Brand-South Africa - Annual report 2015 - 2016

The International Markets Programme entails:
• Communication and reputation management:
Proactive and reactive management of issues in the
media environment, which may affect the Nation Brand
• Marketing: Identification of relevant platforms to profile
and positively position the Nation Brand
• Stakeholder relations: Working with and through
stakeholders to enhance international market
programmes (for example SA missions, South African
Tourism (SAT))
• Global South Africans (GSAs) Programme: Advocacy
programme with influential, well-placed South Africans
living abroad to support investment, recruitment, skills
identification, mentoring, skills transfer, study exchange,
and work experience initiatives.
A strong focus during the past year in all markets was the Africa
Day celebrations in South Africa. This was leveraged to promote
awareness of South Africa as part of the African continent
and to generate media coverage to improve perceptions
and reputation.
United Kingdom
The UK Office engaged in several high-level political and
business engagements during the year:
• Supported the SA High Commission in London through
several events and also participated in its strategy
session
• Participated in and supported the meeting between
Prime Minister David Cameron and South African Rivonia
Trial stalwarts, Denis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada and
Lord Joel Joffe, and the subsequent ‘Life is Wonderful’
Dinner’ in honour of Andrew Mlangeni, Goldberg,
Kathrada and Joffe, who later received the Freedom of
the City of London
• Partnered with the SA Chamber of Commerce in the
UK for the annual Business Awards ceremony and
networking dinner and delivered a keynote address
• Brand South Africa participated in the Oceans Economy
Seminar held at South Africa House, playing a key role
in the concept development, content, branding and
production of collateral, and facilitating stakeholder
relations. An interview was facilitated between the
South African International Maritime Organisation
representative and the Africa Business Report Magazine
• Met with Eskom’s UK representative and proposed an
energy roundtable with participation by Eskom to update
UK investors on energy developments, particularly the
world-class renewable energy programme, in South
Africa to support investment in Eskom
• The UK Country Manager and International Markets Coordinator
supported Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in
his London roadshow where the minister had briefing
sessions with investors and rating agencies
• Participated in the Investment Seminar held in Newcastle
with local business in the north eastern region of
England, to provide an analysis of the flow of investment
between the two countries, identify gaps and highlight
opportunities. The UK Country Manager was part of the
panel arguing the case for South Africa in the Europe-
Africa relational debate
• Set up a small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs)
breakfast briefing and Q&A session in London for the
South African Minister of Small Business Development to
host GSAs in small business or those who have influence
in UK SMMEs
• Participated as part of a panel in the Youth Bilateral
Forum between young entrepreneurs from South Africa
and the UK, which was attended by, amongst others,
ministers from both countries
• Secured a partnership with the Commonwealth Business
Forum (CBF) in Malta ahead of the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting. The partnership included
a speaking platform for the organisation as well as a
stand that was used to engage with potential investors
and promote the Nation Brand
• Hosted a breakfast roundtable with the South African
Registrar of Banks and Head: Bank Supervision, Mr
Rene van Wyk, and bankers and advisory firms in the UK
• Participated as a discussant at Chatham House in a
panel discussion, ‘Creating an Inclusive Economy in
South Africa – Policies for Job Creation’, which dealt
with the book, How South Africa Works
South African Cultural Artists in the UK, together with
rugby fans at a FanPark zone in the United Kingdom
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