Thursday, 22 February 2018
International Decade for People of African Descent, which commenced January 1, 2015 and ends December 31, 2024
Africa Now! September 16, 2015 Haki Madhubuti and Pan-Africanism & Communism
Africa Now! September 16, 2015
Topics and Guests: Liberation Cultural Activist Haki Madhubuti; and Pan-Africanism and Communism.
In Africa Now!'s continuing spotlight on the International Decade for People of African Descent, which commenced January 1, 2015 and ends December 31, 2024 today the show features two writers who have connected the peoples of the African World with their writings—Dr. Haki Madhubuti and Professor Hakim Adi.
Their works have highlighted the liberation struggle in the African World.
We start with a previous conversation with Dr. Haki Madhubuti and in the second part of the show Africa Now! talks to Professor Hakim Adi on Pan-Africanism and Communism.
For over 40 years Professor Haki Madhubuti has been a pivotal figure in the development of a strong Black literary tradition and a major figure of the Black Arts Movement.
He has published more than 31 books (some under his former name, Don L. Lee) and is one of the world’s best-selling authors of poetry and non-fiction. Madhubuti’s latest books are Honoring Genius: Gwendolyn Brooks: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice (2011) and By Any Means Necessary, Malcolm X: Real, Not Reinvented (co-edited with Herb Boyd, Ron Daniels and Maulana Karenga, 2012).
In 1967 he founded Third World Press, the oldest independent publisher of Black thought and literature in the country. For more than forty-five years, Third World Press has published a rich tradition of African American writing by authors such as poet and publisher, Dudley Randall; Illinois Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Gwendolyn Brooks; poets Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Mari Evans, Margaret Walker, and more.
The connection of Pan-Africanism and Communism is the subject matter in the book Pan-Africanism and Communism: The Communist International, Africa and The Diaspora, 1919-1939 by Hakim Adi.
Sage Journals states that “Hakim Adi in Pan-Africanism and Communism sets out to demonstrate historically the ways in which Pan-Africanism and Communism were not such completely separate currents in the inter-war period…but rather became briefly, to some extent, fused in the struggle for black and colonial liberation. …Adi’s Pan-Africanism and Communism stands as a valuable and pioneering institutional history of the International Trade Union Committee of Negro Workers (ITUCNW), which he rightly notes was ‘a communist organization with a Pan-Africanist orientation.’”
Dr. Hakim Adi is currently Reader in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at the University of Chichester in England. Professor Adi has written extensively of Pan-Africanism and the modern political history of the African Diaspora. He is the author of West Africans in Britain 1900-1960: Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and Communism (London, 1998); joint author with M. Sherwood of The 1945 Manchester Pan-African Congress Revisited (London, 1995) and Pan-African History: Political Figures from Africa and the Diaspora since 1787 (London, 2003).
Click here to listen to Africa Now! of September 16, 2015--Liberation Cultural Activist Haki Madhubuti; and Pan-Africanism and Communism.
Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into Africa Now! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).
Topics and Guests: Liberation Cultural Activist Haki Madhubuti; and Pan-Africanism and Communism.In Africa Now!'s continuing spotlight on the International Decade for People of African Descent, which commenced January 1, 2015 and ends December 31, 2024 today the show features two writers who have connected the peoples of the African World with their writings—Dr. Haki Madhubuti and Professor Hakim Adi.
Their works have highlighted the liberation struggle in the African World.
We start with a previous conversation with Dr. Haki Madhubuti and in the second part of the show Africa Now! talks to Professor Hakim Adi on Pan-Africanism and Communism.
For over 40 years Professor Haki Madhubuti has been a pivotal figure in the development of a strong Black literary tradition and a major figure of the Black Arts Movement.
He has published more than 31 books (some under his former name, Don L. Lee) and is one of the world’s best-selling authors of poetry and non-fiction. Madhubuti’s latest books are Honoring Genius: Gwendolyn Brooks: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice (2011) and By Any Means Necessary, Malcolm X: Real, Not Reinvented (co-edited with Herb Boyd, Ron Daniels and Maulana Karenga, 2012).
In 1967 he founded Third World Press, the oldest independent publisher of Black thought and literature in the country. For more than forty-five years, Third World Press has published a rich tradition of African American writing by authors such as poet and publisher, Dudley Randall; Illinois Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Gwendolyn Brooks; poets Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Mari Evans, Margaret Walker, and more.
The connection of Pan-Africanism and Communism is the subject matter in the book Pan-Africanism and Communism: The Communist International, Africa and The Diaspora, 1919-1939 by Hakim Adi.
