Page 2 - SA Chamber UK-NOV News letter 2023
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HELLO & WELCOME
Message from the Chairman
Autumn arrived quite suddenly in the UK this year, with storms Ciaran and Debi causing
havoc and ensuring the entire population of leaves fell to the ground in what seemed like
a matter of days. With winter closing in fast and the nights drawing in, it was with great
pleasure that I embarked on a nearly three-week long trip to South Africa, combining work,
holiday, and family festivities.
Cape Town
The highlight of my trip to Cape Town was the relaunch of the Cape Chapter of the Chamber,
under a new committee, which we were privileged to hold in the wonderful gardens of
the official residence of the UK High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Antony
Phillipson. Tickets were highly sought after and attendance was high, as were the spirits
of the new team on being welcomed with such enthusiasm and support from the Cape’s
business community.
L-R: Rene Stegman, Cape Chapter SACC UK; Natalie Naudé, Director, SACC UK and Cape Chapter Lead; Sharon
Constançon, Chairman, SACC UK; Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Provincial Minister for Finance & Economic
Opportunities; Candice Magen, Cape Chapter; HE Mr Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to SA.
While in Cape Town, we also held a panel discussion on the risks of Rand volatility to
importers and exporters, which built upon the webinar earlier in the month featuring
Xpatweb, Africorp Forex and CC Currencies around a similar subject. We were very grateful
to be hosted for this session by I&J at the Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront.
Absa shared a technical analysis and their insights on corporate engagement, PwC gave an
economic perspective on the Rand, and Sable International and CC. Currencies explored
the challenges that importers and exporters need to navigate.
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SA CHAMBER UK NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2023