"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
PRESENTS
THE AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM
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SANDTON - SOUTH AFRICA
7-9 APRIL 2003
This was how I was introduced to the CBC AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM, held in Sandton, South Africa:
You, or a suitable representative(s) from your organisation, (are) is invited to attended this 'prestigious event' labelled as "2003's most important African Business Event" hosted by the Commonwealth Business Council!
This 'All Africa Event' will be held in Sandton, South Africa, from the 7-9 April, 2003.
The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) is hosting the event in association with the Government of the Republic of South Africa and NEPAD Secretariat. Building on the success of the CBC's previous African meetings, the Forum brings together business executives and government leaders for dialogue on key trade and investment issues within the NEPAD framework.
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I have yet to find any ‘information/feedback’ on previous CBC African Meetings!
I have yet to receive any 'outcome' from this 'All Africa Event'!
The NEPAD INITIATIVE must become an INCLUSIVE PROCESS - NOT EXCLUSIVE!
In response to my letter (email - see below) to Mark Hemetsberger, Marketing Manager, Commonwealth Business Council - event hosts, I received a call (12/03/2003) from Mr. Alec Read - Managing Director, Commonwealth Business Council.
Mr. Read emphasized his company’s support to Africa and her development:
“Although it is not our intention to make money out of this event - we need to cover our cost” he added “making it difficult to accommodate delegates ‘free’”
The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) has offered to partly subsidise delegates (not representing Big Business) who would like to attend the AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM!
Please contact me should you wish to know more about this ‘subsidy’: CONTACT ME
Mr. Read further confirmed support and endorsement from NEPAD and the South African Department of Trade and Industry for this event, stating that the registration fee of £450.00 (around ZAR 5,400.00) was a figure (amount) recommended by the South African Department of Trade and Industry!
Mr. Bruce Koloane, Chief Director, Economic Development (Africa and Middle East) - South Africa Department of Trade and Industry, ‘assigned to this project’, responded as follows:
“The Department of Trade and Industry will support and endorse ANY project/organisation
Mr. Koloane mentioned that the estimated cost of this support would amount to ZAR115,000.00 (around US$ 14,000.00).
Mr. Bruce Koloane denies ever making recommendations to the Commonwealth Business Council with regard the cost of registration fees!
We have had no response from the NEPAD secretariat.
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We, the Foundation for the Development of Africa/Africa Business Network and the I SUPPORT AFRICA campaign, are forever hoping that the South African Government and more specifically the Department of Economic Development (Africa and Middle East) - South Africa Department of Trade and Industry and the NEPAD secretariat will recognise and acknowledge our efforts in promoting Africa and serving our people
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The following email was sent to Mark Hemetsberger, Marketing Manager, Commonwealth Business Council - event hosts:
Dear Mark,
ONE:
TWO:
This organisation, also endorsed by NEPAD and representative of some 180 BIG businesses in Africa, should surely play an important role in this event!
No mention of the NEPAD BUSINESS COUNCIL is made in the event programme!
THREE:
A registration fee of £450.00 (around ZAR 5,400.00) is required - is this to keep the event exclusive, available only to a select few?
Your invitation clearly states: "The theme of the forum is - Partnerships for Africa's Development"
These "partnerships" envisaged within the NEPAD initiative includes ALL OF US!
NEPAD belongs to our people and should be available to our people! NEPAD is an Africa initiative - MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA!
FOUR:
FIVE:
This should be an AFRICA EVENT - FOR AFRICA! - NEPAD must benefit AFRICA!
SIX:
I am aware of a number of events and forums presented around the NEPAD initiative - I have yet to find ONE that 'leads-on' from the outcomes of the previous function!
In July 2002 the South African Department of Trade and Industry part sponsored an event THE AFRICA UNION BUSINESS SUMMIT - This event preceded the inaugural summit of the Africa Union, held in Durban, South Africa - The objectives of this ‘THE AFRICA UNION BUSINESS SUMMIT’ was ironically similar to the BUSINESS DAY - NEPAD CONFERENCE in December 2002, organised by Omega Investment Research.
