Christmas acts as a punctuation mark in our lives: It gives us a sense of structure. Traditionally, it is a time for sharing and enjoying time spent with loved ones. But beneath the overtly festive overtone, this season tends to expose the missing pieces in our lives. Inevitably, we give more thought to how we and society have changed and where we fit into all of this. By Dr Sulette Ferreira
The SA Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) supported a few events held across the USA during Women’s month in August. Women’s Day is celebrated on August 9 and this year’s theme was centred around women’s socio-economic rights and empowerment. The concept of generation equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality.
SA Chamber USA recently obtained data from the United Nations which confirms the USA is the 3rd most popular destination for South African immigrants, preceded by the UK and Australia. The Department of Home Affairs and Statistics South Africa does not track data on emigration. However, the UN keeps data on migration and where South Africans have emigrated to over the last few decades.
The first of a series of investor forum discussions kicked off with a virtual event between tourism role-players in Mpumalanga and the SA Embassy in Washington, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga.
Author and philanthropist, Sir-Bongani Ka Luvalo who heads up the Cool Dads Foundation met up with Neil Diamond recently who pledged further support to this worthy cause. Cool Dads Foundation provides school shoes for children in disadvantaged communities. Anyone who wants to become involved can visit their website here.
SACCUSA Vice-President Magda Odendaal was recently interviewed as a special guest of Lorna Greyling on Distro TV channel 170 and Local Now channel 504 in the USA. The program was themed “steppingstones” to success with Magda Odendaal.
SACCUSA was recently invited by the New York Consul General to participate with South African business leaders in the city to discuss the establishment of a New York based US/South Africa Business Advisory Council. This initiative by Consul General Motumisi Tawana enjoyed support from the many South Africans working on Wall Street.
SACCUSA President Neil Diamond attended both the Springbok vs New Zealand games at Mbombela and Ellis Park Stadiums. He played an instrumental role during his tenure as Municipal Manager of Mbombela Local Municipality in the negotiation phase to secure the Mbombela game and he is seen here with Mbombela Stadium Manager Roelf Kotze.
In September, the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) is celebrating its second birthday. In humans this is the age when a child will start to kick a ball and slowly run. SACCUSA has exceeded expectations and is running at a fast pace while playing ball in the big league.
For those who left South Africa after 2015, the tragic story of the ‘Life Esidimeni’ scam is still etched in everyone’s memory. For those who already lived in the USA, the news of the brutal and inhumane deaths of 144 patients at psychiatric facilities in Gauteng, shocked the world.
The 123rd National Black Business Conference was recently held in Washington with representatives from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, amongst others, discussing bi-national trade and investment by strengthening the bridge between black business in the USA and Africa.
In an exciting and progressive move, the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) is extending its unwavering support to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) wine producers in the Western Cape.
In a momentous meeting, the President of the South African Chamber in the USA (SACCUSA), Mr Neil Diamond, joined forces with Mr Bilal Adam, President of the South African Chamber in Mauritius.