Global South Africans

When my colleague Simon Barber visited South Africa in October, he met with some of our potential partners, including Wits’ Business School Dean, Professor Ncube and Charisse Drobis, director of WBS’ International Office. One of the ways they envisaged the GSA network helping was to support South African students in co-research opportunities and “cyber mentorship” exchanges . So, for example, if one of our members was working on an immunology research project they might want to bring in a South African student to assist in that research. Read the rest of this entry »

GSA Richard Rabins is Co-Chairman of Alpha Software in Boston. The company has developed an easy to use e-commerce software package, AlphaStore 2007. As part of the GSA project, Richard is interested in donating the software to help small businesses in South Africa market their products online. Read the rest of this entry »

Boston-based Euvin Naidoo is one of the most dynamic advocates for South Africa and its continent you’re ever likely to meet — as this video from the last year’s TED conference in Tanzania amply demonstrates. A Harvard Business School-trained investment banker, Euvin has taken the reins of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America, SACCA. His initiatives include the African Entrepreneurship Platform which aims to put African entrepreneurs in touch with bankers, equity specialists and other investors on Wall Street and beyond. The first meeting is set February 28 at the Harvard Club in New York. Should be quite an evening. Details are on the SACCA site.

The following article by IMC’s US Country Manager Simon Barber appeared in the November 7, 2007, edition of the Mail and Guardian:

Priceless human capital has left South Africa. The Homecoming Revolution and skills-hungry employers are trying to get it back. Global South Africans, a complementary initiative by the International Marketing Council, is harnessing the capital where it now resides.

The GSA project is being piloted in the US. The aim is to build a worldwide network or “brain bank” of a thousand or so of the best and brightest minds in the South African diaspora and connect them to where they can make a difference back home. Read the rest of this entry »