Hout Bay Business Opportunities Forum
Celebrates at Harbour Hights |
 |
 |
On Friday 20 July the Western Cape MEC for Finance and Tourism, Ms Lynne Brown visited Hout Bay to meet with all those interested in Tourism development for job creation.
The Minister also went walk-about to visit projects in the neighbourhood.
Right in the picture: Professor Denis Goldberg, MEC for Finance and Tourism Lynne Brown and Jonathan Dreyer, Chair HBBOF
Host for the afternoon:
Prof. Denis Goldberg |
During the afternoon HBBOF, the Hout Bay Business Opportunities Forum, hosted an informal braaivleis and drinks gathering at the home of Professor Denis Goldberg where all the stakeholders could meet informally to get to know each other.
MEC Brown spent some time in a very relaxt environment with Councillor Marga Hayward also joining the gethering.
This was not a party political gathering, but recognition that the needs of the people of the Bay, especially those who live in Imizamo Yethu and the Hangberg, requires an all-in approach to economic growth and job creation.
This theme was reiterated in the short comments made by Professor Goldberg when he welcomed the guests, MEC Brown, and Councillor Hayward.
Juicy chops and wine make for easy "getting to know you."
|
|
Tourism in South Africa
 |
 |
Repositioning the Country’s Brand
South Africa exists in a very competitive global environment. It is competing with provinces in China, cities in England, Eastern Europe, Brazil etc. One clear example of this competition is that 90% of the world’s biggest luggage is made in a town in China that is not bigger than Cape Town. As such South Africa will never be able to compete in areas that its competitors are advanced in.
Writes: Edwin Sipho Rihlamvu
What sets South Africa distinctly apart from the rest of the world is arguably the spirit of its people. However, as a developing country South Africa cannot afford to be lax and assume to be sure of the future. It is a given that the country is under the spotlight, particularly because of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and that it needs to do something different – it requires to differentiate itself from its competitors – through sustained tourism.
Probing the abilities South Africa’s tourism sector
In 2006 almost 8.4 million foreign nationals visited South Africa. This was easily the highest number of arrivals South Africa has ever experienced, and it represented a 13.9% increase over the previous year (2005). The global average growth was 4.5% over this period.
“Tourism has been recognized at the highest possible level for its significant impact on the economy. The industry’s contribution to the GDP has increased from 4.6% in 1993 to 8.3% in 2006. We are now looking to increase our GDP contribution to 12% by 2014” says Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Tourism brings in over R66 billion per annum to the economy and contributes over half a million jobs and the industry just keeps growing.
It is known that for every visitor that comes to a country and has a good experience, three more people are likely to come! For every visitor that comes and has a bad experience, 10 more people are likely not to come. It is also known that 70% of customer brand perception is determined by experiences with people.
Thus South Africa’s critical imperative is to constantly improve if not perfect its frontline strategy while packaging products – this will assist in shaping perceptions about the country, whether a visitor is a tourist or an investor coming to trade. Just to paint the picture more vividly, investors look past the clever advertising and look for quality and reliability.
This is not different in terms of product branding as tourists look beyond the brand promise and look for depth of experience. Therefore, as a developing country South Africa has so far succeeded to create something special which, differentiates it from the competition.
Comments Nthato Malope of the International Marketing Council of South Africa: “For tourism to consistently grow before, during and after the 2010 Soccer World Cup, South Africa would have to create the appropriate brand behavior, brand discipline, brand language, brand culture and brand leadership. This is critical in starting to create the depth of experience when people engage with the country”.
The importance of this is evident in other countries’ commitment to improving their branding. For example, India has a budget of $300 million a year to promote tourism and investment to its shores.
It is also known that some parts of India are worse than Alexandra Township in Johannesburg, but this has not dented the image of that country as its economy continues to grow while it enjoys a successful pull-factor for international investment and tourism.
“Our competitors are far more advanced in terms of defining who they are, their size and scale of the economy. What is going to set us apart is the depth of experience when people come to South Africa, feeling very welcomed in the country, with us having a sense of ubuntu” declared Fikile Dilika, Chief Director, Investing in Culture, at the Department of Arts and Culture.
However, South Africa would have to do more than branding if it hopes to capitalize on international markets. At the "Italy – South Africa" tourism seminar that was held in June 2007 in Johannesburg, Guiseppe Boscoscuro, president of ASTOL (Italian Tour Operators Association) cautioned: “Until a direct flight between Italy and South Africa is reinstated, nothing can be done to boost Italian arrivals”. This after the seminar heard that 680 000 Italians have expressed interest in traveling to South Africa, compared with the 53 600 who actually did in 2006.
Daniel Winteler, Chairman and CEO of Alpitour in Italy, said this is not due to airlift constraints, but also due to ineffective marketing practices. “Effective marketing needs to be achieved collaboratively. Co-marketing is vital as South Africa needs to find the engine that connects demand with supply” said Winteler.
Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)
For the South African economy to grow there needs to be in place an active black population. Beyond the obvious grounds, this economic imperative should drive BEE from both a Government and a private sector point of view.
The principles espoused by the Tourism BEE Charter of measuring BEE success beyond equity ownership, and the spread of that ownership, are crucial. To this end the Tourism BEE scorecard will be a powerful driver of real BEE transformation in South Africa.
Furthermore, one by one, the different industrial sectors of the country’s business landscape are coming to the party, with aggressive “charters” mapping out the route that will be followed over the next five to ten years to put BEE sensibly into effect. There is no doubt that in a relatively short period of time BEE will be just as much part of the South African business community as watching the exchange rate.
According to Nikki Kearns, director of business banking at Standard Bank, one of the sponsors of the 2005 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report (GEM), black economic empowerment legislation could potentially have a positive effect on stimulating entrepreneurial activity in South Africa – and with the country’s level of early stage business activity measured to be at a relatively low level in comparison with other developing nations around the world, such an effect could not have come at a better time.
“GEM 2005 indicates that South Africa’s level of entrepreneurial activity has decreased since the 2004 survey. However, as the effects of broad based black economic empowerment legislation take place in this country, it is my view that as the level of people entering the formal economy – as well as gaining access to banking systems increases, more people will be in a position to exercise their business creativity than was previously possible” says Kearns.
However, with the introduction of the BEE Financial Sector Charter in 2003, certain provisions and responsibilities have been set out for financial institutions to contribute to the redress of past economic imbalances. While many of these responsibilities focus on an increase in the executive-level participation of the previously disadvantaged, there is a believe in the combination of certain measures that will contribute to improved entrepreneurship, such as requirements for skills development, corporate social investment and notably, the introduction of an initiative to extend bank services to more South Africans.
Sindiswa Nhlumayo, Head of the BEE Charter Council at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) reflects: “We see BEE as a benefit to the economy and business in South Africa. BEE enables economic growth and by bringing on an empowerment partner will give businesses access to new markets, which in turn will lead to business growth”.
2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will have a greater impact on the South African economy than previously thought, with consulting firm Grant Thornton estimating the event will contribute at least R51.1 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This is against the original estimate of R21.3 billion, which was presented in a financial impact report by Grant Thornton's tourism, hospitality and leisure division for South Africa's World Cup bid committee in 2004.
Business Report reported that R15.6 billion of this new estimate will be brought in by foreign tourists. The revised estimates of the impact of the World Cup on the economy include direct expenditure of R30.4 billion, up from R12.7 billion initially. According to the paper, this additional GDP contribution will sustain the equivalent of 196 400 annual jobs, some of which already exist.
According to Grant Thornton, the economic impact was based on 289 000 overseas visitors watching three to four matches each and 48 000 African visitors watching three matches each. About 115 000 domestic tourists will watch two matches each. Calculations are based on a stay of 15 days because foreign tourists are not expected to stay for the month-long tournament.
Standard Bank economist Goolam Ballim said that "There will be a big direct injection for the economy. But the indirect impact may be more meaningful for a sustainable economic lift in subsequent years ... it will help change the perceptions that a large number of foreign investors hold of Africa and South Africa".
On his visit to South Africa in June 2007, FIFA president Sepp Blatter told local media that “nothing, nothing can be against a World Cup in South Africa, nothing but God”.
At the forty fifth meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Commission for Africa in May 2007 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia South Africa was unanimous elected as the Chair of the 2010 Soccer World Cup Steering Committee.
“This is indeed confirmation of expectations to see South Africa playing a leading role towards the successful hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup” said Patience Molokoza, Director, International Tourism Relations at DEAT.
“As a consequence we have been communicating with citizens of the world that the 'Win in Africa with Africa' slogan that was presented and adopted in Ethiopia is itself an affirmation that the 2010 Soccer World Cup should be a collaborative project which is to be led by Africans” concluded Molokoza.
While leading a delegation to South Africa in June 2007 to strengthen relations that are aimed at promoting the country in the United States of America, Agrippa Ezozo, president of the US-based African Diaspora Foundation pronounced that “special emphasis would be placed on prospects for tourism development and sports related businesses in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup”.
"We are confident that the 2010 Soccer World Cup will do the same to consolidate our self-respect and dignity, gained when we attained our freedom and democracy in 1994 and, in a unique way, help our own nation and the continent of Africa, also to bask in the 'miracle of South Africa' " said Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa. "Every day we take important steps to unite what was a divided nation" he concluded.
