We have seen amazing growth in parts of Africa in mining, consumer goods and retail. A number of trends are guiding this growth which includes easier regulations and demographics. The sub-Saharan Africa population is likely to double over the next 40years. We have more young people entering the population and that stimulates consumer demand. Consumer spending is also growing rapidly.
The introduction of modern technology also contributes to Africa’s growth. More young people in Africa today use cell phones.

Speaking at the Henley Business School Breakfast, Lars Kolind Group Chairman of Grundfos highlighted that in everything we do; we are bound by mental modules.

“We always have a mental module of what things will look like and many times we do not really think about these things. The same goes for business. Now we have to think about it because things are changing. We are currently looking at a new generation of workforce that is different from the last two decades”.

“We developed three basic mechanisms: One is getting things done which was a project structure. Second is keeping the professional level of what we do at a higher standard and the third mechanism is a people oriented mechanism which is like for every 10-15 people, we will appoint a mentor”.

When one observes critically, this is sufficient to run a company without a management structure.

Speaking at the Regenesys Business School Leadership Conversation, Barbara Creecy, MEC of Education in Gauteng pledged her commitment to ensure that education remains a priority in developing young people in Gauteng.
“Education is vital to the future of the province and success in the country. We cannot just train teachers; we also have to train school managers so that they will be able to do the work that school managers can do. The curriculum must be managed by school managers and they must ensure that the whole curriculum is taught. We have also developed a strategy for teachers to submit their lesson plan before they teach. Some people are good educators but it doesn’t mean they can develop learning materials, etc”.
“The average age of teachers and principals in Gauteng is 40 and 50 years respectively, so very soon we will run out of teachers. We are giving out 13,000 supervisory posts to young people to assist with assignments in school. We want to attract young people in the Education sector”.
“The bottom line is that teachers should be in school at the right time teaching our kids”.

The Global Entrepreneurship week is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. (www.unleashingideas.org). Speaking at the AE Business Breakfast, the Director General of the Department of Public Enterprises, Tshediso Matona emphasised on the role of State owned enterprises and the importance of collaboration within the public and private sector in igniting entrepreneurship in South Africa. Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Simon Rweyongoza highlighted the need for entrepreneurs to be innovative and leaders in their respective field. Speaking on the panel Bridgitte Backman, Managing Director for SASOL Chemcity expressed Chemcity’s willingness to support businesses and initiatives in the chemical, energy and related sectors.

Overall the event was thought provoking and it opened up avenues for futures discussions on the importance of entrepreneurship in Africa.
To find out more on what the Director General said in his speech watch the video.

Speaking at the Regenesys Leadership forum, CEO of Pick n’ pay- Nick Badminton says that change is something organisations have to embrace.

“Two years ago we had a gap with our major competitor-Checkers which narrowed and has widened again. We need to start changing the way people work and the way we operate. It is very difficult to change behaviour and that is what we are currently doing in order to get adequate and efficient service for customers. Ultimately you have to get profit while moving the right way”.

“One Pick n’ pay- One Big Change, a lot more positive and a lot "more to come”.

The Gordon Institute of Business Science hosted top marketers and brands Ambassadors on how brands can reach the African consumer. “It is vital that African businesses get equipped with the local knowledge of the African country they wish to invest in. We need to collaborate with local partners to build up brands. Acknowledge, respect and celebrate individual cultural background, beliefs and languages. Find your inspiration at the source. Africa love stories, so tell African stories. Embrace both formal and informal sector and think beyond the traditional ATL advertising” says Gary Harwood, director and founding member of HKLM.
Only the innovative shall survive. How equipped is your brand online? Is your business mobile enabled?
“Is there easy access to your business? Is what you are offering relevant? Is your product line sustainable? 79% of smart phone Internet users use their smart phones to help with shopping. Is your website and business mobile enabled”, asks Brett StClair head of Google Mobile South Africa?

Blackberry hosted hundreds of businesses at the Campus in Bryanston. Speaking at the Forum, the Vice President Marketing EMEA Blackberry shared some innovative ideas on how small businesses could use Blackberry’s mobile services to their advantage.
“The present has changed for all of us but the future opportunities are still out there. We currently live in a complicated world which requires us to make decision at every point in time. The greatest risk of all is doing nothing”, says Thomas Jankovich from Future World.
Broad connectivity opens up many innovative possibilities and only businesses that embrace the opportunities that mobile connectivity offers will survive in the fast paced environment.

Speaking at the Johannesburg’s Growth Development Strategy in Sandton, Mayor Parks Tau emphasised on the need to stimulate economic development for employment creation and shared growth. The two key inhibitors to growth in Joburg is Crime and Skills Development, says the Mayor.
“Transformation of the economy must go beyond the narrow confines of those who get access. We need to have a concise programme of building entrepreneurs. We must create new businesses to create new jobs”.
We cannot design solutions without knowing the real core of the problem, says Professor of Economics, Charlotte du Toit.