Sage Journals states that “Hakim Adi in Pan-Africanism and Communism sets out to demonstrate historically the ways in which Pan-Africanism and Communism were not such completely separate currents in the inter-war period…but rather became briefly, to some extent, fused in the struggle for black and colonial liberation. …Adi’s Pan-Africanism and Communism stands as a valuable and pioneering institutional history of the International Trade Union Committee of Negro Workers (ITUCNW), which he rightly notes was ‘a communist organization with a Pan-Africanist orientation.’”
Dr. Hakim Adi is currently Reader in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at the University of Chichester in England. Professor Adi has written extensively of Pan-Africanism and the modern political history of the African Diaspora. He is the author of West Africans in Britain 1900-1960: Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and Communism (London, 1998); joint author with M. Sherwood of The 1945 Manchester Pan-African Congress Revisited (London, 1995) and Pan-African History: Political Figures from Africa and the Diaspora since 1787 (London, 2003).
Click here to listen to Africa Now! of September 16, 2015--Liberation Cultural Activist Haki Madhubuti; and Pan-Africanism and Communism.
Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into Africa Now! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).
Friday, 16 February 2018
Can Vision 2022 Turn South African Football Around?
- UPDATED
- tweet
BAFANA
BAFANA have missed out on the participation of CHAN 2018 and the
upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia to kick start on June 14 – July
15.
It is in that spirit that a proper and broad debate of Vision 2022 must be entertained.
According to the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), "Vision 2022 is a fundamental rebuilding of the structures of SAFA at all levels to create the conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams.
We have set our sights on a long-term development plan to achieve the goal of always being in the top 3 of the African rankings, and in the top 20 of the World rankings.
10% of the South African population must play football. Therefore, we need to redouble our efforts to: Launch a vibrant schools football programme; and Strengthen women’s football significantly."
Since the days of Clive Barker, by far the best coach Bafana Bafana has ever had. Things have rather turned sour.
Further, the 1996 AFCON winning team, consisted of very experienced players who had achieved a lot in their careers prior to presenting the national team.
Hence, it was easier for Barker to motivate the team; this was on top of Barker's tactical and technical prowess.
On the other hand, Barker's track record as a top coach and the players were automatically and naturally inspired.
And remembering that also in 1996, Orlando Pirates became Africa's most powerful club after securing the Africa Super Cup, and becoming the first southern African club in 1995 to win the prestigious African Champions Cup, at club level.
Not forgetting other Bafana Bafana achievements, like the silver medal in AFCON 1998, a bronze in 2000 and the African/Asian Cup glory in 1999.
Since 1994 - 1996, Barker won all the Four Nations tournaments we participated in.
After Barker was given the reigns. He quickly turned Bafana Bafana's fortunes around. Barker establishing the team as an African powerhouse, easily topping their 1996 Nations Cup qualifying group in 1995.
Then South Africa were awarded the rights to host the 1996 tournament after initial hosts Kenya withdraw. Bafana Bafana went on to win the tournament on home soil, beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
In 1997 Barker ensured that South Africa would make their debut World Cup appearance for the World Cup 1998 which was hosted and won by France.
Barker was sacked in December 1997. And he missed out on an opportunity to defend his 1996 Nation Cup glory and also missed out on leading the team at its first World Cup in France.
But Barker's achievements, had confirmed that South Africa had arrived, not only on the African stage, but internationally as well.
Also in 1996, Bafana Bafana, had been honoured by FIFA, with its FIFA Best Mover of the Year Award, signaling that South Africa was the best footballing country in the world in 1996.
During Barker's reign of Bafana Bafana, South Africa was ranked NO 16 in the World and NO 1 in Africa. Today, they are NO 81 in the World and 18 in Africa.
Most soccer commentary has indicated that after Barker's exit as the South African senior football men's national team, the standard of Bafana Bafana went down from the days of Clive Barker at the helm.
Turning back to the current era, a lot has changed.
In fact, South Africa is not longer the most feared football nation in Africa as it once was.
These days, however, soccer commentators and experts regularly and correctly predict that South Africa would be knocked out in the groups stages of a tournament. That is if they manage to qualify for that tournament in the first place.
And they are spot on, since the departure of Barker as Bafana Bafana coach, South Africa has only qualified once, for the 2002 World Cup under, Carlos Queiroz, who by the way was sacked before the start of the 2002 World Cup.
In 2010, South Africa qualified for the World Cup as hosts. And again they were knocked out in the groups stages just like their two previous World Cup appearances.
Unlike many other former Bafana Bafana coaches with achievements to show; and who have had more than one spell with Bafana Bafana, Barker is the only coach not to be given another chance. The question is WHY?