This upcoming event, organised by Omega Investment Research, has a familiar ring to the forum objective: "Provide governments and businesses a productive forum for project implementation" I have some serious questions surrounding the true objectives of these forums!
What Africa needs now is ACTION!
Lets "WALK THE TALK" - This process must come from within AFRICA - The NEPAD secretariat should take the initiative and identify AFRICA PARTNERS and AFRICA INITIATIVES to get the 'ball rolling'
Eskom chairman Reuel Khoza, who was addressing a NEPAD session, stressed the need for NEPAD to "show a greater bias for action. We must co-ordinate the efforts that are being made by many companies, such as Eskom, Murray & Roberts and Standard Bank, throughout Africa."
Take care
Peter
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
PETER METCALFE
FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
I trust you are well!
Thank you for the invitation to attend THE AFRICAN INVESTMENT FORUM! I received this invitation via your colleague Hubert Danso.
I received a similar invitation from Lyndon Worrel, Omega Investment Research, but for one very important difference - Lyndon Worrel's invitation includes a paragraph that reads:
"Please note, unfortunately this is NOT a complimentary invitation and seating is limited so we urge you to register early in order to avoid disappointment."
Now I am not sure whether your invitation is complimentary?
However, I will not be able to attend, as I will be in Zimbabwe, attending an advanced training session with the HUMAN RIGHTS TRUST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (SAHRIT) on Civil and Political Rights.
I do have a few reservations on this event:
Why is the NEPAD endorsed NEPAD BUSINESS GROUP, spearheaded by the ABR (Africa Business Roundtable), not 'involved' in this forum?
This NEPAD BUSINESS GROUP is supposed to be the medium between NEPAD and Business - I quote from their website:
The NEPAD Business Group comprises leading business organisations who have a broad constituency - both inside and outside Africa - and are committed to helping the continent realise its full economic potential. The group will act as a medium between NEPAD and private companies who support its aims. The group will share information on trade and investment opportunities in Africa and encourage private sector involvement in sustainable development projects.
I do understand that the Commonwealth Business Council is a member of this NEPAD BUSINESS GROUP! However, surely this forum should be presented by the NEPAD BUSINESS GROUP (admittedly there are concerns about the 'well-being' of the ABR - Africa Business Roundtable), who are endorsed by NEPAD to acts as medium between NEPAD and Africa Business!
No mention of the NEPAD BUSINESS GROUP is made in the event programme!
Why is the NEPAD BUSINESS COUNCIL, spearheaded by Mr. Reuel Khosa, not 'involved' in this forum?
Why do the organisers exclude a large percentage of Africa Business from 'participating' in this very important event?
To pay a fee of £200.00 (around ZAR2400.00) for conference documentation is also ridiculous, I accept and understand that there are cost involved, however this event is supported and funded by the South African Government and NEPAD, documentation should be made available FREE to individuals, companies and organisations, who, justifiably, submit proposals for access to such documentation!
Why must delegates, who are willing to pay the £450.00 (around ZAR 5,400.00) registration fee, pay the registration fee into a UK account?
When are we going to "WALK THE TALK"?
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
P. O. BOX 3686 CRESTA 2118 SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: + 27 11 793-4409
FAX: + 27 11 793-4192
EMAIL: peter@isupportafrica.com
WebPage: http://www.isupportafrica.com
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FOR MORE DETAIL ON THIS EVENT - SEE:
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MORE (worthwhile) COMMENTS RECEIVED
OMEGA CONFERENCES
10 March 2003 10H00
Dear Peter
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I really like your response on the Africa Investment Forum. I think if were not on the lookout, the whole NEPAD initiative will be just another money spinner for foreign-based companies. Sure we need them as partners, but hey, this must be driven from within Africa. It is good to have a champion like your Foundation.
