Miller Matola, CEO of Brand South Africa
JOHANNESBURG, October 16 2013 – Brand South Africa today presented its Annual Report 2012/13 to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications.
The Annual Report captures the highlights of a year in which Brand South Africa inspired new ways by, amongst others, flying the flag at key events profiling the strength of the South African economy – the BRICS Summit, the Mining Indaba and the World Economic Forum events. As the country’s reputation management agency, Brand South Africa also worked with government partners and other stakeholders including business which has helped to intensify the South African voice domestically and abroad.
Speaking ahead of the presentation of the Annual Report to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, Deputy Chairperson of the Brand South Africa Board, Happy Ntshingila said, “Brand South Africa has a large mandate which can only be achieved if all citizens join hands to grow South Africa into a country that continues to inspire people and nations the world over. Our country has proven its resilience and strength politically and economically. We have fared well where other larger countries have suffered as a result of the global economic turbulence. What we need to do now is to harness this energy and spirit and make the NDP a reality – a country at work for a future that goes way beyond 2030.”
This was echoed by Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola who said, “By working together towards the same goal – the positive positioning of South Africa as an investment destination of choice – South Africa has been able to take its rightful place among the most respected players in the world economy,” while proving that our nation’s ability to “find solutions to complex situations and prevail against all odds,” is as strong as it was 20 years ago when our democracy was first attained.
“As an organisation we stand firm in our resolve to deliver on our mandate to get South Africans to buy into South Africa while profiling our country positively in international markets. This sense of national pride will be a critical driver of the National Development Plan. This cannot be legislated and must resonate in our beings as we feel a sense of pride and ownership in our citizenship of this marvellous, inspiring nation,” said Mr Matola.
Briefing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, Mr Matola meanwhile acknowledged that while Brand South Africa was awarded an unqualified audit opinion by the Auditor-General, work remains to be done in the area of the procurement of goods and services. “Systems are being developed and implemented to ensure that Brand South Africa works steadily towards a clean audit by complying with the PFMA. We are also pleased that we have not incurred any irregular expenditure in the past financial year. Most significantly, we have delivered on almost 82% of the targets we had set ourselves at the beginning of the financial year,” concluded Mr Matola.
Brand South Africa’s 2012/13 Annual Report is available at https://brandsouthafrica.com/who-we-are/annualreports/915-annual-report-2012-20130.
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness abroad. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.
Further resources from Brand South Africa
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For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Nadia Samie-Jacobs
Public Relations Domestic
Tel: +27 11 712 5007 Mobile: +27 (0)72 777 9399
Email: nadias@brandsouthafrica.com
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