WHAT'S COMING IN 2024?

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A new year can feel like a doorway out into the abyss.

With it comes the unknown and there is no homogenous vision of where the future leads. More strongly, our collective efforts are often precisely at loggerheads. This is on view in the ongoing wars which ultimately affect all of us. They will further be on view in South Africa’s national general elections later this year.

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A number of sites of electoral contest will come under the spotlight this year, including: arguably the world’s most important election in the USA; the world’s biggest election in India; and in three of South Africa’s neighbouring countries Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana. And with Italy’s track record of nearly one election per year since 1945, maybe them too?

Of course, the great issue of climate change is the subtext to everything in our age, affecting elections, economics and human culture.

Last year was the hottest in recorded history and it is daunting to realise that it will soon be surpassed.

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The prospects of the global economy are also a matter of uncertainty.

This links back to both political and climate issues. Additionally, interest rates remain high, however they are expected to fall over the course of this year.

But an uncertain future can also be an exciting future.

One where we can contest the game.  

One where the outcomes are not determined.

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While we as ItalCham cannot affect elections or global warming, we wish to offer an opportunity to any willing collaborator to take part in something meaningful. Life at Italcham is never boring and we offer an array of activities to address the problems of life and business.

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First, we invite you to our Aperilink in Johannesburg on the 25th of January which will offer an opportunity to get back in touch with your community for the beginning of the year. This event will happen simultaneously with our presence at SIGEP exhibition in Italy which is dedicated to the food service industry. We will also be present at KEY 2024 in February, dedicated to the renewables sector. Both of these fairs will happen in Rimini. 

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In May you can expect our prestigious Business Excellence Awards, after which we will be having our annual general meeting.

Owing to the fact that several members from our board will be stepping down, a formal process of board recruitment is underway to identify new incoming candidates for our executive committee.

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The remainder of the year holds much in store and we look forward to activities across South Africa’s cities. Importantly, we would like to welcome his excellency, Italy’s new ambassador Alberto Vecchi to South Africa and look forward to introducing our business community to his leadership this year.

Through all the uncertainty, we would like to wish you all the

strength achieve prosperity this year.

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