Securex South Africa, held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, from 6 to 8 June 2023, has a 30-year history as the largest source of security offerings on the continent.
A visit to Securex South Africa not only guides industry professionals to the optimal product or service for their specific requirements, but also provides them with an opportunity to find out more about current trends and legislation at the free-to-attend Securex Seminar Theatre.
Visitors can further maximise their time at the Expo by visiting the co-located A-OSH EXPO, Facilities Management Expo, and the recently launched Firexpo.
Realness Institute together with partners the Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy Film Festival, and FAME Week Africa, this week announced that the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, its 7thRealness Screenwriters’Residency edition as well as a new initiative, Episodic Pitcheswill be hosted for the first time at FAME Week Africa in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 9 September this year.
“We’re thrilled to see the Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy getting ready for its first onsite edition during FAME Week. This will continue to boost young and emerging professional into the local and international film industry network,” say Markus Duffner, Head of Locarno Pro and Marion Klotz, Industry Academy Project Manager.
These three programmes housed by Realness Institute, which now has its permanent homebase at The Coot Club in Stanford, Western Cape South Africa, provide opportunities for African filmmakers to develop film and television projects, widen their international networks, and strengthen industry skills.
“I had the pleasure of keynoting the inaugural FAME Week last year and immediately recognized the powerful market it presents for African creators. This is the forum we have all been waiting for on the continent and having a formal partnership with the Realness Institute provides the talent we work with an effective on-ramp to secure deals in the global entertainment business,” says Mehret Mandefro, co-founder and Director of Development and Partnerships.
The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, a Locarno Film Festival initiative is dedicated to the development of young film professionals working in sales, traditional and online distribution, theatrical exhibition and programming for festivals, film clubs and archives. Nine film professionals will have the opportunity to enjoy a focused programme of networking meetings with international professionals, masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions at FAME Week Africa, as well as playing an active role in curating its short film programme, to be screened at The Labia Cinema in Cape Town, from 7 to 9 September.
Realness Screenwriters’Residency is an incubator for African screenwriters in which six participants are given one-on-one practical support through mentorship, focusing on the creative aspects of their work. They are also mentored through the rigorous pitching process to enable them to find potential partners, funders and producers leading up to their market debut.
Episodic Pitches will have its first edition this year, bringing to market the best of the series concepts developed across all Realness’s Episodic efforts from 2021 to 2023. A cohort of 10 creators will be invited to present their well-crafted and developed ideas on stage.
FAME Week Africa provides a development and networking platform for the African creative industries, namely film, television, animation as well as music and entertainment technology. The three Realness programmes will be housed within the MIP Africa event at FAME Week, which is a B2B market for film, television, digital content distribution and co-production business in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mentors for these programmes include Ayanda Halimana, Cait Pansegrouw, Denis Ruh, Eddie Bertozzi, Elias Ribeiro, Frank Spotnitz, Femi Odugbemi, Mehret Mandefro, Mmabatho Kau, Ozi Menakaya, Pauline Fischer, Selina Ukwuoma, Thandeka Zwana and to name a few.
“FAME Week Africa is pleased to partner with the Realness Institute,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa. “Through this collaboration we aim to ignite African storytelling flare by supporting programmes of, and providing platforms for, the Realness Institute to increase the diversity of voices in the film industry, and lead to more interesting, varied, and nuanced stories. It will also give African filmmakers a chance of securing funding, distribution deals, and other resources that can help them bring their stories to life.”
“We hope to expand this partnership even further and to continue to supply the best talent and stories incubated by the Realness Institute, with an aim to stimulate the appetite of buyers and investors to return to FAME Week Africa for more quality projects in the future,” says Elias Ribeiro co-founder and Executive Director of Realness Institute and Regional Manager of Locarno Industry Academy. “Zoom was a great place to keep things running but nothing will ever replace the power being in each other’s presence. We thank FAME Week for holding the space.”
The call for submissions for the Southern Africa Industry Academy opens today (18 April). For more information and criteria go to:
Africa’s Big 7 returns with entries open for the inaugural Innovation Awards
According to Statista, revenue in South Africa’s e-commerce food sector is projected to reach US$522.90 million this year, with an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.47% over 2023-2027.[i] Ordering food online is just one facet of this booming industry, packed with tasty trends and new products to feed demand from the masses.
In its 20th year, a culinary B2B event not to be missed is Africa’s Big 7 taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 18-20 June 2023, offering the best in the food and beverage business to drive industry growth. The event is co-located with SAITEX.
