MARCH NEWSLETTER 2010 - IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VIEWING THIS NEWSLETTER PLEASE CLICK HERE
 

On 2 March 2010 South Africans joined in action to celebrate 100 days to the “event of a lifetime” – the first ever FIFA World Cup to be presented on African soil.  Sentiments held globally towards South Africa with regards to this sporting event seem to be changing positively, with increasing support as milestone after milestone is being achieved.  The verdict is clear – South Africa is ready, and, Yes! – We can host a resoundingly successful World Cup.  For individuals and businesses alike it is time to unite in support of Bafana Bafana and to celebrate our homegrown talent, with pride and humility.

 
 
 
NEW “GROWTH PLAN” FOR SA

Growing the economy and creating jobs is the clear directive of the Economic Sectors and Employment Cluster which recently briefed the media on the areas identified as having the greatest potential to deliver on these challenges.
 
   
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND IP RIGHTS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Intellectual property (IP), best described as “the creations of the mind” is a powerful business tool if used correctly within business.  It is an invaluable business asset.  “However, you must either own the IP or have permission to use it”, cautions Terry Booysen, CEO of CGF Research Framework (Pty) Ltd and strategic partners of the Proudly South African Campaign.
 
   
 
NATIONAL WATER WEEK – 15 TO 21 MARCH 2010
National Water Week, an awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the need to conserve and safeguard this precious natural resource, will this year be celebrated under the theme – “Together We Can Save More Water”.  It represents a call to action to all South Africans to ensure that water resources are protected for both current usage, and for future generations.
SWITCH OFF FOR EARTH HOUR 2010 ON SATURDAY, 27 MARCH
Businesses, individuals, organisations and civil society at large who care about our environment and are eager to demonstrate support for action on climate change are invited to unite in action by switching off lights for an hour on the evening of Saturday, 27 March from 20:30 pm (half past eight) as part of Earth Hour – a global WWF climate change initiative.
 
   
 
COMPETITIVE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BOOSTED
The Competitive Supplier Development Programme (CSDP), an initiative of the Department of Public Enterprises, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with other organisations, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), aims to increase the participation of local companies in major procurement opportunities.
 
   
 
CLOTHING, TEXTILES AND AUTOMOTIVE SECTORS KEY BENEFICIARIES OF ADDITIONAL BUDGET ALLOCATION
During his inaugural Budget address in February 2010 Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that an additional allocation of R3,6 billion would be set aside for the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), mainly in support of investment and production in the automotive components and clothing and textiles industries.  This bodes well for local companies and Proudly South African members who are active in these industries.
SOUTH AFRICA’S FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS SHOW POSITIVE GROWTH
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk recently announced that South Africa has recorded a positive growth of 3.6% in foreign arrivals, whilst most international markets in 2009 had shown a decline.
 
   
 
A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
A Proudly South African welcome to the following companies or entities which have recently joined the ranks of South Africa’s Buy Local campaign:
 
   
 
SUPPORT MAD GOLF DAYS AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Make a Difference (MAD) Foundation will be expanding its Fundraising Golf Days to seven global events this year in a concerted effort to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.
CEDRIC NTUMBA NEW SABT CHAIRPERSON, FOUNDER CHAIRMAN STEPS DOWN AFTER 9 YEARS
Long-standing Chairman of The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) Board, Mr Don MacRobert has stepped down from the position which he has held for the past nine years. Mr Cedric Ntumba, a member of The SABT Board was appointed as the new Chairman.
SABC CALLS FOR ENTRIES FOR BAFANA BAFANA SONG
The SABC, official broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has launched an initiative to invite South Africans citizens to write a song to show support for and to inspire Bafana Bafana.
STANDARD BANK FINE BRANDY FESTIVAL, 5 TO 7 MAY 2010, SANDTON
The third Standard Bank Fine Brandy Festival, described as a “unique, all-brandy event” is an initiative by the South African Brandy Foundation in sponsorship with Standard Bank. The festival, which is set to take place from 5 to 7 May 2010 at the Sandton Sun provides a “sophisticated showcase where visitors can experience the triumphs of the country’s distillers”.
CLOVER MAMA AFRIKA – SEWING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The Clover Mama Afrika project is growing from strength to strength, promoting quality and sustainability which are key values endorsed by the Proudly South African Campaign. Recently two groups totalling 16 trainees from 16 Clover Mama centres took part in an intense two-week sewing course with Bernina RSA.
 
   
 
PROUDLY SA NETWORKING SESSION ON 17 MARCH

South African humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, is amongst the many organisations which has again exemplified the spirit of ubuntu by putting together a rescue package to assist victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.
BRAVING THE ARGUS WITH A HAND CYCLE IN SUPPORT OF PROUDLY SA CHAELI CAMPAIGN

Braving the Argus with a hand cycle may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for Mom Zelda Mycroft no sacrifice is too great when there is an opportunity to support a good cause.
CGF AND CORPORATE CONNECT PRESENT CAPTIVATING BREAKFAST PRESENTATION ON GOVERNANCE

Corporate Connect and CGF Research Institute (Pty ) Ltd, a Proudly South African organisation that specialises in conducting umbrella research on Corporate Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) have joined forces to present a captivating breakfast seminar on the increasingly important subject of governance and compliance-related issues.
TRADE FAIR OPPORTUNITIES

The South African International Business Linkages (saibl) Trade and AGOA team have identified trade fairs that take place in a number of target countries this year: Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the USA. In addition, they may organise trade missions to these countries.
 
   
 
BULL’S EYE ADVICE ON HOW TO BEAT THE DEBT CHALLENGE - STEP 2

You need to be brutal with yourself. Often, we try to palm off our financial worries, fooling ourselves into underestimating the extent of the problem. But you cannot start extricating yourself from the financial mire until you know exactly how much you owe and to whom you owe it. Working out the truth of what you owe, as scary as it may be, is one of the first steps on the road to recovery.

KEITH CALDER’S ‘PENALTY’ MAKES FIFA WORLD CUP™ HISTORY
Keith Calder’s Bronze entitled ‘Penalty’ and part of the first-ever 2010 African Fine Art Collection, will soon join the sculpture of former president Nelson Mandela in Nelson Mandela Square as part of the legacy left by the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
 
 
 
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Buy local for 2010 and beyond!