Ecco Chamber
Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa
I edition December 2025
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Buon Natale from ItalCham to You
Buon Natale from ItalCham to You
See you in January 2026
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“Made in Italy Day”
Rugby: Lions VS Benetton
at Ellis Park A Celebration of Italian
Passion & Excellence
Join Us for “Made in Italy Day” at Ellis Park – A Celebration of Italian
Passion & Excellence
ItalCham is excited to invite you to a special “Made in Italy Day” experience at Ellis Park Stadium this Saturday, 6 December, as the Lions take on Benetton in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
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A dedicated Italian Area will be set up inside the Picketed Fence section—an exclusive space showcasing the richness of Italian culture, craftsmanship, and lifestyle. Guests can look forward to authentic Italian vendors, vibrant displays, delicious specialties, and a festive atmosphere brought to life through our proud partnerships with leading Italian brands and the Embassy of
Italy in Pretoria.
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This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Italian community, connect with businesses, and enjoy a true taste of Italy while supporting Benetton on the field.
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We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of sport, culture, and unmistakable Italian flair.
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Discount code: ITALIA50
For Ticketpro for the buy one get one free which equates to 50% discount
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See you on Saturday, 6 December!
Recap: TEHA 12th CEO Dialogue
on Southern Africa
ItalCham had the honour to be present at the recent 12th TEHA CEO Dialogue, which brought together prominent business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts for a dynamic exchange on strengthening growth and innovation across Southern Africa. Hosted in Johannesburg, the event created a vital platform for discussing Africa’s economic outlook, investment opportunities, and the role of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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Participants explored key themes, including regional trade, infrastructure development, and the evolving energy landscape, while side sessions highlighted Italy’s strategic contribution to driving sustainable partnerships on the continent. The Dialogue concluded with forward-looking insights from CEOs and stakeholders committed to shaping Africa’s future through innovation and meaningful engagement.
Cape Town Welcomes Italy in Town 2025:
A Celebration of Culture, Cuisine, Community at the Cape Quarter
Cape Town’s Cape Ǫuarter in De Waterkant transformed into a vibrant Italian piazza on 22 and 23 November as the Italy in Town Festival 2025 returned for another year of cultural celebration, authentic flavours, and community connection. Thousands of visitors flowed through the cobblestone streets to experience what has become one of Cape Town’s most anticipated cultural events.
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This year’s festival was organised in partnership with the Consulate of Italy in Cape Town, the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries (ItalCham), and the Committee for Italians Abroad (Com.It.Es), with generous sponsor support from Inpower Energy and Turkish Airlines. Together, they delivered a weekend that honoured Italian heritage while strengthening cultural and commercial ties between Italy and South Africa.
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The origins of Italy in Town are rooted in a heartfelt vision: a dream of establishing an authentic Italian market in De Waterkant, a space where the aromas, sounds, and spirit of Italy could come alive for locals and visitors alike. This dream materialised through the support of Cape Ǫuarter owner Guido Giachetti, who sponsored the venue in its entirety. Today, the festival serves as a living tribute to once a vision and a testament to the collaborative spirit of Cape Town’s Italian community.
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Across the two-day event, attendees were treated to an exceptional array of Italian culinary offerings from some of the city’s and country’s most prominent food vendors. Among them were Woolworths, Rialto, Italian Deli Online, Ischia Restaurant, Elvira’s Kitchen, Idiom Restaurant, Puglia Cheese, Monticello Farm, Supersconto, Ciao Pizza, Bacini’s, Jarrod Gelato, and Lello’s Deli. The diversity and quality of Italian cuisine on display provided visitors with a culinary tour of Italy’s regions—from Neapolitan-style pizza and handmade fresh pasta to artisanal gelato and premium cheeses.
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Wine enthusiasts had the opportunity to discover Italian and local labels offered by an impressive lineup of wine vendors, including Idiom Wines, Vinotria, Massimo’s, Gabba International, Mel Wines, Bottega Profumi Wines, Morgenster, Zonin Wines, Ayama, Dalla Cia, and Capeland Wines. Each brought their own expression of Italian viticultural heritage, offering tastings that paired seamlessly with the festival’s culinary offerings.
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Adding to the atmosphere were premium brand showcases from Lambretta, Cape Coffee Beans with Bialetti, Traville, Ross and Brown, The Engrave Slave, Savion Del Bene, Eziko Cooking School, Turkish Airlines, and Illy Coffee. Visitors also enjoyed the festival’s dedicated beverage stations, including a Peroni Bar, an Aperol Bar, and the popular Ferrarelle Bar—featuring Ferrarelle, Italy’s iconic naturally sparkling mineral water sourced from volcanic springs and renowned for its balanced mineral content.
One of the most celebrated features of the festival was the interactive pasta-making experience. Sponsored by Puglia Cheese, with premium ingredients supplied by Sapori, the classes were led by a professional Italian chef and equipped with KitchenAid pasta machines sponsored by the Wings Group. These sessions offered guests a rare opportunity to learn traditional pasta-making in a hands-on environment, blending culinary education with Italian hospitality.
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The festival’s VIP area presented an elevated experience featuring wine tastings hosted by Capeland Wines, olive oil sampling, and a risotto cooking show by Chef Giuliano Magnoni of Monticello Farm. VIP visitors also received gourmet goody bags sponsored by Food Lovers Market, while Sapori provided an assortment of premium cold meats and deli products for the VIP tasting tables.
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In a message commending the festival, the Mayor of Cape Town praised the initiative for its cultural significance and its contribution to fostering community connection.
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With its blend of authentic Italian gastronomy, cultural experiences, live demonstrations, and community engagement, Italy in Town 2025 once again affirmed its place as a highlight on Cape Town’s cultural calendar. Organisers have already begun planning for Italy in Town 2026, with promises of an even bigger and more immersive experience next year.