“Africa’s Big 7 brings quality and new, affordable food and beverage products from around the world to Africa’s doorstep,” says Evan Schiff, Portfolio Director: Food, Hospitality and Trade at dmg events.
This year’s show has a feast of features including a series of free-to-attend seminars covering the latest trends and key issues impacting the sector. The SA Bakers Challenge returns to showcase professional and amateur baking talent, along with The National Burger Challenge, in its second year where contestants will serve up their best burgers to possibly be crowned the best burger in the land!
“Up to 60% of South Africa’s population live and work in the township economy, representing a simply massive market with its own specific demands and drivers that are unlike any other part of the economy,” says Schiff.
“We have worked very closely with key stakeholders to build the relationships to make Africa’s Big 7 the best platform for sellers to access this market, and for township business buyers to come and source quality products at the best value, directly facilitating township business growth.”
Africa’s Big 7 is constantly evolving to recognise progress in the food and beverage industry and move it forward. “To recognise outstanding new achievements, we are proud to launch the Innovation Awards this year,” says Schiff.
A call to enter the Innovation Awards is currently running until May this year. All entries will be considered by an expert judging panel and scored on multiple criteria including usefulness, innovation, design, and response to market. Short-listed finalists in each category will be displayed at the exhibition, and the winners announced on the first day of the show. “If you think you have produced the next big thing or know a product that has come to be indispensable to you, then make sure to enter yourself or nominate the supplier now.”
Business model innovation (B2B, B2C, D2C, ecommerce, delivery methods, fintech, route to market)
Packaging
Grand Prix – Best in show
“The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and inspire great work, as well as to boost brand recognition at an event that will attract key decision makers, industry experts and buyers alike,” says Schiff. To nominate a product or business, click here.
Included on Africa’s Big 7 advisory board are consultant, Kiba Bam and Lerato Ramollo, Commercial Director of Yebo Fresh, Nicki Russell, Head of Product and Quality at Pick n Pay and Richard Lawrence, Founder and Managing Director of Innovatr. “It’s great to be involved in a show like Africa’s Big 7, where all walks of life among the industry attend including local taste testers and foodies from afar. It’s literally a melting pot of inspiration, fresh flavours, and new and familiar faces,” Lawrence says.
“Africa’s Big 7 allows you to connect directly with buyers across the African continent, with ample opportunities to discover leads for new business and to access premium, dedicated content covering the latest in food and beverage. We look forward to seeing you there, so don’t forget to register,” Schiff concludes.
AATF Connect will showcase trends and solutions from top industry experts
Technology is always evolving to improve modern life. The latest in artificial intelligence (AI), technology-based tactics, automation and cybersecurity are essential to master, particularly for those working in these sectors, and there is always something new to discover.
Just last month, South Africa introduced the first formally recognised Robotic Process Automation qualification in the EMEA region[i], opening new opportunities in education. Technology shapes so many facets of life and is likely to create an unimaginable and exciting future. What is crucial now however, is to use advancements to solve problems wherever possible.
For example, South Africa recently joining the Financial Action Task Force Grey List for its shortfalls in anti-money laundering (AML) prevention, could benefit from technology-based solutions as a practical way to reduce AML risks quickly.[ii]
Leaning on technology and automation eases doing business, enhances efficiency and inspires new possibilities. The Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) next month brings together experts and professionals working in technology with exhibitors from the automation and technology industries to merge ideas and reimagine the future.
This year’s conference held at the AATF —AATF Connect— will showcase world class content from industry experts and speakers.
“Assessing the top technology and automation trends and innovation, and how these apply to solving local issues such as our water and energy crises, will be among discussions and we will also be hosting CPD accredited workshops in collaboration with eNtsa and the SAIMC, which will be informative particularly for attendees who want to register to earn CPD points,” says Carol Weaving, Managing Director at RX Africa, the event organiser behind this year’s 12th AATF.
The event is co-located with the inaugural Infosecurity Africa, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng from 9-11 May 2023. Infosecurity Africa will showcase the latest in trends, threats, and cybercrime prevention, covering everything businesses need to know about information security, alongside the latest in automation and technology at the AATF.
“We have a stellar line up of presenters at AATF Connect including energy expert Chris Yelland, MD of Business Solutions, Dhevan Pillay, Group CEO of LTM Energy and Dr Dilley Naidoo, Director at RSPH,” Weaving adds.
The energy crisis in South Africa requires an innovative solution and remains among the country’s top priorities where individual provinces are budgeting for alternative power[iii] and securing contracts with independent power producers.[iv]AATF Connect aims to consider what comes next to improve the energy sector.
