Global South Africans

Global South Africans was officially launched  in Mumbai on August 26 at a dinner jointly hosted by IMC and First Rand. Thirty South Africans and ten Indians with strong links to South Africa attended the dinner at the Four Seasons hotel. The agenda also included a discussion on the establishment of a South African Business Forum in India.

South Africa’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Francis Moloi, delivered the keynote address. Mr Moloi gave his full backing to the GSA initiative in India and encouraged the businesspersons present to take the bold step and launch the South African Business Forum.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Jardine Omar (based in New Delhi) made a presentation on the benefits South African businesses in India  would derive from a business forum. This was followed by a presentation on GSA by Govin Reddy, the IMC’s country manager in India.

The post-main course discussion was chaired by South Africa’s Consul-General in Mumbai, Busi Kuzawayo. All 40 attendees were allowed a minute to make a contribution. The 50 minute discussion ended with unanimous support for the establishment of a business forum and for the GSA initiative in India. GSA could also count on at least 15 others in Mumbai who were unable to attend the dinner due to other commitments but sent messages of support.

A six person steering committee was elected chaired by First Rand and includes the IMC country manager. The first meeting is scheduled for September 8 at the offices of Sasol in Mumbai. It is anticipated that there will be a follow-up dinner in New Delhi to coincide with the IBSA summit in mid-October. The SA Business Forum will probably be formally established at this dinner which will also afford the CM India to make another presentation on GSA to New Delhi based South Africans who were unable to attend the Mumbai event.

The CM India also has plans to make GSA presentations to smaller groups in Chennai and Bangalore in November. Thereafter the website will become the primary vehicle for communication, networking and information sharing.

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