LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Poverty is one of Africa’s harshest realities
Published: 14-OCT-04
According to the Poverty and Inequality Report (PIR) South Africa, in per capita terms, is an upper-middle-income country, but most South African households experience outright poverty. In addition, the distribution of income and wealth in South Africa is among the most unequal in the world, and many households still have unsatisfactory access to clean water, energy, health care and education.
Poverty was one of the issues discussed at the Eskom African Business Leaders Forum this week at the Sandton Sun Intercontinental.
Eskom’s electrification programme has addressed energy needs at the most basic level supplying two and a half amps per household, sufficient for a few lights, a radio and more at negligible costs.
“We are an important partner in the process of electrifying the public but there is a need for integrated efforts that include water, sanitation, power, education, and productivity through training,” says Thulani Gcabashe,
chairman, Eskom Holdings Ltd.
Dr Yvonne Muthien, Group Executive, Corporate Affairs, MTN Group says, “It is the responsibility of both the public and private sectors to generate economic growth. Regardless of how evolved a political system appears it is a hollow victory if a nation cannot provide employment and feed its population.”
“Post war Africa remains the world’s poorest continent. It still accounts for only one percent of total world economic output. More than ever, sound leadership strategies, urgent and sustained action is needed to close the void. These are the best times for positive reform to take root in Africa,” says Everest Ekong, publisher, Business in Africa magazine.
“While Nepad carries the right genetic code for stemming poverty, we need a model for positive economic diplomacy to reduce hunger, homelessness, sickness, unemployment and political restlessness," Ekong adds.
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SPEAKERS
Honourable Guest Speakers:
Mr F. W. De Klerk Former President of South Africa; Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana; Mr Osafo Mafo, Minister of Finance Ghana; Prof Anyang Nyongo , Minister of Planning Kenya; Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister Minerals and Energy – SA;
Distinguished Speakers:
Reuel Khoza, Eskom Group Holdings Ltd;Thulani S. Gcabashe, chief executive , Eskom Holdings;Dr Yvonne Muthien, Group
Executive: Corporate Affairs at MTN Group Ltd; Lemmy Abedule- Regional General Manager, Honeywell Process Solution Africa; Mr. Siyabonga Gama, CEO National Ports Authority SA; Mr. Stanley Subramoney, Deputy CEO of PwC; Mr Chris Kirubi, Chairman Haco Industries, Kenya and many more...
LEADERSHIP FOR PROSPERITY
In October 2004 Eskom, MTN and Business in
Africa magazine hosted a remarkable group of African
business leaders in the public and private sectors. They
explored new challenges and opportunities confronting
Africa.
The Eskom African Business Leaders Forum addressed
leadership issues in Africa by creating a conference
platform for
proactive and practical responses to current
challenges. The forum
examined African histories of leadership and
mythologies.
The Eskom African Business Leaders Forum is Africa’s
premier event for enabling individuals and organisations to
increase personal leadership skills, productivity, profitability
and prosperity.
SPONSORS
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