Hosting top global events a Cape coup
2019 YPO EDGE and Global Leadership Conference can grow jobs, economy Skincare range creator cleans up at awards
TOURISM and job creation efforts in the Western Cape will get a welcome boost next year now that Cape Town has been chosen to host the 2019 YPO EDGE and Global Leadership Conference (GLC), which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Over four days in March, 3000 of the top chief executives from more than 80 countries will gather for the two events, set to contribute R80 million to the Cape’s economy.
The theme for the 2019 YPO EDGE is the Life of RE, drawing comparisons between the continuously evolving tech world and how chief executives, as digital consumers, can emulate the process of constant upgrade and improvement by re-skilling, re-tooling, re-booting and re-inventing themselves.
Paul Berman, host city chair for the 2019 YPO GLC EDGE, said YPO was an organisation representative of the best of the world’s rising business elite.
“We are a learning organisation dedicated to the development of leadership skills, the exchange of ideas and improvement of inter-personal skills. Both the YPO EDGE and GLC offer an ideal opportunity for business leaders around the globe to gather in person and take their leadership to the next level,” said Berman.
Cape Town will host the events for the second time, one of only three cities in the world to do so.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said it was a great honour for Cape Town to be selected again.
“Year-on-year, we have affirmed our status as the events capital of Africa. The city is creating an enabling environment for sectors like events to grow and create even more jobs for our residents. Together we are making this city even greater,” she said.
Wesgro chief executive Tim Harris said events like the YPO EDGE and Global Leadership Conference helped create economic impact and growing the province’s local knowledge economy, leaving legacies beyond the conference.
“The event serves as a prime opportunity to showcase the Cape as a business, trade, and investment and travel destination, offering a variety of unforgettable activities.
“We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe, and encourage them to make the most of the unique experiences our beautiful province has to offer,” said Harris.
Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said: “We look forward to welcoming 3000 young CEOs to Cape Town next year, learning from what they have to say, and showing them what the province has to offer from a business and a tourism perspective.” A LIMPOPO-based entrepreneur has received a major supplier award which is set to further boost her skincare range, available in over 400 Pick n Pay stores and generating employment for more than 20 people.
Portia Mngomezulu, founder of Portia M Skin Solutions, was awarded Pick n Pay’s 2018 Small Supplier of the Year award at Pick n Pay’s Kenilworth head office yesterday.
Mngomezulu was awarded for her business’ exceptional growth performance and job creation.
The annual award recognises and rewards the top performing small supplier in the country across various categories.
Last year the title was awarded to Bernard Nortjé, owner of Dessertworx, the national supplier for Pick n Pay’s dessert range.
Mishinga Seyuba Kombo, Pick n Pay’s manager for enterprise and supplier development programme, said sustained on-going support across various disciplines was crucial for a small business to succeed.
“We work closely with our small suppliers to provide them with the opportunity to put their products in front of the customer through our stores. The success of the programme is evident from seeing many of our suppliers expand across our network to service other retailers and sectors.
“This growth is not only encouraging for their business, but for the communities they serve and the jobs they are able to create, ” said Kombo.
Mngomezulu said she established her business in 2010, following the birth of her son.
She said she developed stretch marks, and her mother-in-law suggested she use marula oil to treat the scarring.
Impressed by the results, Mngomezulu wanted to share them with those closest to her and initially invested R200 in buying marula oil directly from rural women in Limpopo.
She bottled the product and began selling it as a side business, re-investing the profits in the business.
Today Mngomezulu has created a skincare range of 12 products for both men and women and is in the process of launching her baby range of five products. She employs 27 people.
Mngomezulu’s business has generated over R20 million in sales in the last two years through Pick n Pay alone.
She said she had always known what she wanted for her business and that focus enabled her to grow it into a multimillion rand operation that is expanding into Africa, with her products now available in Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana.
“The programme (Pick n Pay’s enterprise and development programme) gave me the opportunity to pitch my products to a buyer, and within a week I was told I had secured a spot on their shelves.
“This was the greatest day of my business life,” said Mngomezulu.
Her products were initially placed in 20 corporate and family stores in 2015. Today they are available in 432 stores with sales already up 61% this year.