Conclusion
It is so far convincing that the tourism sector in South Africa is making interesting strides in positioning the country internationally. The pay-off line that the country is “alive with possibilities” holds true in this age than it never was before. The challenge would be how the country plans to keep alive the momentum. This because the ultimate beneficiaries of these interactions would be ordinary South Africans who should emerge from the poverty trap that afflicts the continent, increase employment and more equitably spread the gains of economic growth. At this stage, more than any other in the history of its democracy and freedom, South Africans must hold steadfast and deliver on the pledge to build a better life for all.
|
|
Women’s Day and “The World Unseen”
|
Mark Visser
Media Liason Officer
|
|
In light of Women’s Day, the CFC will be supporting Women in Film and Television (WIFTSA) in a networking function to be held on 30 August 2007. The function will also serve as a special premiere screening of the recent South Africa-Canada co-production, “The World Unseen”.
This follows its recent selection to premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival taking place from 6 to 15 August. The festival will not only be host to the world premiere, but will also recognise the success of the South African/Canadian co-production treaty.
The treaty which was signed in 1997 has seen numerous successes through this collaboration, with one of the first major success being the 22 part sci-fi series Charlie Jade which received good reviews in Canada, numerous European countries and the U.S.
 Printer Friendly Version
Cape Film Commission at the AFCI International Cineposium
The Cape Film Commission will once again be attending Association of Film Commissions International’s (AFCI) Annual Cineposium which takes place between 26 and 30 August 2007 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The CFC will not only be attending but has also been invited as a quest speaker this year.
This year the Cape Film Commission will be actively involved in the Cineposium as a speaker on Film Commissions as Economic Developers. Being one of the few international commissions that go beyond marketing and promotion, the CFC has played an integral role in the development of the region’s production industry in terms of it’s place in job creation and it’s contribution to a region’s economy.
This marks a completely new field for many commissions internationally due to the fact that few countries have considered looking at their already established industries in terms of development. The discussion will take the form of a Master’s Class which is part of the AFCI’s Proffesional Development Program.
The Cineposium is primarily an event for film commissions to share information as well as to gain training and information in commission specific issues and areas such as working with financial incentives, the effects of digital media on film across the world as well as best practices to encourage environmentally friendly film production.
Printer Friendly Version
|
|
Hake Processing
|
|
|
|
Shantaal Meter
CEO of Bluefin Holding
|
Flow Diagram for Hake fillets
Discharge
from Vessel
Heading
Gutting
De Scaling
Filetting
Trimming
Grading
Packing
Weighing
Labelling
Blast Freezing
Holding Room
|
|
|
|
|
Debbie Bird |
Compiled by Wendy Meyl and Debbie Bird
Seafood Festival Babes
The Hout Bay Seafood Festival celebrated Woman’s Day in many ways on Thursday 9th August. Firstly Cllr Marga Haywood, first woman ward Councillor for Hout Bay, opened the festival with an inspirational story of women empowering themselves and gave some insight into a personal encounter with gender discrimination which she now proudly testifies to the impact that women have had in ensuring gender equality in South Africa.
Then, a new national sport was declared at the festival with the first ever Ladies Snoek Flekking Competition. This fun component, sponsored by Snoekies, saw eight ladies selected from Snoekies, Mariners Fish Emporium, Fish for Africa, Oceana Brands SA Sea Products and Grey’s Marine showing their skill at flekking fish with razor sharp knives. The winner, Denise Julies from Mariners won a fabulous hamper of woman’s products from Woolworths which was handed out by Rykie Barnard, manager of the Hout Bay Tourism Information office. This is the one component of the festival that I am most excited about said Debbie Bird, one of the co-ordinators. We hope to grow this event and invite lady fish flekkers from other harbours to participate.
Vanessa Ntlokwana and Hans Callesen
|
Finally, the seafood festival welcomed a new young lady into the world. Albertina Xoliswa, who was working for Funland Funfair at the festival went into labour. Bhuti August, her husband ran for help. Timothy Jacobs, from Hout Bay Business Opportunities Forum, one of the festival coordinators called for Vanessa Ntlokwana, volunteer for Bambanani, who he knew had some medical training as a nurse. Vanessa rushed to the scene in the trailer in which Albertina and Bhuti were staying. She said the baby’s head was already crowning. She said she immediately called Watchcon who called Metro dispatch control who summonsed Hout Bay’s paramedics. The ambulance rushed to the scene but baby Mbali Peni could not wait to come to the Seafood Festival
and so Vanessa delivered her. Hans Callesen of Hout Bay Volenteer Emergency Medical Services arrived in seconds, stabilized mom and baby and ensured that all was well. Albertina and Mbali were taken by ambulance to Retreat MOU and they confirmed that all was well with mom and baby.
Vanessa said that the new mom has very little and anyone who would like to donate baby clothes, blankets or anything else for the baby may do so by contacting the organizers:
|
|
|
|
No. 020-01
|
The next most exciting event on Hout Bay's Business Calender is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Hout Bay (Black) Business Opportunities Forum (HB BOF).
