
The smooth running of last week’s local government elections once more demonstrated South Africa’s growth as a democracy and how it continues to attract the respect of the international community, President Jacob Zuma said after a meeting with the board of Brand South Africa on Tuesday.
“For us, the elections, like many events we have held before, are once again proof of how we can help market this brand called South Africa,” Zuma said after the meeting in Pretoria.
“To be a democratic country is very important because now we have people who are able to link their vote to their living conditions, and that markets SA in terms of its democracy.”
The elections also helped South Africa to boost its international marketing both politically and economically, Zuma said.
The meeting, also attended by businesspeople and Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane, discussed at length the need for business and government to work together to market the successes of the country domestically and to the world.
Established in 2002, Brand South Africa is tasked with developing and implementing proactive and coordinated marketing and communication strategies for the country.
Brand South Africa chairperson Anita Soni said South Africa’s advanced telecommunications and research infrastructure made it one of the most attractive and competent countries in the world.
“What we discussed in this meeting is that, considering the things we have, it is very important moving forward that we as South Africans become brand ambassadors for our country, because we have a lot to be proud of,” Soni said. “But it will take all of us to achieve that,” she added.
Zuma used the meeting to appoint Geoffrey Rothschild, Moss Leoka, Sindi Mabaso-Koyana and Ramasela Moloto, all from the private sector, as the new members of the Brand South Africa board.
New government representatives on the board are Presidency Director-General Cassius Lubisi, Trade and Industry Director-General Lionel October, Arts and Culture Director-General Sibusiso Xaba, and Timothy Scholtz from South African Tourism.
Source: BuaNews