Brand South Africa today concluded the inaugural Nation Brand Forum at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton.  The Forum was aimed at bringing together all stakeholders who represent the broad spectrum of South African society, and concluded with a call on all South Africans to play their part in building a strong, cohesive Nation Brand.

Opening the Forum, Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi said, “Building a national brand depends on nation building and how cohesive we are as a nation.  Nation building finds practical expression in the Freedom Charter “South Africa belongs to all who live in it.’”

She continued with, “The National Development Plan clearly articulates the type of society South Africa should be by 2030. This envisions a society where opportunity is not determined by race or birth right but where all citizens know their rights and responsibilities and link everything towards a united and prosperous South Africa.”

To this end, stakeholders at the Forum were unanimous in the need to encourage South Africans to become ambassadors of our competitive strengths while working to address some of the challenges which currently characterise the South African Nation Brand.

In addition, stakeholders committed to, in their various spheres to work at positioning South Africa positively while remaining committed to implementing the National Development Plan which will guide South Africa’s journey towards social and economic equity by 2030.

In closing the Forum, Brand South Africa’s Kuseni Dlamini commended all stakeholders for their commitment to working together to address the “perception gaps” related to South Africa.  More needs to be done to position the country positively which can be achieved by working cohesively.

The Forum was attended by representatives of government, business and civil society, the three main pillars of the South African Nation Brand.

Issued by Brand South Africa