Lex Africa Knowledge Corner
LEX Africa is an Alliance of leading African law firms, established in 1993 to advise local and international clients on trade, business, investment, disputes, and other activities across Africa. Read some of their informative Articles on the latest below
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The New Code of Good Practice on Dismissal in South Africa
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On 4 September 2025, the new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (“New Code“) came into effect.
The New Code repeals and replaces the old Code of Good Practice: Dismissal and the Code of Good Practice Based on Operational Requirements, consolidating dismissals for misconduct, incapacity and operational requirements into one code.
The purpose of the New Code is to provide guidance on how the legal obligations under the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (“LRA“) regarding these dismissals apply to employers and employees.​​​​​​​​
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​ South Africa's slippery slope of financial distress
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Negative economic news stories appear in the media on a daily basis, and seemingly each day brings word of yet more company closures, with more jobs being shed, and with the general consensus that the South African economy is floundering.
One can be forgiven then for expecting that Stats SA’s latest liquidations numbers would record a bloodbath of liquidations. However, the liquidation statistics, up to July 2025, present a surprisingly puzzling picture in the context of the prevailing sentiment.
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Data Protection in Cameroon
Regulatory compliance under the law of December 23, 2024:
What businesses need to know
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The Nigerian Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal[1] on April 25, 2025, imposed a record fine of 220 million dollars on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC, owners of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, for unauthorized data transfers, publishing non-compliant privacy policies, and processing data of users established or residing in Nigeria without their consent. Among the notable sanctions by Data Protection Authorities in Africa, there is also the decision of July 18, 2025, by the Ugandan Data Protection Authority (PDPO).[2], sanctioning Google LLC., for transfer of personal data of Ugandan citizens outside Uganda without demonstrating adequate safeguards or accountability, and failure to appoint and provide the contact details of its designated Data Protection Officer for Uganda, in violation of the legal requirements.
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There's a New Merger Sheriff on the Continent:
Navigating the East African Community's Pending Merger Notification Regime
On 1 July 2025 the East African Community Competition Authority ("EACCA") published a notice ("Notice") announcing that the EACCA will commence receiving and reviewing merger notifications for its approval with effect from 1 November 2025.
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KEY - The Energy Transition Expo 2026 Hosted Buyers Programme ​
Rimini EXPO Centre, Italy | 4-6 March 2026
​​Join ItalCham’s hosted delegation to KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026, a fast-growing global platform where companies, institutions and innovators drive the future of clean energy and sustainability, organized by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group.
After our first delegations in 2024 and 2025 – with the notable participation of SAPVIA (The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association) in 2025 – we are now recruiting South African companies to join KEY 2026 and take part in B2B meetings with exhibitors from across the clean energy sector. ​​​
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Here's what KEY 2025 looked like:
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Over 1,000 exhibitors, 30% of which international
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90,000 m² of exhibition space across 20 halls
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350 hosted buyers and delegations from more than 50 countries
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More than 160 events, conferences and workshops
Why Join?
​At KEY, the future of energy takes shape!
Connect with the global clean energy community, discover innovative technologies, and explore new business opportunities.
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KEY’s unique format brings together seven exhibition sectors, each dedicated to a strategic area for the future of energy:
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SEC – Solar Expo & Conference: the hub for solar innovation, from residential and industrial solutions to large-scale projects and agrivoltaics.
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WEM – Wind Expo for Med: onshore, offshore, and mini-wind: the full spectrum of wind energy and its role in shaping renewable communities. WEM includes the exhibition Su.Port – ports as energy hubs: electrification of docks, emission reduction, and offshore wind development.
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KSE – Key Storage Expo: advanced storage technologies – from electrochemical to thermal and hydro – ensuring flexibility and stability in renewable-based energy systems.
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HYPE – Hydrogen Power Expo: production, storage, distribution and applications: hydrogen as a key vector for decarbonizing industry and mobility.
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EFFI – Energy Efficiency Expo & Sustainable Building District: cross-sector solutions for smarter energy use, plus sustainable construction in collaboration with Green Building Council Italia.
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eME – eMobility Expo: electric mobility at the centre: charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, batteries, and the evolving mobility ecosystem.
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Sustainable City: a laboratory for tomorrow’s cities: smart grids, digital services, clean transport, urban regeneration, and citizen well-being.
Buyers Programme - What’s Included:
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Selected companies will receive the following benefits:
• 3-night hotel accommodation (B&B treatment, 4-start hotel) for 1 representative per company
• Cash reimbursement of maximum € 300,00 as partial coverage of the flight ticket for 1 representative per company
• Transfers Bologna Airport – Hotel / Hotel – Bologna Airport
• Daily transfer from the hotel to the expo venue, and back
• Free entrance ticket
• Lunch at the exhibition centre
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Applicants will have to undertake:
• To schedule at least 10 B2B meetings with KEY exhibitors using the online “My Agenda by IEG” platform. These 30-minute meetings will take place on a dedicated B2B day during the exhibition. If the quota is not met in advance, additional appointments must be arranged directly at the expo;
• To submit the appointment diary, duly completed and signed by all exhibitors met;
• To complete an online satisfaction survey at the end of the meetings;
• To return to the exhibition on the designated free visit day to explore additional companies of interest.
Please note: the exact dates for the B2B day and the free visit day will be confirmed shortly and published on this page as soon as available.
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Apply by 15 December 2025
Limited spots available – applications will close as soon as the delegation reaches full capacity.
The company representative who will attend KEY must be a decision maker.
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​View job vacancies on the SMILE website
via this link - CLICK HERE
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If you are currently hiring,
Please take a look at SMILE-vetted candidates HERE
Alla prossima!