Just days after Bafana Bafana's early exit in the 1997 Confederations Cup, a caller in the Radio Metro, now METROFM, Sports Show alleged that some of the players were asked by certain SAFA officials to underperformed so that Barker could be discredited and fired.
And a big question that must be on top of the minds of South African soccer 'gods', is what is to be done to turn things around and make Bafana Bafana Africa's most powerful footballing nation again?
The South African Football Association (SAFA), responsible for Bafana Bafana, now needs to find the same magic, and at least innovation shown by the then SAFA boss, the late great Solomon 'Sticks' Morewa, when Bafana Bafana became African champions.
A first by a southern African country. Zambia subsequently became the second southern African nation to lift the Nations Cup when they won the AFCON 2012.
Morewa was controversially sacked after suspicious findings during the Government appointed Pickard Commission. Morewa sacking would later prove too costly for Bafana Bafana and South African football at large.
To answer the question of making Bafana Bafana the best again:
# SAFA must understand that it beats the purpose of having a senior national men's football team, when it boasts about the progress of the junior national teams, when Bafana Bafana are not progressing.
# SAFA has to see that this unbalanced performance scale would ultimately demotivate juniors; and, up and coming players from achieving their level best if they know that Bafana Bafana are not progressing but digressing from the 1996 AFCON glory.
# A more professional approach in appointing coaches, should be that all coaches appointed for the country's national teams including women national teams, must be coaches that have won a FIFA/CAF recognized tournaments and/or awards.
In this case, Barker should make a return to the national team and be given the right to select his assistance coaches and technical team of his choice.
# The senior coach must be encouraged to appoint a professional technical staff, consisting of at least 15 qualified soccer experts with noteworthy achievements in the game either as player and/or coaches, inline with the international benchmarks.
These experts should also consist of former Bafana Bafana coaches, like Jomo Sono, Trott Moloto, Shakes Mashaba among others.
# Only the best performing players must do duty for the national team at all times, irrespective of how old a player maybe.
In other words, Bafana Bafana must never be a platform for developing players. Bafana Bafana must always be the ultimate benchmark for any South African footballer to aspire to play for.
Only the best performing players who are capable of producing a winning result must be allowed to play.
# Most importantly though, is that SAFA must in the process of re-igniting the most loved sport in South Africa, broaden and widely sell the programme, VISION 2022, to all corners of the country.
This would have to be backed by a mass national participation football educational and training programme at all levels of the game and complemented by multiple football tournaments nationally to give all players enough opportunity to develop and reach their full potential.
This must be a process that will get all football stakeholders and lovers, be it spectators, administrators, players, coaches, sponsors etc, to come back into the game on a fulltime basis.
And in the process take the beautiful game to the highest of levels.
This must be done for the sake of football and the nation.
UPDATED
It is in that spirit that a proper and broad debate of Vision 2022 must be entertained.
According to the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), "Vision 2022 is a fundamental rebuilding of the structures of SAFA at all levels to create the conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams.
We have set our sights on a long-term development plan to achieve the goal of always being in the top 3 of the African rankings, and in the top 20 of the World rankings.
10% of the South African population must play football. Therefore, we need to redouble our efforts to: Launch a vibrant schools football programme; and Strengthen women’s football significantly."
Since the days of Clive Barker, by far the best coach Bafana Bafana has ever had. Things have rather turned sour.
Further, the 1996 AFCON winning team, consisted of very experienced players who had achieved a lot in their careers prior to presenting the national team.
Hence, it was easier for Barker to motivate the team; this was on top of Barker's tactical and technical prowess.
On the other hand, Barker's track record as a top coach and the players were automatically and naturally inspired.
And remembering that also in 1996, Orlando Pirates became Africa's most powerful club after securing the Africa Super Cup, and becoming the first southern African club in 1995 to win the prestigious African Champions Cup, at club level.
Not forgetting other Bafana Bafana achievements, like the silver medal in AFCON 1998, a bronze in 2000 and the African/Asian Cup glory in 1999.
Since 1994 - 1996, Barker won all the Four Nations tournaments we participated in.
After Barker was given the reigns. He quickly turned Bafana Bafana's fortunes around. Barker establishing the team as an African powerhouse, easily topping their 1996 Nations Cup qualifying group in 1995.
Then South Africa were awarded the rights to host the 1996 tournament after initial hosts Kenya withdraw. Bafana Bafana went on to win the tournament on home soil, beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
In 1997 Barker ensured that South Africa would make their debut World Cup appearance for the World Cup 1998 which was hosted and won by France.
