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Preparing for Business Recovery Post COVID-19

he biggest annual gathering of role players and decision makers in the Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector took place
Tvirtually for the second time since the outbreak of COVID-19 on 14 October 2021. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa
(CGCSA) Summit deliberated on the challenges South Africa is facing and the impact of COVID-19 on business. Aptly themed “Uniting
the Industry: The Key to Thriving in the next Decade” the summit focussed on solutions necessary to prepare the economy for recovery
and looking into the future.

Beyers van der Merwe and Devin O’Donovan during
CEO of Exclusive Books Grattan Kirk, opened the summit.
their presentations.

The CEO of Exclusive Books and CGCSA board member, Grattan Chief Executive: Marketing of PEP Stores, Beyers van der Merwe and
Kirk reflected on the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the Redflank Solutions Management Consultant, Devin O’Donovan
industry particularly the alcohol and tobacco sectors. While this weighed in on the impact of COVID-19 and 4IR on the Wholesale
would have a lasting impact, Kirk urged leaders to look forward to and Retail Sector.
the next frontier with agility. Kirk described the FMCG sector as the Devin provided an overview of the findings and recommendations
most resilient industry during the difficult pandemic and defying from the research conducted by the W&RSETA. He highlighted that
the odds. although COVID-19 had exposed the fragility of South Africa’s
economy, the Wholesale and Retail Sector showed to be responsive

A panel discussion with the W&RSETA CEO, Tom Mkhwanazi, and adaptive. Beyers shared how PEP Stores has been resilient
Sebe Rasebitse from Rain South Africa, Queen Munyani from the during the challenging pandemic and unrests through entrenching
Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, and FoodBev SETA CEO its values, purpose and leadership vision.
Nokuthula Selamolela engaged on how to build dynamic teams
to drive business growth. Other topics of the summit were on transforming the sector,
Mkhwanazi highlighted on how the W&RSETA had swiftly retailing through convenience, managing macro supply chains in
responded to the needs of the sector and its beneficiaries to a post COVID-19 world, vertical farming – a way to trigger a
minimise disruptions to quality assurance standards. He also farming renaissance, the South African FMCG sector resilience
highlighted the importance of career guidance to prepare young in adversity as well as re-asserting South Africa as an economic
people for the world of work and how wholesale and retail should powerhouse in Africa.
be positioned as a career of choice

Nokuthula Selamolela

Tom Mkhwanazi, Sebe Rasebitse, Queen Munyani and Nokuthula Selamolela during their panel discussion.

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W&RSETA | October 2021