Botha, at the International Embok (Event Management Body Of Knowledge)
Imbizo
2 July 2007
I am delighted to address you this morning on the occasion for the third
International Embok Imbizo and to extend to all our international guests, on
behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa a very warm welcome.
This year and I'm sure many South African present here today will agree with
me, we have experienced the coldest winter in a very long time if ever before.
Could this be ascribed to climate change which everyone is concerned about
today?
Event management, in all its facets, is of great importance to our nation.
It is, however, a complex series of communication techniques and yet it is
through effective communication methods and knowledge systems that we need to
ensure that our nation develops to new levels of professionalism.
The event management body of knowledge is a ground breaking imbizo that
appears to have drawn a number of international presenters and participants
from all over the world.
This is an additional opportunity to interact with the nations of the world
in regard to event management and we are delighted to have our international
event management experts in our land.
Size of industry
It is important that we do not underestimate the size of the event
management industry. Research carried out by our Department of Arts and Culture
in 2005 indicated that over R6 billion had been paid in taxes in 2004 and there
is strong reason to believe that this figure has increased substantially since
2005.
I believe that there are in excess of over a thousand event venues in
Gauteng alone while the other eight provinces bring the total amount across the
country to over 3 500 event venues located within urban, suburban and rural
areas.
I am informed that these event venues, with and without accommodation links,
may have a collective usage throughout the year of approximately 60% (i.e. 200
days per annum). This translates to a figure of something like 350 000 events,
both large and small in capacity, taking place within the borders of South
Africa.
Importance of industry
With this age of advanced technology and rapid computerisation, people at
all levels and of varied persuasions will wish to communicate directly via
seminars, incentive meetings, conferences, conventions, product launches and
commemorative events. The list of such group events is almost endless.
It should also be borne in mind, however, that government through its
various departments and agencies is a major client of the events industry.
So, as long as there is government it will be business as usual for the
events industry. One can, therefore, say without a doubt that opportunities for
growth within the eventing industry are limitless.
Let us also remember that with the majority of events is the technical
service that not only enhance the communication process but ensures greater
message retention for all gatherings.
So, events and technical services are the twin components that go hand in
glove when analysing the importance of this industry sector in our economy.
Collective voice
In many instances where government liaises with the private sector, it
becomes important for the public sector to form strategic partnerships with a
collective voice from the industry. There is much strength in unity and it is
our desire that this conference will indeed ensure that collective unity
amongst all within the events management sector is strengthened. This will
enable government to enter into such strategic partnerships with the private
sector member associations and together move forward towards sustainable
development and accelerated and shared economic growth.
2. Role of Department of Arts and Culture
Challenges of South African development State, a developing nation and the
government's priorities
The challenges of a young developing nation such as ours are enormous. We
are still faced with the challenges of huge disparities between the haves and
the have knots, of racial and gender discrimination, poverty, unemployment and
underdevelopment.
The government's role in the events industry as mentioned is, therefore,
critical as the challenges are equally enormous. I wish to emphasise that in
order address these challenges it is imperative for government and the private
sector as well as the populace to collaborate on all fronts.
Together they would identify obstacles that hinder greater participation in
the economy and opportunities. They would together look at and implement
intervention strategies for the acceleration and sharing of economic
growth.
As a result of the work undertaken by South African events and technical
services task team presently, it is acknowledged by many players within the
industry that there is an inadequate number of individuals coming through the
ranks of event management industry and taking their rightful place in the
mainstream economy.
The events industry together with the all important technical services
sector needs to ensure that the playing fields are levelled. That our youth and
all marginalised individuals in urban, suburban and the rural regions within
our land, are provided with an equal opportunity to not only enter the events
and technical services industry but to develop and prosper.
That is the governmental challenge which the Department of Arts and Culture
is positively addressing.
Commemorative event
The Dept of Arts and Culture also has a role in ensuring that all our
national days of commemorations are undertaken at the highest level of
professionalism and in an environment of openness and transparency. Freedom
Day, National Women's Day, Youth Day, Heritage Day to name but four important
dates on the our national calendar demand of us all efficient, professional and
safe services.
