BRICS conference empowers African businesswomen
by FUTHI MBHELE
DURBAN, (Durban Today) – THE Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Africa Women Business Alliance Trade Conference is poised to pave the way for partnerships between local women-owned businesses and counterparts in other countries.
Enterprises in the hospitality industry will be the main beneficiaries.
More than 500 women from Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe attended, alongside those from host country, South Africa.
It was held in Durban on August 20-21.
KwaZulu Natal provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, encouraged the twinning of cities, provinces, academic institutions and partnership among the business fraternity in the BRICS countries and the continent.
“Africa has more than 1 billion consumers of goods and services,” Duma said.
“The continent’s richness in largely unexploited minerals and other natural resources makes it much more strategically important,” he said.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) employed some 15 individuals as Tourism Ambassadors during the BRICS event.
“They have injected energy and vibrancy. Their efficiency and friendly smiles have left a long lasting impression on delegates. Delegates will undoubtedly come back as tourists,” Duma said.
Thandeka Mafuleka, one of the young ambassadors, welcomed the opportunity.
“This has given me the opportunity to mingle and also pick the brains of the most wonderful brilliant business minded women from all over the world. This has also inspired me to also one day be the most powerful and brilliant business woman and inspire a lot of young people especially women to open their own businesses,” she said.
The young ambassadors ensured a seamless experience in KZN for the visitors.
KZN is South Africa’s tourism and trade hub.
It has two harbours, Richards Bay and Durban, as well as the state-of-the-art Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone.
The province boasts World Heritage Sites including the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg, which is the home to the original Khoisan paintings and Isimangaliso Wetland Park.
The King Shaka International Airport serves the province.