Barker was sacked in December 1997. And he missed out on an opportunity to defend his 1996 Nation Cup glory and also missed out on leading the team at its first World Cup in France.
But Barker's achievements, had confirmed that South Africa had arrived, not only on the African stage, but internationally as well.
Also in 1996, Bafana Bafana, had been honoured by FIFA, with its FIFA Best Mover of the Year Award, signaling that South Africa was the best footballing country in the world in 1996.
During Barker's reign of Bafana Bafana, South Africa was ranked NO 16 in the World and NO 1 in Africa. Today, they are NO 81 in the World and 18 in Africa.
Most soccer commentary has indicated that after Barker's exit as the South African senior football men's national team, the standard of Bafana Bafana went down from the days of Clive Barker at the helm.
Turning back to the current era, a lot has changed.
In fact, South Africa is not longer the most feared football nation in Africa as it once was.
These days, however, soccer commentators and experts regularly and correctly predict that South Africa would be knocked out in the groups stages of a tournament. That is if they manage to qualify for that tournament in the first place.
And they are spot on, since the departure of Barker as Bafana Bafana coach, South Africa has only qualified once, for the 2002 World Cup under, Carlos Queiroz, who by the way was sacked before the start of the 2002 World Cup.
In 2010, South Africa qualified for the World Cup as hosts. And again they were knocked out in the groups stages just like their two previous World Cup appearances.
Unlike many other former Bafana Bafana coaches with achievements to show; and who have had more than one spell with Bafana Bafana, Barker is the only coach not to be given another chance. The question is WHY?
Just days after Bafana Bafana's early exit in the 1997 Confederations Cup, a caller in the Radio Metro, now METROFM, Sports Show alleged that some of the players were asked by certain SAFA officials to underperformed so that Barker could be discredited and fired.
And a big question that must be on top of the minds of South African soccer 'gods', is what is to be done to turn things around and make Bafana Bafana Africa's most powerful footballing nation again?
The South African Football Association (SAFA), responsible for Bafana Bafana, now needs to find the same magic, and at least innovation shown by the then SAFA boss, the late great Solomon 'Sticks' Morewa, when Bafana Bafana became African champions.
A first by a southern African country. Zambia subsequently became the second southern African nation to lift the Nations Cup when they won the AFCON 2012.
Morewa was controversially sacked after suspicious findings during the Government appointed Pickard Commission. Morewa sacking would later prove too costly for Bafana Bafana and South African football at large.
To answer the question of making Bafana Bafana the best again:
# SAFA must understand that it beats the purpose of having a senior national men's football team, when it boasts about the progress of the junior national teams, when Bafana Bafana are not progressing.
# SAFA has to see that this unbalanced performance scale would ultimately demotivate juniors; and, up and coming players from achieving their level best if they know that Bafana Bafana are not progressing but digressing from the 1996 AFCON glory.
# A more professional approach in appointing coaches, should be that all coaches appointed for the country's national teams including women national teams, must be coaches that have won a FIFA/CAF recognized tournaments and/or awards.
In this case, Barker should make a return to the national team and be given the right to select his assistance coaches and technical team of his choice.
# The senior coach must be encouraged to appoint a professional technical staff, consisting of at least 15 qualified soccer experts with noteworthy achievements in the game either as player and/or coaches, inline with the international benchmarks.
These experts should also consist of former Bafana Bafana coaches, like Jomo Sono, Trott Moloto, Shakes Mashaba among others.
# Only the best performing players must do duty for the national team at all times, irrespective of how old a player maybe.
In other words, Bafana Bafana must never be a platform for developing players. Bafana Bafana must always be the ultimate benchmark for any South African footballer to aspire to play for.
Only the best performing players who are capable of producing a winning result must be allowed to play.
# Most importantly though, is that SAFA must in the process of re-igniting the most loved sport in South Africa, broaden and widely sell the programme, VISION 2022, to all corners of the country.
This would have to be backed by a mass national participation football educational and training programme at all levels of the game and complemented by multiple football tournaments nationally to give all players enough opportunity to develop and reach their full potential.
This must be a process that will get all football stakeholders and lovers, be it spectators, administrators, players, coaches, sponsors etc, to come back into the game on a fulltime basis.
And in the process take the beautiful game to the highest of levels.
This must be done for the sake of football and the nation.
UPDATED
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Questions & Answers With Toyin Umesiri, Convener and Host of The Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018
Toyin Umesiri
The Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018 is the inaugural event that convenes global business leaders, innovators and change agents driving sustainable agriculture, global trade, digital acceleration, and women empowerment on the continent of Africa. It aims to create trade linkages by bringing together business leaders and their supporting service providers from U.S. and African countries to engage in actionable dialog that will accelerate economic growth for both regions. THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA, spoke to Toyin Umesiri the convener and host of this event. Toyin is the Founder & CEO of Nazaru LLC, a U.S. based company that is focused on increasing U.S. and Africa trade.
