Skip to content

A Glimmer of Hope at Day 1 of the Top Empowerment Conference 2021

Mike Brown, Chief Executive of Nedbank was quoted saying, “remote conferences are certainly better than no conferences.” The virtual Top Empowerment Conference has kicked off at a pivotal time in South Africa’s history. As parts of our country have been affected by the unrest, renowned South African attorney and politician, Mathews Phosa, has pleaded with members of our country to vow to never let this happen again on our soil and on our watch. He has passionately called for us to band together to form a united front rather than being divided.

 

Re-addressing the problems of the past and the present requires a great deal of collaboration, which is precisely what unfolded on Day 1 of this pivotal conference. According to Priya Naidoo, Group Executive at Nedbank, COVID-19 has placed great urgency on growing our economy. Mike Brown echoed that transformation will boost economic growth, labeling transformation strategies as both moral and business imperatives that contribute to a sustainable future for all.

 

Simo Mkhize, Chief Commercial Officer at Cell C, has reiterated that “in order for a country to thrive there is a social compact required between business, civil society, the community, and government at large.” Mkize also highlighted the importance of empowering the youth of South Africa through digital skills development, outlining that in this digital age, connectivity is a necessity in every household.

 

Juliet Mhango, Chief Human Capital and Transformation Officer at Cell C, reminded us that our youth unemployment stats are staggering over 40% and Nazrene Mannie, Executive Director for the Global Apprenticeship Network in Geneva, Switzerland, has indicated that perhaps the answer lies in a continued effort to raise the profile of technical and vocational colleges.

 

In a panel discussion hosted by Nedbank on repurposing the economy for growth and making sure nobody is left behind, Tanya Van Lil, CEO of SAVCA, was quoted saying that, “we need more capital flowing into these [venture capital] funds and more variety of funds so that we can see more entrepreneurs being supported.” Priya Naidoo, Group Executive at Nedbank went on to say that partnerships will move us to great economic growth.

 

In a positive panel discussion hosted by the KZN Convention Bureau, Ravi Pillay, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal has been quoted saying that, we triumphed over apartheid, we will get through this.” The overarching sentiment of the discussion was that local tourism is how we will recover post-COVID-19.

 

Zodwa Ntuli, commissioner of the B-BBEE Commission has called for creativity and for empowered entrepreneurs to continue to empower others. The resounding message from day 1 of the conference, as Xolile George CEO at SALGA, has put it, the deeper the crisis the better the opportunity.”

 

Clem Sunter closed day one of the conference with an excellent talk about post-pandemic scenarios for South Africa. Although Sunter stated that our country is in tough shape and also made reference to the increasing unemployment rate, his call is to promote new business and entrepreneurship. Both Simo Mkhize and Tanya Van Lil resounded that this is a necessity and in the words of Ralf Fletcher, in a Q&A session with Sunter, “there needs to be an SME entrepreneurial revolution.”

 

All in all, the belief in our people and the potential of our country will carry us through these tough times.

 

Join us on Day 2 for more insightful conversations, by clicking here.

 

 

Posted in

Shahrain Coovadia

Shahrain Coovadia is a Cyber Security Consultant at Deloitte, South Africa. Prior to joining Deloitte she started a web-design studio, and worked at the University of Cape Town as a teaching facilitator. Shahrain graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours specialising in Information Systems. She currently facilitates web & database management for Ecommerce Forum South Africa (EFSA).

76 Comments

  1. Melville Flynn on Jan 16, 2025 at 12:04 am

    I¡¦m now not positive where you are getting your information, however great topic. I must spend a while studying much more or understanding more. Thank you for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.



  2. biyapay是什么 on Jan 20, 2025 at 4:36 pm

    Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…



  3. manual vs handheld massager on Jan 21, 2025 at 5:58 pm

    Great blog. Awesome.



  4. water bong on Jan 24, 2025 at 8:37 am

    Fantastic article.Much thanks again. Great.



  5. Baixi Metal Packaging on Jan 24, 2025 at 2:09 pm

    Say, you got a nice article. Much obliged.



  6. onlyfans 18+ on Jan 28, 2025 at 11:30 am

    I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for posting. “The basis of optimism is sheer terror.” by Oscar Wilde.