The first day features discussions on the future of energy while in the afternoon, solving the water crisis will be the focus.
Africa requires $50 billion annually ($40 or just under R714 per individual African per year) to guarantee water supply and achieve sustainable sanitation by 2030[v]. The future of water is firmly on the AATF Connect agenda, highlighting the collective effort required to manage shortage risks. The dams in the Western Cape for example are 59% full[vi]and unpredictable weather in the coming winter makes maintaining sufficient supply a concern, let alone considering the water supply issues facing other provinces around South Africa[vii].
Benoit Le Roy, CEO of the South African Water Chamber NPC and Dr Anthony Turton, Professor at the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State are among AATF Connect speakers on the preservation of water.
On day two of AATF Connect, automation takes centre stage where Johan Steyn, Managing Executive at AI for Business and Brendan van Staaden, Managing Executive of MoData Interactive are among speakers. Topics on the agenda include sustainable automation and the rise of collaborative robots.
“We look forward to inspiring visitors, who can expect a great new venue with access to fresh ideas, top notch networking and the chance to connect with the latest and greatest in all things AI, technology and info-security,” Weaving concludes.
Discover a wide range of products, trends and innovations; registration is open.
Africa’s total population could reach 2.5 billion by 2050, accounting for a quarter of the global population. What does the future of multi-sector trade look like to meet rising population demand on the continent? And how can businesses anticipate the next trends?
For nearly three decades, the Southern African Internatonal Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) has been the go-to multi-sector trade show for local and international importers and exporters to discover, test, and leverage inbound and outbound trade opportunities in Africa.
“SAITEX attendees gain access to the latest trends and innovations, through a wide range of retail products including electronics, home appliances, homeware, cosmetics, household goods, building materials, tools and more,” says Evan Schiff, Portfolio Director: Food, Hospitality and Trade at dmg events.
Taking place from 18-20 June 2023, SAITEX will be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, co-located with popular culinary B2B event, Africa’s Big 7. Registration is open to attend, facilitating global and local trade connections across three days of networking with over 3500 attendees and more than 120 exhibitors expected.
It is estimated that almost half of Southern Africa’s urban population lives in townships and informal settlements. The township economy, or grey economy has an estimated buying power of R900 billion and offers many opportunities for trade. “Our commitment to integrate further with the township economy is close to our hearts and firmly on the SAITEX agenda, promoting sustainable industry growth and fruitful business connections,” Schiff adds.
A series of free-to-attend masterclasses features a diverse range of trade experts, financial institutions and successful entrepreneurs from the trade and township economy sectors. “This unique blend of in-depth industry knowledge will inspire and assist attendees to thrive in the new normal.”
Key topics include rebuilding Gauteng’s economies, featuring a discussion with GEP, SEDA and SEFA. How to mobilise funding for SMMEs will be another focus, along with technology development in the industry from social commerce to blockchain, to trust verification and more. Strategies and opportunities for transformation in the industry will also be under discussion.
The SAITEX Innovation Celebration is among features this year that celebrates top products and solutions. A call to enter these Awards circulates until May and entries will go before an expert judging panel, and finalists will be displayed on the exhibition floor, with the winners announced on the opening day of SAITEX, 18 June 2023.
The Awards categories are Cosmetics and Personal care, Hair care, Cleaning products, Consumer electronics, Furniture, Homeware, Fabrics and textiles, Leather and footwear, Business model innovation (B2B, B2C, D2C, ecommerce, delivery methods, fintech, route to market), Giftware and Sustainability (manufacture, packaging, sourcing), and lastly, Grand Prix – best in show.
“The Awards are a highlight at the event, recognising the exciting developments from participating businesses. The winners are sure to inspire further innovation across divisions,” says Schiff.
SAITEX draws attendance from almost 40 countries and features products sourced from around the world. Registration for exhibitors is open, providing direct access to buyers looking to source the latest products, establish partnerships and conclude import and export deals. “A little over 60% of attendees are decision makers, while almost 20% are influencers, 5% are end users and 15% are industry experts,” Schiff adds.
“Following numerous requests during our stakeholder engagement sessions, we’ve also added a Product Focus Stage this year, giving exhibitors the chance to showcase their products in a dedicated space.”
Included on the SAITEX advisory board are Bernadette Zeiler, CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Noah Debeila, President and CEO of the SMME Chamber of Commerce and Relin Sookoo, Business Development Manager of Massmart Marketplace, and other industry experts.
