently running, is dedicated to celebrating South Africa. The five Nokia-branded pantechnicons travelling across the country will spread Be Positive messages while collecting items that symbolise what it means to be truly South African.
The B+ logo was designed by Indicate! – a Brand Management company - as part of their contribution to cheering up South Africa. Penny Orsmond, joint MD says, Indicate! embraced the concept of National Be Positive Day because we are tired of people being so full of doom and gloom. This is a much needed project and we challenge all South Africans to find reasons to celebrate and become a lot more positive!”
To find out more about the International Marketing Council, go to:
******************************
Contact Stephanie Vermeulen:
Tel: 00 27 (0)11 486 1211
stephanie.vermeulen@mweb.co.za
***********************************
BACK TO
SPECIAL PROJECTS
SERVING AFRICA
BACK TO
MAIN INDEX
FRONT PAGE
***********************************
DISCLAIMER
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
accepts no responsibility for incorrect detail listed above!
Kindly notify us of any discrepancies!
DISCREPANCY
***********************************
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA We are actively involved with promoting the
However -
All our efforts are privately funded.
is a private, 'not-for-profit', non-membership, organisation actively serving Africa by promoting processes conducive to sustainable development
......throughout Africa - with the emphasis on sustainability!
This organisation is currently rated as one of the most proactive Sustainable Business Development Organisations in Africa!
Serving Africa since 1999.
AFRICAN RENEWAL PROGRAMME
We firmly believe that sustainable development is a process that must start from within - Africa needs to "partner" with herself first!
We also prefer the phrase: "Lets create wealth" rather than "Lets alleviate poverty"
Our initiatives include enabler 'showcasing'; networking opportunities; business opportunities; investment opportunities; promotion of special projects; dissemination of business information; joint venture initiatives and a range of value added services - all to serve
AFRICA!
HOW THEN
CAN I
PARTICIPATE?
HOW THEN
CAN I SUPPORT
AFRICA?
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
is proud to be able to present you with SPECIAL PROJECTS AFRICA
***********************************
***********************************
THE FDA SUPPORTS AND ENDORSES THE
CAMPAIGN
© Copyright 1999
Website search technology courtesy:
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
The Hosting of this Website is Proudly Sponsored by:
FreeFind.com