  7. 망고안마 on Jan 29, 2025 at 9:28 pm

    Hey, thanks for the article.Much thanks again. Cool.



  8. Latex hood on Feb 3, 2025 at 6:15 pm

    I think this is a real great post.Thanks Again. Awesome.



  9. aesthetic backgrounds on Feb 23, 2025 at 11:12 am

    Muchos Gracias for your post.Much thanks again.



  10. Jinhong Gas price on Feb 23, 2025 at 8:21 pm

    Great, thanks for sharing this blog.Really thank you! Will read on…



  11. 深圳怡康婦產醫院好唔好 on Feb 24, 2025 at 11:56 am

    Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Much thanks again.



  12. dept 56 christmas vacation 2024 on Feb 26, 2025 at 7:44 pm

    Thanks again for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.



  13. pubg uc buy on Feb 27, 2025 at 2:13 pm

    I truly appreciate this blog article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.



  14. 菠菜拍摄视频 on Mar 1, 2025 at 9:34 am

    Major thanks for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.



  15. 菠菜广告代打 on Mar 1, 2025 at 2:30 pm

    Im grateful for the post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.



  16. 佳文网 on Mar 6, 2025 at 11:21 am

    Im obliged for the blog.Really thank you! Cool.



  17. 网页版whatsapp on Mar 13, 2025 at 9:36 am

    I really liked your blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.



  18. Devgad Alphonso Mango on Mar 17, 2025 at 9:47 am

    Really informative article post. Will read on…



  19. ip2world proxy on Mar 17, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    A round of applause for your article post.Much thanks again. Will read on…



  20. Status game on Mar 18, 2025 at 9:12 pm

    I truly appreciate this article.Thanks Again. Cool.



  21. Huijue Solar on Mar 19, 2025 at 9:21 am

    Really informative post. Cool.



  22. rotontek.com on Mar 20, 2025 at 8:43 am

    Great blog.Thanks Again. Cool.



  23. Prodentim on Mar 20, 2025 at 8:51 am

    whoah this blog is wonderful i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are looking around for this info, you can help them greatly.



  24. 云顶按摩 on Mar 21, 2025 at 5:48 pm

    A big thank you for your blog post. Much obliged.



  25. Status game on Mar 22, 2025 at 12:39 am

    Im thankful for the article.Really thank you! Really Great.



  26. https://dienthoainhanh.com/ki-tu-dac-biet/ on Mar 23, 2025 at 12:34 am

    There’s certainly a great deal to learn about this topic.I really like all of the points you made.



  27. Moemate AI on Mar 25, 2025 at 9:24 am

    I am so grateful for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.



  28. rpsexdoll on Mar 27, 2025 at 9:39 am

    Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Much thanks again. Great.



  29. hawkrown toilet on Mar 27, 2025 at 2:29 pm

    I cannot thank you enough for the post.Really thank you! Really Cool.



  30. Moemate AI on Mar 27, 2025 at 7:22 pm

    wow, awesome post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.



  31. https://cryptogame.my on Apr 1, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Really appreciate you sharing this blog. Much obliged.



  32. 橙新聞 on Apr 7, 2025 at 9:47 am

    Im thankful for the post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.



  33. 維修金章抽油煙機 on Apr 14, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks again for the blog post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.



  34. 維修厦普抽濕機 on Apr 14, 2025 at 6:31 pm

    Say, you got a nice article.Much thanks again. Really Cool.



  35. wabo online casino on Apr 17, 2025 at 9:06 am

    Very neat blog. Awesome.



  36. 搜狗输入法 on Apr 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm

    Thank you ever so for you blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.



  37. deepseek on Apr 18, 2025 at 9:22 am

    Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Really looking forward to read more.



  38. Status AI App on Apr 18, 2025 at 10:10 pm

    Thanks so much for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.



  39. dance costume costumes on Apr 27, 2025 at 9:50 am

    I value the post.Really thank you! Cool.



  40. national clothing asian costume on Apr 27, 2025 at 6:11 pm

    A round of applause for your article post.Thanks Again. Will read on…



  41. poe2currency on Apr 28, 2025 at 8:18 pm

    I am so grateful for your article.Much thanks again. Fantastic.



