| Leaders In a Turbulent World |
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SOUTH Africa’s top future leaders will gather at a major convention in Sandton in March to establish a blueprint for business in the next decade. The Tomorrow’s Leaders Convention – the biggest of its kind ever – comes at a time when South Africa and the world face economic turmoil on a scale not seen in nearly a century. Although bankers and policymakers keep assuring us that South Africa will weather the storm, they are not too forthcoming with information regarding the country’s financial position. Little is being done to provide global markets with information to show that South Africa is a safe investment destination. In addition, we need to consider ways in which to reduce the impact of further contagion and panic in global financial markets on the South African economy. Foreign exchange reserves that cover 12 to 16 weeks worth of exports will not protect us from global slowdown, inflation and recession. The Convention will highlight these and other issues and focus on possible solutions for the months and years to come. It is the second gathering of its kind, with last year’s inaugural event drawing 500 future leaders from across the country. The event was addressed by ANC president Jacob Zuma. This year’s Convention, on March 10, will be addressed by, among others, former DA leader Tony Leon, UNISA Vice Chancellor Professor Barney Pityana, Industrial Development Corporation CEO Geoffrey Qhena and one of South Africa’s leading strategists and facilitators, Chantell Ilbury, who specialises in guiding companies through strategic conversations on the future. The Convention will debate a wide range of issues including business, the oil industry, telecommunications, science and technology, mining, transformation in investment, sustainable construction and engineering and South Africa’s burgeoning casino industry. Hosted by Leadership Magazine and platinum sponsor Anglo American, the event attracts dynamic leaders who have already achieved unusual success in their careers and who are earmarked to head their companies and organisation in the future. The editor of Leadership, Robbie Stammers, says the Convention is a unique opportunity to debate pressing leadership issues and provides a vital networking platform for the country’s emerging talent. “The Convention will result in a blueprint for corporate South Africa, to be published in a coffee table book which, we believe, will become the bible of business in this country for years to come,” says Stammers. According to event director, Dylan James, the nomination period is still open for the 2009 Convention and organisations have been invited to nominate their future leaders to attend, at no cost. “South Africa has an abundance of highly talented leaders and the best way to ensure their future role in our country can be summed up in one word: recognition,” says James. “The Convention is the perfect opportunity to do just that”.
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