The South African Black Entrepreneurs forum hosted businesses and entrepreneurs on an enterprise development discussion. Speaking at the forum, Dr Myres, a specialist on Enterprise development said that businesses need to be committed for enterprise development to be successful in South Africa. “Some companies create a budget for this but accountability on how this fund is spent remains a concerning issue”.
Efficient and effective economic development requires participation from all sectors, non profit and profit and partnerships with government agencies.
Kelebogile Modise from the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller assured businesses and entrepreneurs of the agency’s willingness and commitment to boost entrepreneurship through funding.

The International Small Business Conference will be gracing South African shores next year 2012. The successful launch at the Business and Franchise Expo at the Coca Cola Dome  saw ISBC board members from Canada and Netherlands congratulate South Africa for the successful bid. The business conference which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre is something to look forward to.

Among those present at the Launch was CEO of SEDA, Secretary General of FABCOS, DTI representative, OSIBA research CEO who made the bid a successful one and many others.

The power to grow your business was back at the Coca Cola Dome where businesses shared ideas on new developments. It was a gathering of small, medium and big businesses under one roof. With thousands of visitors and exhibitors, it was a good networking environment for young businesses. Blended with a speaker forum where delegates or visitors could learn from professional business managers and leaders.

Among the exhibitors was Eskom development foundation which has supported SMEs for many years through its contractor academics, as well as its support to business development through business incubators.

The impact of poverty is still glaring in our community. The more we achieve, the more we remain aware of the more we still need to do. We need to work with all sectors in society and black business is critical in this regard. The unity of business sector is paramount in achieving transmission of achievement goal.

As government our job is to see unity in fostering economic growth in the country. We have to develop the black industrial companies. We have to produce black entrepreneurs who will be manufacturers. The summit should come up with resolutions on how emerging businesses should own the economy. Let us see how blacks should be encouraged to own the means of production.

The two day business summit was the gathering of who's who in business. In attendance were Minister Malusi Gigaba, mining magante Patrice Motsepe, retiring CEO of Tsogo Sun Jabu Mabuza, Eskom CEO Brian Dames, Bra Don Mkhwanazi, Dr Danisa Baloyi, Dr Anna Mokgokong, Ndaba Ntsele from Pamodzi, government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi, Dr Thami Mazwai, Teddy Daka, Sandile Zungu and many others.

If we want to grow our economy, we have to take a bold step. In South Africa, our challenge is not just growing the economy but also transforming it as we grow it, says Public Enterprise Minister Malusi Gigaba

“We play a catalytic role, encouraging innovation and providing financing for the development of innovative products,” says CEO of IDC Geoffrey Qhena. Sponsored by the IDC and Sasol ChemCity among others, the innovation summit which ended with a gala dinner brought the innovation legends under one roof. 

To instil innovation in an organisation, a plan needs to be developed. Strategy, Control and Action are very important says founding director of JPB.com Jeffrey Baumgartner. The Innovation Summit ran from the 30th of August till the 1st of September at the IDC conference centre.

Over 300 women gathered at the IDC in Sandton to listen to the wisdom of Dr Myles Munro keynote speech. Also in attendance were the CEO of Shanduka Group Phuti Malabie and Lorraine Mphaphele, the CEO of Leaders Unlimited.

The session was filled with excitement and dialogues. Participants were treated to a buffet breakfast and networking sessions.

Speaking at the UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership thought leader forum, the CEO of Anglo Gold Ashanti Mark Cutifani analysed how the organisation positioned itself as a leading Gold mining company in the world. People are not just assets he said, people are the business.
“To provide the leadership to establish a common business framework, incorporating a common business language, which will support the effective execution on integrated business strategies to create value within and for Anglo Gold Ashanti” is their mission statement. Among those present on this evening gathering were the Vice Chancellor for the UNISA SBL Professor David Abdulai, Co-owner Waterfall Hospital Midrand Dr Jacky Rampedi and some other mining executives.

The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) on the 4th evening of August 2011 was the home for investors, economists and top business executives as the Ambassador of Japan and his entourage engaged delegates in solidifying bi-lateral relationships between both countries and investment in the African continent. Few years ago aid and poverty was the main focus in Africa, today it is investment and economic development, says Toshiro Ozawa- Japan’s Ambassador to South Africa.

Leveraging opportunities in Africa’s consumer business was the main focus for the two day conference hosted at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg. There were lots that could compel any economist or banker to be present at this initiative.

The two day mining conference hosted at the Sandton Convention centre in Johannesburg saw the convergence of who’s who in the mining sector globally. Packed with informative sessions, case studies, panel discussions, presentations and networking forums,

The 15th of July 2011 saw the gathering of leading intellectuals and entrepreneurs as individuals engaged with Dr Reul Khoza and Professor Cecil Bodibe on African Leadership. Africa is where the spotlight is- been the oldest inhabited territory in the world.

Speaking at an event hotsed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in Johannesburg, CEO of National Business Initiative (NBI) CEO Joanne Yawitch said that the United Nations Framework convention