These are serious responsibilities our Department has to oversee as these
events command thousands of people. A very successful event last year was the
re-enacting of the Women's Anti Pass March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria
in 1956. It is estimated that over 40 000 women converged in the capital on the
9 August 2006. No negative incidents were reported.
Events guidelines
As with all undertakings, events require guidelines in order to ensure
effective message retention takes place. As you may be aware, no one attends an
event to have an unpleasant experience. We all wish to learn, engage, impart
and be enlightened within the framework of the group event which we may be
attending at a given time. This means that event guidelines in all its many
facets needs to be available as part of our ongoing educational
requirements.
In this regard I am delighted that the Department of Arts and Culture is
taking a lead role in ensuring that there is a better understanding of this
vibrant and exciting sector of the South African economy.
Some have posed the question, why the Department of Arts and Culture?
No matter how indistinct all group gatherings may seem, there are always
elements of art and culture embedded in all events and indeed all gathering of
groups which transcends the small micro issues surrounding why an event is
being held.
The Department of Arts and Culture is quite clear on our role in events
management with its array of technical services.
Role of task team
My Department is proud to have initiated setting up of the events and
technical services task team. Its mandate is significant and I wish to share
with you some of their achievements.
Levelling of the playing fields
Through the national road show undertaken during May of this year, the
industry, both within major cities and smaller suburban areas has demonstrated
their great desire to be part of this buoyant industry.
I am also gratified to learn the additional good news that four new black
female event and technical individuals will be joining the task team shortly,
skills transfer has taken place within the team's administrative side in that a
very bright and eager black South African female will be heading the team's
administration unit in July.
Transforming to new levels of professionalism
The events and technical services industry, by their own admission, is only
just reaching a type of maturity after 35 years of unsteady growth with hardly
any discernible rules and regulations.
The task team has, however, committed itself to work even harder and the
second half of 2007 and first quarter of 2008 will set the scene for
transforming this industry to commendable professional levels.
Transporting professionalism to Sub-Saharan Africa
Part of the team's mandate is to seek methods of exporting or transporting
our new professionalism to other parts of the African continent so that South
Africa can positively share a high standard of eventing together with technical
services and to possibly make this another New Partnership for Africa's
development (NEPAD) project. Also in view of the fact that South Africa will be
hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, that is an African event for us.
4. Task team mandate and September summit
Extensive national input and contributions
The Department is delighted that over 700 bona fide industry players
contributed to the democratic process of tremendous input on a wide range of
pertinent issues.
The culmination of all the time and effort to date in completing the mandate
will commence with a summit in September which will take place on the 12 and 13
September at the Apartheid Museum. (Please seek out the details and join us for
what promises to be two days of highly enlightening information from and about
this industry).
5. Support for Embok efforts
Our Department has no hesitation in supporting the efforts of EMBOK.
However, protocol will require us to obtain our Cabinet's approval as this may
have financial implications.
I am delighted that:
* attendance and facilitation by several team project leaders, several task
team members are enrolled for Embok and will be facilitating some workshops
during the course over the next three days.
* Summit invitation distribution
The same team members, I believe, do have copies of summit invitations plus
background information on the work of the task team at our exhibition table.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to chat with team members about their
work.
6. Concluding statements
Growth continues
With the continued growth projected for the event and technical services
industries within South Africa we have a golden opportunity to capitalise on
improving, not only standards but also the quality of life of many different
people of South Africa through this industry.
At the age of 35 years, which is about the age of the industry, I am certain
that it is absolutely matured. The growing pains of childhood are behind you
and the future looks bright and prosperous.
I wish to thank Janet Landley and her IEM team for inviting today and for
the sterling work they have been doing.
My good wishes to all of you, organisers, presenters and especially the
Embok international guests but in particular the rising stars within the ranks
of the youth. To you I say listen carefully, learn and take advantage of these
proceedings over the coming three Embok imbizo days. I expect to see you coming
through the ranks and taking this industry to greater heights with better and
much bigger events.
To our international guests, please enjoy our country. It may be a very cold
four days but believe me the hearts of all the people of South Africa are warm.
I wish you a very successful imbizo and fruitful deliberations. May Embok
continue to share its resources and knowledge for the empowerment of us all and
the greater international community.
Thank you!
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
2 July 2007
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za/)
