Faculty of Commerce 2014 Africa Day Celebrations

DPRU staff members helped organise the Faculty of Commerce Africa Day Celebrations on 27th May 2014:

The event was not only a celebratory occasion and an opportunity to meet some of the recipients of the Faculty’s 2014 donations drive. There were also some serious messages about doing business in Africa shared in the seminar, and an opportunity for all the staff attending to give thought to the importance and relevance of African Month to the University of Cape Town.

The seminar was opened by the Faculty’s Transformation Committee Chair, Haroon Bhorat (a Professor in the School of Economics and Director of the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU), followed by a brief introduction to what Africa Month means to us, from Prof Crain Soudien, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of Transformation Services.

In the seminar the invited speaker, Bernard Cassar, shared fascinating insights into his experiences as a businessman working in Nigeria, East Africa and even St Helena, and spoke animatedly on the topic of “Living proof that you can do business in Africa – Proudly African”. Mr Cassar, now retired, was previously Executive Director of Protea Hotels and is one of a select few who can proudly say that they have travelled to every country on the continent of Africa.

The audience was then treated to a short video produced by UCT students, introducing the Khumbulani Centre in Khayelithsha. Khumbulani provides a holistic educare programme for families affected by HIV/Aids. The Centre’s activities range from running a crèche, after-care/homework support, psycho-social support for adolescents, an HIV/Aids support group for adults and a vegetable garden. After a delicious buffet lunch of traditional African food, a delighted audience was treated to a mini-concert performed by 14 children visiting from Khumbulani.

A fun prize-giving followed, with Jamie-Lee Swarts from the College of Accounting winning the Best Traditional African Dress award, and Toughedah Jacobs from the DPRU taking home the ‘Thanks for Attending’ Lucky-Dip first prize. Jamie then officiated the handover of the wonderfully generous donations received from the Faculty’s staff and students. Mama Gloria accepted the collected cash and boxes of clothes, food, toys, stationary and other much-needed items, on behalf of the Khumbulani Centre.

The Faculty is immensely grateful to the following generous sponsors for their much appreciated contributions:
• Mr and Mrs Eugene and Marilyn Mori of Casa Mori B & B in Devon Valley for their first prize of a weekend away (http://casamorifarm.blogspot.com/)
• Professor Tim Noakes and his foundation for their second prize of a Real Meal Revolution recipe book and Cereal Killers DVD (http://thenoakesfoundation.org/)
• Edcon Group and Edgars Branch, Claremont, for their generous gift vouchers
• Desiree McKie from “Jou Ma Se Comedy Club” for the double ticket prizes (www.joumasecomedy.com)
• The Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) for sponsoring T-shirts for the children visiting from Khumbulani.