Case studies from top companies at 'Future of Empowerment' conference

Topco Media, publisher of 'Top Empowered Companies' and organisers of Oliver Empowerment Awards, has identified two needs that this conference will fulfill.

"Organisations and individuals wish to have access to case studies and detailed examples of what top empowered organisations have done or implemented. They want to learn from them and emulate this success in their own business," explains Ryland Fisher, Associate publisher and editor at Topco Media and the moderator of the conference.

"The new update in the B-BBEE codes of good practice affects businesses positively and negatively at several tiers and companies and owners or executives in business need to know what the impact of the codes will be and obtain advice and knowledge on how to deal with these changes."

Keynote speakers

Day one opened with 'Unpacking the new revised B-BBEE codes of good practice' with an opening address by Alice Puoane, CFO of Brand South Africa. 'How will the new codes affect small business, in an economy that needs to grow in spite of legislation and compliance?' is the next topic.

On day two, Mathews Phosa, South African attorney and politician are opening with, 'The Freedom Charter and Economic Empowerment.' The keynote speaker will be Sipho Zikode, Deputy Director-General of the DTI on, 'Achievements and impacts of B-BBEE Implementation'. Both will be available for audience questions and answers.

The conference ends on a high note with an inspirational interview with Vivian Reddy, founder of the Edison Group and winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th annual Oliver Empowerment Awards.

Case study presenters

CEOs, CFOs, HR and transformation managers and those involved in the procurement and supply chain will profit from the lessons learned by top transformation companies, as they share their experiences and wisdom in case study presentations across both days. Many of these corporations are winners over the years of Oliver Awards for transformation and empowerment.

• Cas Coovadia, MD, The Banking Association South Africa
  
• Kate Moodley, Franchise Director, Discovery
  
• Maushami Chetty, Attorney, entrepreneur and change catalyst, Maushamic
  
• Mteto Nyati, CEO, MTN South Africa
  
• Mzwanele Manyi, President, Progressive Professional Forum, Special Advisor to the Minister of Communications
  
• Pansy Mekwa, GM: Strategy, Total South Africa
  
• Thulani Sibeko, Group Managing Executive: Group Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Nedbank
  
• Zinzi Mgolodela, Head of Transformation, Woolworths Holdings

Panel discussions

In the afternoon of day one, delegates were able to select from three fast track networking sessions. Each panel contains top thinkers in empowerment, economic growth and development. The sessions are Skills Development, The importance of Ownership in Empowerment and Enterprise and Supplier Development. Day two has a joint panel discussion on 'How do we grow Entrepreneurs in South Africa in the public and private sector?'