Latest news with #KrugerLowveldChamberofBusinessandTourism
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Key takeaways of day 2 of the KLCBT Business Conference
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) concluded its two-day business conference today and delegates and speakers were left feeling inspired and hopeful for the future of South Africa and its business in the Lowveld. Linda Grimbeek, KLCBT CEO, welcomed delegates back to the second day of the conference and gave a brief recap of the previous day's events. She introduced the second programme which included seven speakers for the day with big tourism influencers like Oupa Pilane and Tshifhiwa Tshivengwa. ALSO READ: Key takeaways of day 1 of the KLCBT Business Conference The first speaker, Tshifhiwa Tshivengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, delved into Integrated Safety Collaboration. He highlighted the effect that crime has on tourists' safety and what impact it will have on the industry going forward. He discussed the persistently problematic high unemployment rates, which lead to poaching and tourists getting attacked. 'We can't have a Kruger National Park with a Big 4 because of crime,' he stated. Next up was Calvin Mabona, deputy chairperson of the Old Mutual Board , sharing shocking South African health risk statistics and why it's important to invest in a financial plan and will. 'South Africa is the second most stressed-out nation in the world,' he boldly admitted. Mabona shared five secrets on how to manage your finances by comparing them to the Big 5. Victor Windvoël, chairperson of the Nkomazi SEZ, delivered a speech titled the 'Big Plan', which discussed their five-year strategic plan that will be finalised this year. They have appointed a new CFO and CEO and are also developing a Nkomazi SEZ Township establishment. 'We make sure we have the proper designs for our infrastructure building plans,' Windvoël said. Oupa Pilane, KLCBT Special Attaché, shared compelling tourist statistics in Mpumalanga and South Africa and spoke about the challenges the Lowveld faces. 'The biggest barrier to tourism growth is government,' he said bluntly. Pilane motivated business owners to invest in and develop their organisations to encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money in the Lowveld. Prof Theuns Eloff spoke about the State of the Nation and the difficulties South Africa is confronting at the moment. He further predicted heavy tides to come in the next three years, especially on the economic front. He is however hopeful and said we, as South Africans, need to change our perspective in order to have a growing economy. 'Sometimes we don't see the problems around us anymore, because we as South Africans want to survive' Eloff declared. Adv Stephanie Fick, OUTA Director, passionately spoke about corruption and their mission to help businesses expose irregularities. She shared real-world examples of companies that came forward and revealed fraud that united the country. Fick further gave practical tips to help businesses follow ethical business practices. 'Refuse to participate in corruption and support transparent procurement and ethical leadership,' she said. ALSO READ: KLCBT Business Conference to start tomorrow The day ended with an engaging panel discussion led by Izak du Plessis from Nuupod with Adv Stephanie Fick, Linda Grimbeek and Prof Theuns Eloff. The panel discussed their vision to combat corruption in South Africa and inspire delegates to invest in their businesses to make a change. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
KLCBT Business Conference to start tomorrow
No fewer than 14 fantastic speakers will take the podium during the inaugural annual business conference hosted by the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) which launches tomorrow at the Emnotweni Arena. The conference aims to reinspire, reignite and re-energise Lowveld business owners and CEOs. May 21 will mark the first day of the two-day conference and the programme will kick off with future infrastructure investments as well as developments in the digital space. While everybody's talking AI, which is included in the programme, the subject of personal networking and branding will be addressed. ALSO READ: Exciting economic developments to boost the Lowveld The day will close with the very popular political economist, Moeletsi Mbeki, who suggests that government wages should be slashed. Patrons are all invited to attend a special networking dinner with the speakers and the current KLCBT president, Prof David Mabunda. The second day will focus on forecasts and potential, including the subjects of safety and security, the economic landscape, plans for the Nkomazi SEZ, and the necessity of development in tourism. None other than Prof Theuns Eloff will present his own version of the 'State of the nation address', augmented by Adv Stefanie Fick who will weave more into 'The big, the good and the ugly'. It will take a media guru like Izak du Plessis of Nuuspod to summarise the key takeaways from the conference and to leave the Lowveld Inspired! ALSO READ: Warm welcome for new KLCBT president In addition to the excellent conference line-up, delegates will also have the opportunity to visit 20 exhibitions in the hall next door. Conference bookings are filling up fast, so it is advisable to book timeously to avoid disappointment. Visit the KLCBT Facebook page or website for ongoing updates or to secure your spot. Wednesday, May 21 10:00 – Delegate registration 10:30 – Opening and welcome: Linda Grimbeek, KLCBT CEO 11:00 – Investment confidence: Louis Nel, Manganese Metal Company CEO 11:30 – Future infrastructure growth: Alex van Niekerk, TRAC N4 CEO 12:00 – Farmer makes a plan: Robert Davel, Agri Mpumalanga CEO 12:30 – Networking as a sport: Cornelle Crowley, BNI 13:00 – Lunch 14:00 – The future of AI: Indio Swartz, Dinges Tech 14:30 – Ignite the WHY: Building the future of business WFA: Conversation led by Wayne Langridge, founder and CEO 15:00 – Slash government wages, fuel the future: Moeletsi Mbeki, political economist 15:30 – Summary of the day and closure 18:00 – President's dinner. Thursday, May 22 08:00 – Delegate registration 08:30 – Recap and opening: Linda Grimbeek 09:00 – Integrated safety collaboration: Tshifhiwa Tshivengwa, Tourism Business Council of South Africa CEO 09:30 – Economic landscape: Calvin Mabona, Old Mutual 10:00 – The big plan: Victor Windvoël, Nkomazi SEZ chairperson 10:30 – Tea break 11:00 – Investment in tourism, a necessity: Oupa Pilane, KLCBT special attaché 11:30 – The state of the nation: Prof Theuns Eloff 12:00 – The big, the good and the ugly: Adv Stefanie Fick, OUTA director 12:30 – Takeaways panel discussion led by Izak du Plessis of Nuuspod 13:00 – Closure and lunch. Lowvelder will attend the two-day conference to give you all the latest updates on the speakers and events. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