It will be held at 13:30h, on Saturday the 25th of August 2007, at the HB BOF offices (Old Yacht Club).
Don't miss this opportunty to be part of greatness.
See you there and if you don't attend you will be surely missed but you will also miss out.
Feel free to contact:
Timothy at 083 390-4966
for more details.
Remember opportunity knocks only once, so use this one wisely.
 About HBBOF
|
Requesting applications for Locations Assistant
|
Please Diarise:
GETAWAY SHOW
2007
24-26 August
Johannesburg
The Getaway Show is an annual, national, interactive and informative showcase for all outdoor-product suppliers, as well as travel and tourism-related marketers. Appearing in South Africa's three major cities, the show offers exhibitors the chance to communicate directly with outdoor, adventure travel and ecotourism enthusiasts. The Getaway Show is scheduled to take place from 24-26 August 2007 at the Dome @ Northgate in Johannesburg.
Cape Town Routes Unlimited in conjunction with the Tourism Business Forum will provide a platform for 4 tourism products to exhibit at the Getaway Show 2007 with other tourism products from Cape Town and Western Cape.
|
The Sembach Art Gallery
|
RE-INVENTING THE WHEEL
This is a call for HELP, so to say “re-inventing the wheel”. Edwin Rihlamvu, a wheelchair disabled, was hijacked on the highway and left there for 2 hours while surrounded by heavy early morning traffic. He is now short of a car with special alterations to be done to accomodate the wheelchair disabled.
|
Opening of the
Hout Bay Seafood Festival
&
Snoek Derby
9 August 2007
by
Councillor Marga Haywood
A warm Welcome to the residents and visitors at this colourful event today. As we all know today is National Women’s Day.
On the 9th of August 1956 thousands of South African women joined hands and marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over the petition signed by women all over the country, demanding an end to dehumanising pass-laws.
Whilst the overwhelming majority were black women, women of all race groups participated.
Every year since then, although for the first 38 years unofficially, 9 August was remembered by South Africans wanting to honour women and gender issues.
How are we affected by all of this, here, today?
The women who marched 51 years ago, are or were our mothers and grandmothers.
The women of today do not have to carry ‘dom-passes’, they are able to cast their votes freely and fairly, and they are, in theory, supposed to benefit from affirmative action. But have today’s women managed to escape the legacy of the past? How have I personally been affected by discrimination?
In 1976, at the time of the uprising of the youth against the discriminatory practises of the government at the time, I was in Matric, and looking forward, starry-eyed, to a professional career in law. Up until then I escaped, for the most part, the devastating effect of discrimination, mostly because I was fortunate enough to have a father who was enlightened and a proclaimed feminist.
However, this was about to change.
When I phoned the local magistrate's court in Port Elizabeth, or Mandela Bay as it is known today, to enquire about a future career in the professional core of the department of Justice, I was informed, sorry, this is for men only.
I would like to take a moment to get this of my chest: Mr Paul van der Merwe, I only talked to you once but the memory of your prejudice will stay with me forever...In spite of the prejudice against women that prevailed in your regime, the oppression imposed on us by the Broeder Bond, look at what has been achieved by women today:
- In Cape Town we have a female Mayer, who is also the leader at the official Opposition Party in the country
- At national level we have a female Vice President
- In Hout Bay citizens demonstrated their dislike for past discriminatory practises when they casted their votes en masse in the February by-election this year, for Hout Bay’s first female councillor (5980 votes from across the broader community)
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you once again, to all those women and men, who showed their absence of prejudice, in the recent by-election.
And this brings me to a final, but very important point … Behind every successful woman stands a supportive man.
This brings me to today’s event, the opening of the Hout Bay Seafood Festival, which aims at bringing together all the local communities in celebration of living and sustaining a living on the Atlantic Seaboard and to draw attention to tourism, environmental awareness and above all, community spirit.
The Hout Bay Seafood Festival, incorporating the traditional Snoek Derby, is a celebration of outdoor life styles, cultural diversity, family fun and environmentally friendly living, whilst embodying the colourful character of the Cape fishing community.
In the tradition of this celebration I would like to declare this event now officially opened.
 Printer Friendly Version
|
|
|
|
Distribution:
Our e-News are distributed to arts & culture, the film, stills & commercial industry, wildlife, heritage, companies servicing and attracting tourism ( tourist offices, travel agents, tourist guides & tour operators) locally and abroad as well as to people who have an interest in visiting South Africa.
Published by
To ADVERTISE in this Newsletter
 news@onsetimages.com or call 021 790-2227
Alternatively send us your CONTACT INFORMATION
 |
Approved Service Provider:
Branding and Design of Business Forms |
Print Newsletter (note: set to landscape format) 
|
|
|
info@hbbof.co.za
