Jesse Jackson to open Global Leaders Africa Summit

Jackson is a passionate orator in the tradition and style of Southern US and African-American Protestant preaching and is known for bringing people together in common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief. He has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice.

Jackson joins a panel consisting of many of the world's most distinguished thought leaders at the historic event - a first for Africa - live and in person, to exchange ideas with Africa's public figures, senior business executives and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Other international speakers at the Global Leaders Africa Summit are:

• Carly Fiorina, former chairperson and CEO of Hewlett-Packard
• Hernando de Soto, president of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy
• Daniel Pink, consultant and author of Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind
• Scott Bedbury, former marketing chief for Nike and Starbucks
• Clayton Christensen, thought leader on innovation and author of Seeing What's Next" and
• Tom Peters, one of the most influential business thinkers of all times.

They will be joined on stage by local African leadership icons, including:

• Dr Charles Villa-Vicencio, executive director of the Cape Town-based Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
• Wiseman Nkuhlu, former economic adviser to President Thabo Mbeki and chief executive of NEPAD, current chairman of Pan-African Capital Holdings Ltd; and
• Crispin Sonn, general manager, Old Mutual Personal Financial Advice & Private Wealth Management.

All the speakers will each address the Summit over the first two days. On the final day, Tom Peters and Michael Porter will conduct workshops on "Re-imagining leadership" and "Competitive strategy" respectively. Peters will also share his views on "Ultimate success secrets".

For more information, go to www.globalleadersafrica.com.