Directors' Event in Sandton in April unpacks nationally important topics

“Our experience of the inaugural event in 2015 showed us that while we, as South Africans, are facing seemingly overwhelming challenges, there is a silver-lining if government, business, academic and civil leadership pull together,” says Trevor Ormerod, GM sales & marketing at Times Media.

Vuyo Lee, group executive: brand, corporate affairs and transformation, MMI Holdings, believes, “The event is relevant to businesses and business leaders, as it allows for collaboration among influential leaders in business, government and civil society. We expect that it will not only provide unique viewpoints from various spheres of our society but also help to collaboratively contribute to charting a new path to financial wellness and social cohesion.”

Innovation

In 2016, one of issues that will come under the microscope is the role that innovation plays in driving an economy forward. The panel, moderated by Andile Khumalo, will discuss ways to consolidate, coordinate and synergise innovative activities aimed at the entrepreneurial success of the South African economy.

• Prof Boris Urban (Professor & chair in entrepreneurship (Lamberti Foundation) Wits Business School)

• Justin Stanford (co-founding partner, 4Di Capital)
• Lebogang Maile (MEC Economic Development, Gauteng Provincial Government)
• Matsi Modise (MD, SiMODiSA)

• Yusuf Randera-Rees (CEO & co-founder, The Awethu Project)

Healthcare

Offering quality, affordable healthcare for all at a sustainable cost is a challenge for which a solution is still contentious. Bruce Whitfield will moderate the debate.

• Christine du Preez (director, Hlokomela Clinic)

• Dylan Garnett (CEO, Metropolitan Health)
• Malebona Precious Matsoso (director general of the Department of Health)
• Prakash Devchand (chairman and CEO, Lenmed Health)

• Simon Hlungwani (president, Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa)

Education

Iman Rapetti will be moderating what promises to be a hot discussion on education and skills development in South Africa.

• Fasiha Hassan, secretary general of WITS’ Student Representative Council

• Mary Metcalfe (visiting adjunct professor: Wits School of Governance; and change and stakeholder director, programme to Improve Learning Outcomes),

• Robyn Beere (Director, Inclusive Education South Africa), and Felicity Coughlan (Director, Independent institute of Education)

Improving competitiveness

CNBC Africa news anchor Bronwyn Nielsen will host the discussion on the uphill climb to improve South Africa’s global competitiveness.

• Caroline Galvan (lead economist & editor: Africa Competitiveness Report, WEF)

• Dion Shango (CEO, PwC Southern Africa)
• Muhammad Seedat (founder and MD, Smartrac)
• Nontombi Marule (director innovation & technology, dti)

• Richard Poplak (author, Continental Shift: A Journey Through Africa’s Changing Fortunes)

Ormerod says of the innovative debating platform, “The positive feedback received from more than 200 executive level delegates last year, combined with the willingness of leaders to participate in debate in an exposed forum again this year, make it an unmissable opportunity. Ticket bookings are exceeding expectations.”

For more information, go to www.thedirectorsevent.co.za.