2019 EVENTS
Year End Networking – 26 November 2019 – Maslow Hotel, Sandton
On 26 November, the Chamber held its last networking event for 2019 at the ever-reliable Maslow Hotel in Sandton. The crowd of around 60 enjoyed great food kindly sponsored by the Australian Immigration Agency, some liquid holiday cheer and, as ever, great chat and networking. Many thanks also to Flight Centre, Qantas, the Maslow and Cotton On for kindly providing some terrific lucky door prizes. It was great to see many of our new members for 2019 rubbing shoulders with many long-standing members. It’s always a pleasure to see new connections being made.
I want to thank everyone for their support of the Chamber in a busy and rewarding year. Membership is up, participation is up, and I am looking forward to some great events we have planned for next year. Special thanks must go to our executive committee, old and new – Danielle Magidson, Kym Fullgrabe, David Eggleston, Neville Munien, Kym Campton, Sam Kenning and Gili Ramalekana for their efforts, and especially to our unflappable administration star Fabienne Rossouw, who does all the hard work. Happy holidays to all!
Australian High Commissioner Welcome Reception – 24 October 2019 – Workshop 17, 138 West Street, Sandton
On 24 October, The Chamber had the opportunity to welcome the new Australian High Commissioner, HE Ms Gita Kamath. The event was doubly auspicious, being Ms Kamath’s birthday as well. Growthpoint kindly allowed us the use of their Workshop 17 space in Sandton and laid on a wonderful spread of food and drink. Over 60 members came to hear the new High Commissioner speak on the economic importance of SA- Australian trade relations. She will be an outstanding representative of Australia and we are delighted to have her.
Africa Down Under Business Briefing – 1 August 2019
Networking Function – 25 July 2019
Our regular networking drinks took place at the Maslow Hotel on 25 July 2019, following our mid-year Executive Committee meeting. It was great to see a good roll up of around 50 people, including a number of recent new members. The wine flowed, plus the Maslow’s excellent catering, and the only person who had to sing for their supper was yours truly! Corporate members are encouraged to look at sponsoring such informal get togethers – it’s a great way to leverage your membership of the Chamber by presenting your brand and corporate profile to an audience hand-picked for their interest in SA- Australia trade relations
Farewell Reception – 23 May 2019
ABCSA’s Chair Chris Hamilton from BankservAfrica hosted a farewell reception in Johannesburg on 23 May for the outgoing Australian High Commissioner HE Mr Adam McCarthy. The High Commissioner said that he will greatly miss interacting with Australian businesses and ABCSA members including Cotton On, FCM Travel, Orion Minerals and Macquarie Bank who attended the farewell, along with South African businesses with interests in Australia like Growthpoint Properties. Colleagues from DTI, InvestSA and BrandSA attended, along with Tutwa Consulting, Iraj Abedian from Pan African Investment & Research Services and Judi Nwokedi as the IORABF Chair. The High Commissioner said that the economic ties between Australia and South Africa continue to strengthen, with Australia the seventh largest foreign investor in South Africa
ANZAC Day – 25 April 2019
ABCSA members were proud to be represented at the official Australian High Commission Anzac Day remembrance service in Pretoria on 25 April 2019. Australia was grateful to commemorate the service in South Africa, a nation that shares the same values of democracy, freedom, equality and respect. The best way we can honour the Anzac spirit is to stand against intolerance, racism and xenophobia, and value compassion which is central to the spirits of Australia and New Zealand.
AGM & Networking Drinks – 28 March 2019
On 28 March, 2019, the Chamber conducted its Annual General Meeting followed by networking drinks at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton. All office bearers were reappointed, including yours truly as Chair and committee members: Danielle Magidson, Kym Fullgrabe, David Eggleston and Neville Munien.
I spoke briefly about the member survey we have just conducted, which indicated a general satisfaction with the events and services and a desire to grow membership and improve networking. Chamber members made some useful observations and comments which your Executive Committee will consider at their next meeting.
A cheerful crowd joined us for drinks afterward, to celebrate another year of chamber activities.
Chris Hamilton
Economic Breakfast Seminar – 26 February 2019
Many thanks to Nedbank for hosting a fascinating business and economics breakfast on 26 February 2019 in Johannesburg for ABCSA members. Nedbank’s Senior Economist Nicky Weimar gave a riveting readout of South Africa’s budget and the economic trajectory going forward. The Australian High Commissioner HE Adam McCarthy provided opening remarks on the continuing strength of the Australia-South Africa economic relationship, with Australia the seventh largest foreign investor in South Africa.
Australia Day – 24 January 2019
ABCSA was thrilled to participate at the Australian High Commission Pretoria’s Australia Day 2019 celebrations with a traditional Aussie Barbeque, entertainment by the Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir, and an Australian business showcase. The Australian business “marketplace” showcased a number of ABCSA members including Cotton On, Flight Centre-South Africa, Qantas and Worley Parsons, with R.M.Williams, PEAK Destinations, Solahart, and Orion Minerals also participating. World Vision-Australia showcased Australian Government funded projects in Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini, and Palladium promoted the work of Australia Awards in Africa. Complementing the business showcase was the photo exhibition ‘Memories of the Struggle’ which documented Australia’s contribution to the South African anti-apartheid struggle.
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