“Don’t miss an opportunity to connect with Africa’s largest multi-sector trade exhibition and to be inspired by industry excellence and innovations as we head towards immense industry growth in the future. We look forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors to this year’s show,” Schiff concludes.
Mining Review Africa (MRA), South Africa’s premier, multi-media industry engagement platform focused on Africa’s diverse mining sector, is pleased to welcome Tarren Bolton as the new Managing Editor, starting mid-April 2023.
Tarren brings a strong journalistic background to the role, as well as a wealth of experience accumulated over the past 15 years, having served as editor, head of content, managing editor and writer for various B2B (trade and technical) publications and online. As an experienced media professional and content creator with a proven track record of success, Tarren offers a unique blend of expertise in original content curation, editing, copywriting, specialised writing and management.
Tarren’s very versatile 20+ year journalistic career began in the finance industry as the editor of a corporate in-house magazine, before moving on to the more creative field as a writer for consumer magazines, and then as a scriptwriter for a local television soap. As both a creative and technical writer, her writing and editing portfolio spans diverse industries and includes the retail, mining and timber industries.
Her versatility extends to the academic arena, and she is also an approved academic editor. More recently, she has gained experience in the social investment space, with a focus on ESG, which Tarren says is close to her heart. “I am very excited at the prospect of my reintroduction to the mining industry and am honoured to be part of a brand that is well-established as an industry icon. Through this new role, I endeavour to uphold Mining Review Africa’s stellar reputation,” she says.
VUKA Group CEO, David Ashdown says, “I am very pleased to welcome Tarren to VUKA Group as the incoming Managing Editor of Mining Review Africa. I am convinced that she will lead the product and brand confidently, whilst upholding its traditions of excellence in content creation, industry facing reliability and effective communication of news and resource to the African mining sector. In addition, Tarren’s recent experience in the PR Agency arena will see her focus on delivering mining news across the numerous channels to market offered in the MRA portfolio.”
Bruce Robinson, Chairman of the Board, VUKA Group, concludes, “I am pleased to welcome Tarren as an important part of our team. I know that she will be brave and bold and adventurous in how she approaches her role, providing what is needed and expanding horizons on all fronts into a bright fresh future for Mining Review Africa.”
Booth Exhibits™, a leading provider of innovative exhibition solutions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Henriette Havenga-de Kock as the company’s new Director of Client Services. With a proven track record of success in the exhibition and events industry, Henriette brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, positioning Booth Exhibits for continued growth and success.
Henriette is a seasoned professional in the field of exhibitions, having spent over a decade working with various companies in the industry. She is known for her strategic approach, keen eye for detail, and ability to deliver exceptional client experiences. As the Director of Client Services at Booth Exhibits, Henriette will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and enhancing its client-centric approach.
“We are thrilled to welcome Henriette to the team,” said Patrick Wells, Managing Director of Booth Exhibits™. “Her deep industry knowledge, passion for excellence, and commitment to exceptional client service make her the perfect fit for our company. With her leadership, we are confident in our ability to deliver unparalleled exhibition solutions to our clients and achieve our growth plans within the industry.”
Booth Exhibits™ is focused on expanding its market presence and driving innovation in the exhibition and events industry. With Henriette’s strategic guidance, the company plans to further enhance its service offerings, develop new partnerships, and explore opportunities to provide cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients.
“I am honored to join the team at Booth and contribute to the company’s growth and success,” said Henriette. “I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to working closely with our team and clients to exceed their expectations and deliver exceptional results.”
This announcement comes as Booth Exhibits™, a proud member of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), shares its plans for growth and innovation within the exhibition and events industry. With a strong focus on expanding its market presence in the UK and Europe, Booth Exhibits remains committed to driving excellence in the industry and providing unmatched solutions to its clients.
About Booth Exhibits:
Booth Exhibits is a leading provider of innovative exhibition solutions, specialising in modular and custom stand design, booth construction, and event management. With a team of experienced professionals and a customer-centric approach, Booth Exhibits™ delivers exceptional exhibition experiences to clients across various industries.
We, at dmg events, are delighted to announce the appointment of Josh Low as our new Vice President – South Africa, based in our Cape Town office. With more than 11 years of experience in the exhibitions and conferencing industry, Josh brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization.
Prior to joining us, Josh served as the Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt SA. During his time there, he oversaw the development and execution of several fairs in various industries. Notably, many of these fairs were the largest of their kind on the African continent.
We look forward to having Josh join our team to further expand our business across Africa, an important growth market for us and our customers. With his extensive experience and leadership, we are confident that Josh will be instrumental in driving our success in this region.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
