Inaugural Nation Brand Forum encourages South Africans to play a part
(People's Daily Online) Sissy Zhang 2016-09-21 12:20
Brand South Africa hosts its inaugural Nation Brand Forum on August 25th 2016 in Sandton, Johannesburg. Janine Hills, as the program director, speaks at the Forum. (Picture: People’s Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)
Johannesburg August 25 (People's Daily Online) - “South Africa has a good story to tell. So let’s come up with a branding that enhances our standing before the community of nations.” said Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi at the inaugural Nation Brand Forum on Wednesday in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Brand South Africa hosted its inaugural Nation Brand Forum to bring together business, government and civil society to discuss how South Africans can help build a strong and cohesive nation brand.
Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi speaks at the inaugural Nation Brand Forum on August 25th 2016 in Sandton, Johannesburg. (Picture: People’s Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)
“At this Forum we must identify our strengths and benefits to anchor a common approach that will be used to showcase and celebrate the assets of SA when promoting the country that is attractive to visit, to do business with and to study in.” said Muthambi.
The Forum was attended by representatives of government, business and civil society, the three main pillars of the South African Nation Brand. Participants got an opportunity to express their opinions freely according to various topics of economy, society, culture and tourism in the breakaway sessions, aiming to anchor a common approach on how to position SA as a globally competitive nation brand in a cohesive and consistent manner.
Kingsley Makhubela, CEO of Brand South Africa speaks at the inaugural Nation Brand Forum on August 25th 2016 in Sandton, Johannesburg. (Picture: People’s Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)
According to the 2015 Anholt Nation Brand Index, SA ranks 38 of 50 countries assessed. Although the nation has dropped one place – from 37 in 2014 to 38 in 2015, it has improved on the pillars of people and tourism and held steady on the pillars of exports and governance.
Breakaway session on Investments & Exports at the inaugural Nation Brand Forum (Picture: People’s Daily Online / Zhang Jiexian)