The issues you raise are absolutely on the mark.
Regards.
Septi Bukula
07 March 2003 15H58
Hi Peter
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I welcome your comments about AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM and concurred myself with your legitimate concerns and questions you raised about the involvement of legitimate and recogniasable structures within NEPAD. Also to emphasize the exclusion of Mr Ruel Khoza who is the Chairman of NEPAD Business Council to share with the gathering the South African Business perspective and way forward on NEPAD Development. My I mention that there was a NEPAD Business Seminar which was hosted in Cape Town with Business Day as a sponsor, to my amazement is that I see lot of Business Nepad forums/events and seminars taking place with nothing concret or tengable coming out of it.
1. If the AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM conference is being hosted in South Africa and is a NEPAD gathering aimed at improving the lifes of South Africans, why charge conference package in Dollars $ if it is aimed at the people whom the $ exchange rate exclude them from participating.
2. Is this program aimed at colonalising NEPAD by strategical excluding the aimed participants and deciding their fate in their own back yard with the few elites able to attend the conference.
3. In understnading the importancy and significance of the NGO's why are they also excluded and also charging the price which is extreamly exorbidant to them?
This gathering leaves much questions than the desireable results of building Africa, by Africans for Africa.
Papi Motaung
03 March 2003 13H32
Peter,
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03 March 2003 16H51
Dear Mr Metcalfe
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03 March 2003 19H19
Dear Peter,
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I do endorse your comments on this proposed conference. Furthermore, if the UK Company is so interested in generating momentum for NEPAD, why request such an exuberant fee? The African Investment Forum should be accessable to all businesses in the SA, not only those that can afford the fee. This would then truely be in line with the spirit of NEPAD.
I hope that this is not another money making effort to the expense of the African Dream!!
Johann Kilian
WSSD2002
We do apologise for the fact that you have received a second invite to the "Africa Investment Forum" and I hope this has not caused too much confusion or inconvenience. While we appreciate the points you refer to in your e-mail below, I must make the point that Omega Investment Research is in fact a South African company (based in Cape Town) with offices in the United Kingdom and as such we are very much an African organisation. It is true that we are a global business events organiser and we did organize the Business Day NEPAD Conference recently in Cape Town on behalf of Business Day, however, we are NOT the organisers of the "Africa Investment Forum" and as such, in this instance, are not involved in the structuring of the programme or the setting of delegate fees. As a South African company, our current role is merely one of assisting the CBC with their marketing of the event in Southern Africa.
I am sure the CBC will be able to respond to your points raised below.
Again, I do apologise for the confusion.
Sincerely
Lyndon Worrall
Thanks for the mail. The comments sent to Mark Hemetsberger are valid and need sensible answers. I have already confirmed attendance, booked and paid.
See you at the Forum. I believe we should take this inside the ring, and not play hecklers on the ringside.
Regards
COL J L SIMBAKALIA
04 March 2003 08H41
Peter,
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Thanks for the invitation, but I shall not be attending. As you pointed out, there is too much confusion about who carries responsibility for any actions / outcomes, if any, and why. I get the feeling that everyone is trying to muscle - in on this "Africa theme", because it is topical, simply to make money and in so doing they are confusing everyone else.
The whole initiative should be handled under a single African governing body whose responsibility it should be to co-ordinate the efforts of all interested parties and to steer the initiative in the right direction in order to "walk the talk". Any profits made in doing so should be retained on this continent and not repatriated to London.
Alan Berrington.
04 March 2003 15H29
Dear Peter,
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Thanks for a very inspiring and probimg mail message. I agree entirely with your points and would go one further. Why are forums of this importance being organized by Non African and External Agencies. Who has mandated these organizations to deal with this fundamental African issue outside the NEPAD stakeholder structure as pointed out in your mail?? Why are these organizations delinked from the local initiatives and entities?
Regards
Thuso Ramaema
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