The dinner was hosted by Accelerate Cape Town CEO, Mr. Guy Lundy, and was sponsored by Ernst & Young. Accelerate Cape Town is a private sector initiative aimed at bringing together influential stakeholders in the Cape Region to develop and implement a long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
The organisation was created by a group of business leaders who were brought together by a common concern over the lack of pace and direction of change in the Cape and particularly the inability to attract and retain new and established businesses and talented young professionals.
Mayor Helen Zille stated that she is keen to work with the private sector to deliver 2010 as effectively as possible. (The Los Angeles Olympics was cited by the Mayor as an example of how private sector investments made the Games profitable).
She also said that people must be more realistic about the projected benefits of 2010. For example, people should not expect a drastic overhaul of public transport before 2010, as we simply don’t have enough time left. We should rather see 2010 as a catalyst to drive the development of an improved public transport system beyond 2010.
The Mayor also encouraged the business leaders to actively take advantage of the opportunities presented by 2010. The World Cup on it’s own will not provide wealth and economic growth, but like Germany we must use a successful 2010 World Cup to showcase how we have changed for the better in order to overcome the Afro-pessimism that still exists in the world.
The business leaders raised the point that they would love to get involved in the Fan Parks for 2010, but they are too nervous about issues related to FIFA’s branding rules. Mayor Zille undertook to discuss these issues of concern with the 2010 LOC and get clarity on what business will and will not be allowed to do.
Her plea to the business community was that they must not wait for government to lead on maximizing the benefits of 2010. Rather business must drive the opportunities and push government to help make 2010 a huge success.
The business leaders raised the fact that possibly the biggest challenge to business and the development of a positive investment climate in the Cape is the “political sniping” that takes place and the lack of alignment and co-operation between City and Province. They felt that this situation must improve as soon as possible.
Guy Lundy, CEO of Accelerate Cape Town, said, “Accelerate Cape Town is in the process of putting together a project centred around improving the “visitor experience”, particularly focussing on improving service levels. 2010 is a good date to aim for, and it will help us to put in place significantly raised service levels for after 2010”.
Mr. Lundy also outlined one of Accelerate Cape Town’s envisaged projects to create an international business club, which will enable international visitors to meet and interact with local business people so that they can develop ideas around joint investments.
According to Mr. Lundy, “This international business club concept has been successfully implemented, particularly around big international events, in a number of cities, including Sydney, London, Beijing and others”.
Mr. Lundy further stated that, “Accelerate Cape Town undertakes to act as a repository for great ideas around maximizing the benefit of the 2010 World Cup, for example how best to develop and use the fan parks, and liaise with the City to make sure that they can be implemented. ACT will work with the City to host a workshop to come up with creative ideas”.
A similar round table dinner discussion with the Premier of the Western Cape, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool, and another group of business leaders will take place in the first week of November.
Contact Details: Issued by: Linton Rensburg on behalf of Accelerate Cape Town 0825080990.
Accelerate Cape Town CEO Mr. Guy Lundy Contact Details: 0834400208
