Page 12 - SA Chamber UK-NOV News letter 2023

The UK, as a leading trading partner and investor in South Africa, has seen bilateral trade
exceed £10 billion recently, a 6.3% increase from the previous year. UK’s foreign direct

investment in South Africa reached a notable £19.4 billion in 2020, up 36.8% from 2019.
The Cape’s vibrant tourism, agriculture, and tech sectors present lucrative opportunities
for UK investment and collaboration.

Consequently, the Cape Chapter is a pivotal connector between two dynamic economies,
promoting trade, investment, cultural, and educational exchanges. The Chapter offers a

platform for mutual opportunity exploration, expertise sharing, and innovation.

Additionally, the Chapter will serve as a critical resource for business support and
advice, aiding companies in navigating each other’s markets regulatory environments,
and identifying business partners. This support is particularly vital for SMEs considering
international ventures.

Under Natalie Naude’s guidance, with Sharon Constançon and HE Antony Phillipson’s
support, the Chapter is poised to advance mutual prosperity and collaboration. Natalie

Naude, supported by Chapter members Rene Stegmann and Candice Magen, bring
invaluable insight into the South African and UK business landscapes. Their role in SA-UK
business relations ensures focused and successful Chapter development.

Special thanks to the sponsors: British High Commission, De Grendel Wines, Congo
Cowboys, Table Mountain Water, Abroadscope, Relocation Africa, Natalie Naude, Frankie
Bells Real Estate, David Naude, and Bjorn Salsone for their support in this landmark event.

- By Natalie Naude, Cape Chapter Chair

12

SA CHAMBER UK NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2023

it needs to do so again, but time is short. We need to break up the essentially metropolitan
structures put in place by Apartheid, which drive up challenges for transport and infrastructure,
and move job creation to where people are. There are many successes in the current economy
– the film industry in the Western Cape from which 70000 jobs are created from one film
studio, is an outstanding example of localisation.

Focus on ‘End Goals’
Masterplans focus on ‘end goals’; to enable reaching these, they need to create starter

conditions and embrace ‘radical incrementalism’ at a local level to integrate the local with
the national in change making, to deliver on these goals. Including an ‘Urban acupuncture’
approach, making small injections into local economies to make a difference, and to include
in their ‘end state’ focus on targets and goals, a programme which feeds the starter conditions