1. What is the ‘Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018’ event all about?
We know that African countries are racing to strengthen economic ties with various regions around the world to drive increased economic growth, job creation and diversification of investment. For the past 20 years the primary vehicle for U.S. engagement in Africa has leaned heavily towards foreign aid and I believe now is the time for U.S. businesses to play a more significant role to secure mutually beneficial business partnerships.
Trade with Africa Business Summit is focused on bringing this much needed conversation on Africa to “corporate America”. With the population rise on the continent of Africa and the projected economic growth, U.S. businesses should lean in further to participate commercially in the economic growth that is occurring. Africa is home to over 1 billion people with a strong youth population and a rapidly growing productive workforce. Africa can no longer be ignored or seen as a region of only war, famine and disease and by 2050 it is projected that Africa would have doubled its population. For those that are actively involved already this is a not a secret however there is a significant portion of corporate America that is heavily misinformed about Africa. The Trade with Africa Business Summit is an active step to engage U.S. and African businesses in actionable dialog to accelerate economic growth for both regions.
The inaugural event taking place on May 10th and 11th of 2018 will be held in Bentonville, Arkansas. Bentonville is the home town of the largest retailer: Walmart, and is a thriving trade and economic hub and hence the perfect location to establish new trade opportunities.
2. Who should attend and what are the benefits?
The benefits of attending are multifold; For Bentonville and U.S. based businesses it serves to showcase the vast opportunities in Africa, create linkages where they could either export to or source goods from under favorable trade policies, and allow for an opportunity to address with high-level officials critical concerns or impediments to doing business. For African Exporters, business leaders and Governments leaders, it would offer an opportunity to promote their country, help expand the offerings under AGOA, create jobs, and increase investment. For African businesses, it will also get them within proximity to the largest importers, help prepare them to pitch their goods, and open a pipeline that can then be continued through sustainable business partnerships. This event also positions the state of Arkansas as a favorable destination for African business & political leaders looking to create partnerships with the U.S.
3. What is the exact relation between 'Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018 and Nazaru LLC?
The Trade with Africa Business Summit is a production of Nazaru LLC. The event is being executed in partnership and support of key organization like the World Trade Center and USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. We know that creating productive dialogue starts by highlighting the strengths that Africa has to offer U.S. investors looking to partner on the continent. There is currently opportunities yet untapped particularly in the small-medium business communities in Africa as well as the U.S. We are creating an all-encompassing one-stop shop where SMEs Large Scale organizations across Africa and the United States can find answers and solutions to trade.
4. As the CEO of Nazaru, what are the most notable experiences you have encountered in relation to hosting Trade with Africa Business Summit?
When it comes to U.S. trade with Africa, creating awareness is key. Unfortunately many still do not realize that there is a functioning side to Africa and there is a growing segment that is on the rise to claim global significance in years to come. If U.S. media will dedicate resources to highlighting these stories it will significantly benefit both regions. Many do not know what success looks like.
In 2000, the United States established the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to support U.S. trade with Africa. Although some level of success has been accomplished, U.S. still engages at less than 2% of total global trade with Sub-Saharan Africa. On the U.S. side there are several constraints including lack of awareness, supporting business data, and misconception and information gap. On the African side there is lack of information related to available business partnerships and opportunities for African businesses as well as education on ways to secure investments needed to build the level of capacity required to meet U.S. standards.
We are creating a platforms that allows business executives to hear from other leaders that are actively investing on what is working and to also become aware of what the investment opportunities are. With focus on positively impacting Agriculture, Technology, Education and Health sectors we also help address questions like “What does Africa need?” “What are the technical expertise required to FastTrack economic growth? “And where are the high growth areas?” We want people to know how to engage strategically and also how to view the region within reward-risk framework.
5. Are there any obstacles standing in the way of both Nazaru and the Trade with Africa Business Summit achieving their aims and objectives?
We have the support of major stakeholders and we are now focused on getting the word out as we want more people to get involved
6 Do you have any additional information you would like to share with the public?
In partnership with the tourism board of the city of Bentonville we are looking forward to hosting U.S. and African business leaders, Government agencies & service providers, exporters, commodity Buyers, non for profit organizations with interests in the region, “Africans in diaspora” and friends of Africa looking to reconnect with the region.
