Brand-South Africa - Annual report 2015 - 2016

• The team facilitated an interview with Mr Vusi Mweli,
Minister Counsellor (Economic) at the South African
Embassy, to highlight plans by South African exporters
to promote their agricultural products in Russia at the
World Food Exhibition. A combination of interviews and
features was produced.
• The team distributed a media advisory pointing to a
meeting of the Labour Ministers of the BRICS countries in
Ufa to discuss the availability of quality jobs and affordable
employment in the era of a global economic slowdown.
• Further to this, the team also provided support at the 23 rd
Prodexpo 2016, an event which included representatives
from 60 countries.
• Minister of Economic Development of South Africa,
Madala Masuku, met with key media during the First
Meeting of the Minsters of Industry of BRICS countries.
• During the 13 th Session of the Intergovernmental
Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in
Moscow during November, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane
addressed the media, highlighting the effectiveness of the
committee in contributing directly to improved two-way
trade and investment, as well as critical skills development
and technology exchange between Russia and South Africa.
• The team distributed a press release entitled ‘South Africa
Interested in Boosting Supply of Agricultural Products
to Russia’.
• The team also shared a media advisory regarding the
simplification of the South African visa regime for tourists
from Russia, China and India.
From the work concluded by Brand South Africa during the past
financial year, it is evident that efforts to position South Africa
strategically as a competitive destination of choice, is slowly
realising benefits, as evidenced in a recent international survey
which revealed that South Africa is associated with competitive
sectors such as finance, agriculture, mining and services.
The GSA Programme remains a key strategic flagship initiative
and will continue to be enhanced as part of Brand South
Africa’s efforts to build influential brand ambassadors for
the country.
China
This market required innovative strategies and partnerships
as the setting up of a legal Brand South Africa office in China
is still in progress. High-level political engagements during
the year include the following:
• Hosted a stakeholder and media programme as part of
the WEF’s China activities – through a partnership with
CNBC Africa. Several Team SA interviews were conducted
to profile South Africa’s agenda
• Supported the Office of the Deputy President, Mr Cyril
Ramaphosa, during his official visits to China and Japan,
through the facilitation of media programmes
• Supported the Premier of the Western Cape in his
investment scouting mission to China, and provided
China-South Africa content for key messaging for media
engagement on China and FOCAC
• Co-hosted a research report dissemination on ‘FOCAC
business investment perspectives’ with the China Daily
newspaper to highlight relevant mechanisms in FOCAC
policy available to investors. The end result positioned
South Africa as a thought leader in FOCAC business. Four
key guests were interviewed by key media that had been
invited by Brand South Africa. In the same engagement,
Brand South Africa initiated strategic relations with ten
key opinion leaders
• Held a series of high profile China-Africa dialogue and
roundtables prior to FOCAC, spearheaded by the Africa
Wildlife Foundation and Aspen Institute, to highlight the
role of wildlife conservation and sustainable development
in China-Africa economic engagement.
Brand South Africa also forged some important media and
public relations partnerships in China, particularly in support
of the FOCAC media programme. Among others, the entity
partnered with key Chinese media in ensuring media coverage
of the event and facilitated a CCTV News documentary of Wang
Baoqiang’s visit to South Africa to attend the FOCAC parallel
meeting; a CCTV News interview with the AU chairperson; CCTV
Dialogue interviews with South African IN(C); and a China-Africa
Jonty Tshipa, Director: Corporate Services – Brand
South Africa sign strategic co-operation agreement
with People’s Daily Online during FOCAC
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