Chamber Chapter meeting for The West Country..

Cost: £5 to cover teas, coffee and cake.

No booking required, you're welcome to just turn up!

A networking session for the East of England Chapter.

Programme

08:30- Arrival and open networking

08:45 - Start, get yourself a bacon/egg sandwich and a hot drink

09:00 - South African Chamber of Commerce updates

09:10 - Getting to know you

09:30 - Speaker

09:45- Ubuntu (an opportunity for recommendations or all-round positivity!)

10:00- Finish

Lord Hain has kindly invited The South African Chamber of Commerce UK to host our 2nd Annual Gala Dinner in the glorious Cholmondeley Room, at the House of Lords, on March 3, 2020.

Last year's inaugural event was a resounding success, and we're hoping to make it even better this year. We've reduced the capacity slightly to maximise your comfort, as although we were delighted the event was so heavily subscribed, we were at the very limit of what the venue could cater to. So please do book early to avoid disappointment!

In addition to a sumptuous menu and fine wines, we'll be entertained this year by Nic Vani, a highly accomplished South African actor and singer best known for his long running role in the Lion King.

Our Keynote Speaker will be Ivor Gardiner FInstLM MCMI, who is a South African born former SAS officer with 22 years experience in combat zones around the world. Since leaving the military due to injury, he now works as a Director within Berwicks Consultants Limited, which specialises in Risk Management consultancy with broad experience in delivering leadership, crisis management and emergency response capabilities to high hazard, high consequence industries.

The focus of his talk will be "Effective lessons of leadership and crisis management." which will explore what good leadership is, drawing examples from his career in the special forces.

The Annual Gala dinner is the premier event in the Chamber's calendar, and offers an unforgettable evening in a highly prestigious venue in the company of some of the brightest and most influential members of the South African business community in the UK.

The South African Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce are delighted to present two seminars on Black Economic Empowerment. These will take place on 2nd March in Maidenhead, and on 4th March in London.

To book for the Maidenhead event, click here.

Now that Brexit means that the UK is breaking away from the EU it opens up new opportunities for trade with South Africa. This Seminar is designed to give insights into the criteria for a successful business in South Africa, in particular how to manage the BEE process to ensure success.

Come and join us to gain a deeper understanding of the BEE Act and associated Codes of Good Practice.

Bruce Lennon (right), a qualified and experienced Practitioner in this complex field, will share insights and understanding of Black Economic Empowerment which he has gained from providing administrative and strategic support to small, medium and large companies since the Act's inception in 2007.

David White (left), a Business Development Mentor and HR Practitioner for the past 20 years, will share understanding of how BEE is encouraging learning and opportunity for SME's to access the economy.

David White and Bruce Lennon work side by side each day, helping their Clients to understand Black Economic Empowerment, and to remain relevant and accredited to trade services with their specific target markets.

Black Economic Empowerment is an important criterion for companies to trade effectively in the South African market.  Once understood, it contains many opportunities for the development of human capital and effective supplier relationship.

Companies wishing to develop business opportunities in South Africa need to be aware of the dynamics of Black Economic Empowerment legislation in order to take full advantage of it. 

Agenda:

• Introduction by Mike Miller, Founder and Director Emeritus South African Chamber of Commerce and President of the Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce.
• Welcome by South African High Commissioner to the UK HE Tembi Tambo
• Welcome by South African Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sharon Constancon
• Introduction to the two keynote speakers David White and Bruce Lennon by Mike Miller, Founder & Director Emeritus of SACC and President MDCC
• Current employment and entrepreneur training needs in South Africa by David White
• Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment - BEE. Bruce Lennon will show that BEE properly applied creates definite training and employment opportunities.
• Q&A - BEE and doing business in South Africa.

Tickets are £24, with a 50% discount for members.

The South African Chamber of Commerce Awards is a celebration of the best efforts and achievements of the South African community in the UK, all wrapped up into a fantastic gala evening. We invite nominations in a range of award categories, each focussing on specific areas on business and community activity. If you know someone who excels at what they do, then they deserve your nomination.

For full details, including award categories, criteria and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the dedicated Awards website.

The annual Chamber AGM meeting to appoint officers and report back to members.

South Africa, 2019. Twenty-five years since the first post-apartheid democratic elections, two men from contrasting walks of life are thrust together to reflect on a quarter century of change.

Watch trailer

Jack Morris is a celebrated classical actor who's just been given both a career-defining role and a life-changing diagnosis. Besides his age, Jack has seemingly little in common with his at-home nurse Lunga Kunene, but the two men soon discover their shared passion for Shakespeare, which ignites this 'rich, raw and shattering head-to-head' (The Times).

Don't miss John Kani's highly acclaimed play Kunene and the King marking the 25th anniversary of the end of apartheid with a strictly limited London run, following its premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon and a sold-out run in Cape Town.

Written by South African actor, activist and playwright John Kani (Black Panther, The Island, Sizwe Banzi is Dead), this refreshingly funny and vital new play is directed by Janice Honeyman (Vice Versa; The Tempest, 2009), with exceptionally moving performances from fellow South African Antony Sher (King Lear, 2016 & 2018; Death of a Salesman) and John Kani; live music and vocals are by Anna Mudeka who completes the company.

Book now for this 'fascinating and necessary' (Financial Times) play, co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Cape Town's Fugard Theatre, as it transfers to the Ambassadors Theatre for nine weeks only from 24 January 2020.

Please note: This show contains strobe lighting, strong language, and some scenes that audiences may find upsetting.

Production photo by Ellie Kurttz.