Thursday, 18 January 2018
US-Africa creating a brighter future
KHULUMA AFRIKA
That much can be attested to as the two partners now embark with a new initiative that is geared at improving and promoting trade between Africa and the US; and hopes for a brighter future are splashed all over it.
This comes after revelations on in early December 2017, that the ‘Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018’, which is an inaugural event, will convene global business leaders, change agents and innovators driving digital acceleration, sustainable agriculture, global trade and women empowerment on the continent of Africa.
The aim of the event is to ignite a fresh dialog that educates and showcases effective strategies for increasing trade between the U.S. and African countries.
This event also positions the state of Arkansas as a favorable destination for African business & political leaders looking to create partnerships with the U.S.
In 2000, the United States established the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to support U.S trade with Africa.
Although some level of success has been accomplished, U.S. still engages at less than
2% of total global trade with Sub-Saharan Africa.
On the U.S side there are several constraints including lack of awareness, supporting business data, and misconception and information gap.
On the African side there is lack of information related to available business partnerships and opportunities for African businesses as well as education on ways to secure investments needed to build the level of capacity required to meet U.S standards.
The Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018 provides an effective platform to strengthen linkages by bringing together African and U.S business and political leaders and their supporting service providers.
Bentonville, Arkansas is the home of Walmart, the world’s leading retailer, and is a thriving trade and economic hub and hence the perfect location to establish new trade opportunities.
According to the convener of this event, Toyin Umesiri, CEO Nazaru LLC “The timing is right for U.S businesses to develop an effective strategy towards Africa. By 2050 Africa is projected to have a quarter of the world’s population and currently has some of the fastest growing economies with GDP growth rateof 5% or more.”
Confirmed speakers include Donnie Smith, Former CEO, Tyson Foods; Denise Thomas, Director of Africa Trade Relations, World Trade Center; Scott Ford, CEO Westrock Coffee; Dale Dawson, Founder Bridge to Rwanda; Salim Amin, Chairman Camerapix Kenya; Finn Holm-Olsen, Trade Promotion & AGOA, USAID East Africa Trade Hub; Chris Folayan, CEO Mall for Africa.
Cost to attend the 2 day event is $499 for U.S. based attendees and $750 for international delegates. For more details about this event visit bit.ly/TWA2018 or www.tradewithafricabusinesssummit.com.
South African Football Association (SAFA): VISION 2022
Vision 2022
The goals of the new SAFA leadership have been defined and mapped out in a plan called Vision 2022
Vision 2022 is a fundamental rebuilding of the structures of SAFA at all levels to create the conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams.
We have set our sights on a long-term development plan to achieve the goal of always being in the top 3 of the African rankings, and in the top 20 of the World rankings.
10% of the South African population must play football. Therefore, we need to redouble our efforts to:
Vision 2022 is a fundamental rebuilding of the structures of SAFA at all levels to create the conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams.
We have set our sights on a long-term development plan to achieve the goal of always being in the top 3 of the African rankings, and in the top 20 of the World rankings.
10% of the South African population must play football. Therefore, we need to redouble our efforts to:
- Launch a vibrant schools football programme;
- Strengthen women’s football significantly.
Vision 2022 in a Nutshell
Technical Performance
- National Football Philosophy
- Coach Education and Deployment System
- Talent ID and Development
- Competitions Framework
- Infrastructure and Administration (Club Licensing)
- Technology
- Sport Science and Medicine
- Establish grassroots football programmes to increase the fun element in the sport
- Establish a strong school sport program
- Establishment of provincial, regional, local high performance centers
- Aspirational National Academy (SoE)
- Become the center of Elite Football Development for the African continent
- Become No. 1 in Africa at all age group levels
- Qualify for FIFA and continental competitions at all levels
Financial Stability
Commercial Viability
Sound Governance
World-Class Administration
Major Player in World Football
Develop and Maintain a Positive Image
Monday, 15 January 2018
Africa's development can do with the family business model
NEWS24
07 July 2017, 08:57
By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa
It
goes without saying that the social ills facing many families,
communities and nations need more creative solutions if there's any hope
of bettering Africa and the world.
The family business model has the great potential of being the most viable business venture that the ordinary folk on the street is likely to succeed in.
With high rates of unemployment facing many nations across the globe. The prospects of many people finding job security today including academic graduates; and the masses in particular, are zero to none.
Even the option of investing in a career in the corporate world and in other sectors has been proven many a times, to be an opportunity that will be enjoyed by a privileged few.
Coke, the global beverage giant, for an example started out as a family business. And look at where it is to day.
It is in the most famous and best brands of all time.
And other popular brands currently doing business include the likes of Phillips 66, Richemont, Foxconn, Nike, Volkswagen, Samsung Electronics, Facebook, Walmart, Novartis and Roche.
