Luxury, by its very nature, is often associated with a state of excess and extravagant living and compared to its furthest extreme: poverty. With many in South Africa being unemployed and living below the poverty line, the divide between those with purchasing power to buy their daily milk is strikingly distant from those who can afford an occasional Louis Vuitton purse. 6 Sep 2012 Read more >>

The 2011 Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report estimates that there are 71,000 USD millionaires in South Africa and this number may rise over the next five years to almost 250,000. These figures, coupled with estimated growth rates for Sub-Saharan Africa outstripping most developed markets, provide hope for those servicing the new affluent in South Africa that the wealth management industry is set for growth. Banks and investment managers in South Africa are beefing up their teams both to tap into these new pools of wealth and in order to adapt to the needs of a more globalized High Net Worth (HNW) client. 5 Sep 2012 Read more >>

Counter to what one might expect from the tightened belts of a global recession, the luxury industry was not brought to its knees but, unlike the high street, appears to have gone from strength to strength. Although a wary investor could question the sustainability of the luxury sector's recent boom against the stark contrast of unemployment figures, to date the numbers seem to show continued use of discretionary spending on luxury items such as handbags, jewellery and fine wines. The 2012 figures indicate that there is hope that double-digit growth will be sustained as LVMH recently announced a 25% increase in profits in the first quarter of this year to 6.6 billion Euros. In 2011, Prada's profit growth was 74% in September and Mulberry, the luxury fashion brand, reported a 358% jump in pre-tax profit to £23.3m. PPR, the multinational French retail and luxury group which owns the Gucci and Yves St Laurent brands, continues to expand - most recently adding the Italian tailor Brioni to its stable. 4 Sep 2012 Read more >>

It is a struggle to reconcile the dichotomy of deep social concerns for our African continent, rife with poverty, and the light-hearted revelry and opulence associated with the luxury sector. This is particularly true as the global financial crisis has not yet loosened its grip, currency volatility remains erratic and unemployment figures remain high - these are uncertain and difficult times. 3 Sep 2012 Read more >>

Fashion heavyweights, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and internationally renowned fashion authority, Suzy Menkes, believe African fashion and luxury brands have a major role to play in elevating the continent globally. Moloi-Motsepe and Menkes both spoke at a briefing entitled 'The promise of Africa on the International Stage' supported by wealth manager Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) in Johannesburg on July 16. 31 Aug 2012 Read more >>

The often complex, enigmatic and elusive world of South Africa's wealthy will be examined at a two-day conference in Sandton in March. Among the leaders from the wealth and management space who will address the first South African Luxury Association (SALA) Wealth Summit, is Daniël Kriel, Chief Executive of Sanlam Private Investments - a key event sponsor. The high profile speaker line-up includes FNB CEO Michael Jordaan and Samuel Seeff of Seeff Properties. 24 Feb 2012 Read more >>

Samuel Seeff, Chairman of Seeff to speak at the SALA Wealth Summit on "Wealth in Assets: High net worth areas by purchase and rental dynamics" 14 Feb 2012 Read more >>

The Southern Africa Luxury Association will host the SALA Wealth Summit at the Sandton Sun, Johannesburg, on 7-8 March 2012. This innovative leadership summit is designed for heads of luxury businesses and wealth management and will explore both the state of wealth in the South African market and identify the obstacles and the opportunities for growth. 9 Feb 2012 Read more >>

The Southern Africa Luxury Association (SALA) is pleased to announce a sponsorship agreement with Sanlam Private Investments. 14 Mar 2011 Read more >>

The side streets of the verdant Vineyard Hotel in Newlands were recently conspicuously swollen with the leather-clad SUVs and Mercedes of art buyers attending what turned out to be a momentous art auction hosted by Strauss&Co, the fine art specialists. 10 Mar 2011 Read more >>

The Southern Africa Luxury Association (SALA) was launched in September 2009 with the explicit purpose of encouraging interaction and collective thinking within the region's luxury and premium lifestyle industries. In order to lay down the foundations of a thriving and vibrant sector SALA regularly hosts events in Johannesburg and Cape Town to stimulate?debate, facilitate networking and foster collaboration between member brands and their High Net Worth clients. 4 Sep 2010 Read more >>

The Southern Africa Luxury Association (SALA) is pleased to announce the partnership with Orient-Express. Our collaboration for the 2011 year marks a continued commitment to work with leading brands in Southern Africa. Last year we enjoyed the hospitality of both the One&Only Cape Town and Johannesburg's Hyatt Regency and this year, we will be alternating our respected Briefing series between the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and The Westcliff in Johannesburg. 15 Feb 2010 Read more >>