BrandSouthAfrica.com

The International Marketing Council (IMC) of South Africa was named Investment Promotion Agency of the Year at the Africa Investor Awards, which have just taken place in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is the second year running that the IMC has scooped this award at Africa’s Business Oscars, in recognition of its excellent work in promoting South Africa as open for business.

Accepting the award, Margaret Dingalo, Director of Stakeholder Relations at the IMC, said that it was proof that “the new South Africa works.”

“While some may see our location on the southern tip of Africa as associated with trouble and poverty, we don’t.  We think Africa has a tremendous future – offering unparalleled opportunities for investors.”

She went on to note that “South Africa is a nation of realists.  A combination of creativity, idealism and pragmatism has helped us find lasting solutions to extremely tough problems.”

Dingalo concluded her acceptance speech by urging delegates to “make South Africa your next stop.”

[Read Margaret Dingalo's speech South Africa Works! here]

What are the Africa Investor Awards? 

Called Africa’s Business Oscars, the Africa Investor Awards are held annually to honour Africa’s investment achievements. 

The 2006 awards ceremony, which took place on 9 November in Nairobi, Kenya is the third year that the awards have been made.

Previous winners include Lazarus Zim, who was named 2005 African Business Leader, Eskom, which won the 2005 Sustainable Investment in Africa Award and Barclays, which was named Bank of the Year in 2005.

The International Marketing Council of South Africa won the Investment Promotion Agency of the Year award in 2005 and again in 2006 .

In May this year, Brand South Africa adverts developed by the IMC were voted in the 10 most memorable adverts by European readers of the Economist, the world’s leading business publication.  Economist readers described the IMC's adverts, which highlight the growth potential from investing in South Africa, described them as “informative”, “witty”, “interesting”, “appealing” and “unexpected”.

The IMC came into being in 2000 to create a positive, united image for South Africa.  Using the slogan, “South Africa: Alive with Possibility” its mission is to articulate a brand for South Africa in order to attract tourism, trade and investment and to build national support for Brand South Africa. For more information visit www.southafrica.info.

ENDS

Issued by Meropa Communications
On behalf of the International Marketing Council of South Africa.
For more information contact

Tumelo Kumalo: Tel: 011 483 0122/ 084 962 5829

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