The world of work has enormously changed to what is was say 30 years ago.
However, not all is lost. With the advent of the Internet the world has become smaller. It has become easier today to run businesses online and offline.
Other people first run a business online. The they start it offline as well. And other they do the opposite and start it offline, then go online.
And on top of that, the E-commerce space, the digital economy and then you have one hell of an era. The knowledge economy has revolutionized our world.
Many can be made 24/7.
The family business model has the great potential of being the most viable business venture that the ordinary folk on the street is likely to succeed in.
With high rates of unemployment facing many nations across the globe. The prospects of many people finding job security today including academic graduates; and the masses in particular, are zero to none.
Even the option of investing in a career in the corporate world and in other sectors has been proven many a times, to be an opportunity that will be enjoyed by a privileged few.
Coke, the global beverage giant, for an example started out as a family business. And look at where it is to day.
It is in the most famous and best brands of all time.
And other popular brands currently doing business include the likes of Phillips 66, Richemont, Foxconn, Nike, Volkswagen, Samsung Electronics, Facebook, Walmart, Novartis and Roche.
The world of work has enormously changed to what is was say 30 years ago.
However, not all is lost. With the advent of the Internet the world has become smaller. It has become easier today to run businesses online and offline.
Other people first run a business online. The they start it offline as well. And other they do the opposite and start it offline, then go online.
And on top of that, the E-commerce space, the digital economy and then you have one hell of an era. The knowledge economy has revolutionized our world.
Many can be made 24/7.
But
for some reasons. Many people have let this opportunities to change
their current financial struggles continue. Their goals and dreams go to
waste without giving themselves a chance a better life.
Competitions for jobs which involves recruitment agencies, overseas cheap labour, automation to name but a few factors hindering many people's changes of finding decent employment.
It is based on those hindering factors that the Family Business model come into play.
The Family Business venture is clearly a game changer for many in Africa and elsewhere.
The business is modeled on various fronts. It is mostly a business that involves people possibly love, care and who want the best for each other. That is what family should be and must be. They are family after all.
Of course this is not always the case. But again, the same can be said about the corporate world and other sectors.
The family unit, this is what everyone should and must strive for. To rebuild the family unit for the development of out communities, city, countries, regions, continents and the world at large.
Business
statistics around the the world confirm that out of every 10 companies
that exist, only one will succeed in a period of less that 10 years.
Some companies close down within three years and others follow suit soon
after that.
Many reasons are given for the failures of these companies, ranging from poor branding & marketing; low quality of the products and services; poor cash flow management, no and lack of proper bookkeeping, lack of quality well trained and so on and so forth.
Many reasons are given for the failures of these companies, ranging from poor branding & marketing; low quality of the products and services; poor cash flow management, no and lack of proper bookkeeping, lack of quality well trained and so on and so forth.
Be that as it may, the problem of joblessness remains a biting one for many governments and countries.
And jobs can not be created on scale demanded by the unemployment rates.
Social grants become some government's weapon in dealing with unemployment. Bu this too, is proving to be not the solution as the masses wreck havoc in many poorly managed countries in Africa and many developing countries, due to poverty.
And jobs can not be created on scale demanded by the unemployment rates.
Social grants become some government's weapon in dealing with unemployment. Bu this too, is proving to be not the solution as the masses wreck havoc in many poorly managed countries in Africa and many developing countries, due to poverty.
It
is on that note the the Family Business model must be used as an
alternative. The model involves people who are emotionally attached to
each other. Many times they biologically connected. It involves people
who live with one another and share spaces, resources and experiences.
The
family business model, provides dysfunctional and even broken families
an opportunity at fixing their families. It allows people to come
together and help each other out to achieve their yet unreached goals
and dreams.
This is a model that gives family members another chance at prosperity. It is a business that gives family members a new sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
This is a model that gives family members another chance at prosperity. It is a business that gives family members a new sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
Everyday
becomes an opportunity to build the Family Business and to create a
stable family fabric based on sound values, principles and ideals.
With different set of skills, resources and networks, family members have an opportunity to create corporations that can severely uplift the family and can also create opportunities for other people outside the family, including job creation.
The model offers families the opportunity to create a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in their communities and other areas. Part of the model involves servicing the community in various ways.
With different set of skills, resources and networks, family members have an opportunity to create corporations that can severely uplift the family and can also create opportunities for other people outside the family, including job creation.
The model offers families the opportunity to create a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in their communities and other areas. Part of the model involves servicing the community in various ways.