  42. https://koreanviagra.kr/ on Apr 29, 2025 at 8:22 am

    We are looking for some people that might be interested in from working their home on a part-time basis. If you want to earn $100 a day, and you don’t mind writing some short opinions up, this is the perfect opportunity for you!



  43. https://overseastudent-loan.com on May 2, 2025 at 11:48 am

    A big thank you for your blog article. Much obliged.



  44. https://overseastudent-loan.com on May 2, 2025 at 5:40 pm

    I truly appreciate this article post.Thanks Again.



  45. casablanca yupoo on May 6, 2025 at 10:50 am

    Enjoyed every bit of your article post.Really thank you! Want more.



  46. muriersilk on May 8, 2025 at 1:38 pm

    Looking forward to reading more. Great blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.



  47. SVA on May 9, 2025 at 12:26 am

    Very neat blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.



  48. crypto exchange on May 12, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    I am so grateful for your blog. Really Great.



  49. wikifx app on May 13, 2025 at 7:18 am

    Thanks again for the article post. Keep writing.



  50. https://www.vnhd.tv on May 13, 2025 at 11:41 pm

    A round of applause for your blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.



  51. www.dolphmicrowave.com on May 19, 2025 at 12:16 am

    Im thankful for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…



  52. https://twinhorsebio.com on May 19, 2025 at 6:18 pm

    Hey, thanks for the blog.



  53. https://twinhorsebio.com on May 19, 2025 at 10:04 pm

    Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Really thank you! Awesome.



  54. https://en.tongwei.cn on May 20, 2025 at 8:47 am

    I cannot thank you enough for the article.Thanks Again.



  55. https://zhgjaqreport.com on May 21, 2025 at 12:05 pm

    I loved your article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.



  56. 橙新聞 on May 22, 2025 at 8:57 am

    A big thank you for your article post.Really thank you!



  57. Fuel Pump on May 22, 2025 at 6:13 pm

    I appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really looking forward to read more.



  58. leoguar emtb on May 23, 2025 at 12:15 pm

    Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…



  59. 佳文网 on May 25, 2025 at 9:27 am

    I think this is a real great article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.



  60. drop shipping on May 25, 2025 at 11:03 pm

    Im thankful for the article.Really thank you! Fantastic.



  61. novoline on May 26, 2025 at 9:08 am

    Appreciate you sharing, great blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.



  62. 交易真探 on May 27, 2025 at 8:29 pm

    I appreciate you sharing this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.



  63. Automatic Cutting Equipment on May 28, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    Thanks again for the article post. Awesome.



  64. fornd on May 29, 2025 at 9:21 am

    I really enjoy the post.Much thanks again. Great.



  65. https://www.orangenews.hk on May 30, 2025 at 7:33 am

    Thanks again for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.



  66. super ace casino on May 30, 2025 at 11:48 pm

    Really enjoyed this article. Really Cool.



  67. bingo plus app on Jun 1, 2025 at 12:16 am

    Muchos Gracias for your article.Much thanks again. Cool.



  68. perya game on Jun 1, 2025 at 9:25 am

    Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…



  69. Malaysia Slot on Jun 2, 2025 at 5:24 pm

    Great blog post.Really thank you! Cool.



  70. 카지노 바카라 사이트 on Jun 2, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.



  71. 바카라 룰 on Jun 3, 2025 at 12:48 am

    I truly appreciate this article.Thanks Again. Great.



  72. Fuel Pump on Jun 5, 2025 at 1:45 pm

    I loved your article.Much thanks again. Will read on…



  73. 橙新聞 on Jun 11, 2025 at 11:50 am

    Very neat article.Much thanks again. Cool.



  74. https://www.orangenews.hk on Jun 11, 2025 at 4:34 pm

    Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post. Want more.



  75. 橙新聞 on Jun 12, 2025 at 1:18 am

    I am so grateful for your blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.



Leave a Comment





Become a member

Join the Ecommerce Forum South Africa and benefit from industry insights in South Africa and Africa.

Sign up to newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and stay informed of the progress we are making at the Ecommerce Forum South Africa with government during Coronavirus.