SOUTH AFRICA: INSPIRING NEW WAYS – (from NEWSLETTER 04/2018)

Dear Readers,

The year has gone by quickly and we already find ourselves at the conclusion of a very busy but fruitful 2018. Although not the end of the financial year and with still many activities for the Mission to undergo, there have been some notable highlights to the year which you have undoubtedly read about in our previous newsletters.

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights for South Africa in this last quarter was the highly successful hosting of the Investor Conference in South Africa that was called by President Cyril Ramaphosa in order to promote and commit to economic growth and development in the country, with aims to unlock over $100 billion in investments over the next 5 years.

During the investor conference, there was overwhelming support by the South African and international business community with investment commitments amounting to some R290 billion which already exceeded the objectives for this year’s investment drive. From the international investors who were present, Germany leads the way in investment in the country.

This conference is a sign of things to come for South Africa. The drive to grow investment in the country and eradicate the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality is one that has been given new impetus by the President with a commitment to creating an inviting investment environment in South Africa.

As the Consulate, we continue to heed the call of the President and continue to engage Italian businesses and government agencies to raise the profile of South Africa and its opportunities. This has been a challenging task for us, however with perseverance will come great opportunity.

Of great importance to the Consulate’s work going forward is not only the promotion of investment from Italian companies into South Africa, but also the promotion of South Africa’s products to Italy, showcasing the skill, craftsmanship and quality products that Made in South Africa is beginning to achieve.

In this, we can continue to point to South Africa’s emerging design industry where the Consulate has played host to some of South Africa’s most promising young fashion designers as they try to explore the international stage. The textile sector in South Africa shows great promise and is one example of the quality South Africa can offer the rest of the world.

Going forward into the New Year and the last financial quarter of the financial year the Consulate will continue its activities to promote South Africa’s and South African’s interests in Italy. We will continue to heed the call of the President and do our most to ensure that we do our part to ensure a Better Life for All.

I wish to thank all of our readers and our partners for their support during the year thus far and re-iterate that together we can do more. I look forward to enhanced co-operation and the exploration of new opportunities.

Finally, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. If you are travelling (hopefully to South Africa), I wish you a safe and pleasant journey and a time of happiness with family and friends, and that you return to your homes safely for the New Year.

 

Yours sincerely,

 Titi S Nxumalo

Consul-General

We remind our readers that all enquiries pertaining to visas, permits, minors travelling to South Africa, and to all civic matters for South African citizens living in Northern Italy must be forwarded to our Consular Section at consular.milan@dirco.gov.za. Should you wish to fix an appointment with the Consular Section, please contact us at 02/8858581.