It
could be cleaning the streets and that's promoting environmental
awareness. It could be by adopting a school and assisting that school in
finding whatever it needs to be a world class learning institution.
The great thing about the Family Business model is that it can easily and manageable be based on various ventures including selling different products and providing a wide variety of services.
The great thing about the Family Business model is that it can easily and manageable be based on various ventures including selling different products and providing a wide variety of services.
Some
family members may be involved in the venture on a part-time basis,
while others can be involved on full-time basis. People must be given
the freedom to choose.
Some members may have jobs and/or be involved in other activities that keep them away from the Family Business a lot of the time. But they may have a genuine desire for the venture to prosper.
At times they may even be the most sincere, committed, and even the biggest contribution to the venture even though they are involved elsewhere. A Family Business Strategic Plan with clear set out vision, mission, goals and objectives of the venture with time-frames will arrest any complications that negatively affect the Family Business.
Some members may have jobs and/or be involved in other activities that keep them away from the Family Business a lot of the time. But they may have a genuine desire for the venture to prosper.
At times they may even be the most sincere, committed, and even the biggest contribution to the venture even though they are involved elsewhere. A Family Business Strategic Plan with clear set out vision, mission, goals and objectives of the venture with time-frames will arrest any complications that negatively affect the Family Business.
Their
involvement elsewhere needs to be seen as an asset as they could be
marketing the venture and acquiring skills, knowledge and resources to
plough back into the Family Business.
Of out-most importance, is the nature of the Family venture. Who should do what? When? How/ Why? Or the guidelines of the venture.
This is one area that needs many compromises from all family members. As people have different goals, dreams, ideas, wants and don't wants, for the Family Business venture to succeed, family members must be considerate on what other members of the family aspire for.
Of out-most importance, is the nature of the Family venture. Who should do what? When? How/ Why? Or the guidelines of the venture.
This is one area that needs many compromises from all family members. As people have different goals, dreams, ideas, wants and don't wants, for the Family Business venture to succeed, family members must be considerate on what other members of the family aspire for.
In
other words, the venture can not be based on forcing things on people.
It can not be oppressive on anyone. If people want to pull out of the
business they must be allowed to do so with out any ill feelings towards
them.
People must have an opportunity to express their views and call for help and if and when the need arises.
People must have an opportunity to express their views and call for help and if and when the need arises.
A system of rules and regulation is highly is a must to allow order and direction.
It is highly non-negotiable that all family members must understand and accept the rules and regulations of the venture, as without the rules and regulations, unnecessary crises and fights are likely to occur and threaten the survival and success of the family enterprise.
It is highly non-negotiable that all family members must understand and accept the rules and regulations of the venture, as without the rules and regulations, unnecessary crises and fights are likely to occur and threaten the survival and success of the family enterprise.
The
family members need to do a thorough market research on what is the
best business or businesses which get match the skills, education and
resources they possess.
Closer to home in the example of Kaizer Chiefs, which is another successful family business.
Closer to home in the example of Kaizer Chiefs, which is another successful family business.
Founded
in Soweto, South West of Johannesburg, on the 7th January 1970 by
Kaizer Motaung and a group of fellow soccer lovers, the club is now a
family business owned by the Motaungs.
With
a revenue of $25 mil. – $50 milllion, Kaizer Chiefs employs 100-250
people. The Club falls under the Industry of Sports Teams & Leagues,
Hospitality.
As
a special part of the Kaizer Chiefs family, being a card carrying
member of the Amakhosi Supporters Club means you get to enjoy a whole
host of incredible benefits from insurance, retail among others.
With
Hollard Insurance, the Clubs Insurance products include the Kaizer
Chiefs Funeral Plan and Kaizer Chiefs Hospital Cash Back Plan which
offer the opportunity to rest assured that a family is adequately
covered in time of need.
In
February 2005 it was announced that Motaung would join the board of
Primedia Limited as a non-executive director. Primedia is South Africa’s
largest private media holding company and owns 40% of Kaizer Chiefs.
Through good business acumen Kaizer Chiefs bought back the 40% stake
from Primedia in 2012.
Matuang
has also served as a director on the boards of many other companies
such as Royal Beechnut, Simba, New Age Beverages and Get Ahead.
Other
most successful ideas on what kind of a Family Business people can do
would include buying and selling, livestock farming, agribusiness
farming, real estate property, vehicles or big equipment, events &
party equipment, multi-level marketing.
The family businesses can be passed to the new generation of the family after much training and experience.
Education
and training in business course and seminars is a must do for success.
It must be ongoing with reading of business books and other material.With on-going communication, support for each other, mentoring and coaching the sky is the limit in the Family Business world.
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