Ecco Chamber
Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa
I edition October 2023
How a Net Works
13 - 19
Nov
Settimana della Cucina Italiana
Chamber's Note
HOW A NET WORKS
A single thread, with a hook attached to its end, and a skilled fisherman holding its rod, often results in a few succulent fish on a successful and leisurely day out. But what happens if we combine all those fine threads, crisscrossing them through one another and binding them? Suddenly, we have a tool to catch enough fish to feed a village. The earliest uses of the net go as far back as any of the major civilisations: Rome, Egypt, Greece, China and many other places. Their obvious utility made their use ubiquitous. Such a concept, the welding together of individual components to produce an interconnected device of cornucopian magnitude is the reason the word ‘net’ has lent itself to the word ‘network’.
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It has clearly dawned on us humans that we tend to work better in collectives than we do as individuals. When we allow ourselves to rely on others, we also allow ourselves to become more skilled and specialised in what we do. Most of us cannot build a house, drill for water, or make clothes, and yet these products form daily aspects our existence because we allow others to specialise in those areas so that we can get on specialising in what we do.
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Aside from its utility to reinforce and strengthen, the concept of interwovenness also connotes effective communication. We network because we want to get in touch with more people, and the greater our network, the greater our access to information. This notion goes back not only thousands of years but millions. Trees are known to expand their roots and weave them through the ground, meeting and interacting with mycelium (fungi) which allow them to transfer nutrients between each other in times of drought or other crises. They can also communicate warnings of sort to warn each other of these things. The obvious value in networking isn’t lost on our green oxygen-providing friends, and nor should it be lost on us.
Even one if one finds themselves to be an ardent individualist, what is the individual mind if not a series of neural networks connecting the mind to the body and producing those strange and miraculous things called thoughts. Neurons fire away through complex circuits in ways reminiscent of a supercomputer. Indeed, it is from such computers that we browse what we refer to as the internet, which translates directly to an interconnected network; individual units of data combining and exchanging ideas within a scope and speed beyond comprehension. The concept of these connections, these networks, seems to be a discovered rule of nature rather than a human invention.
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Italcham has cherished its opportunities to cultivate such connections and grow such networks, as roots through the soil connect individual trees of all kinds, or threads in a net hold the weight of the ocean and its fruits. Of course, this is impossible without the threads themselves, or the trees. One cannot lose sight of the importance of each individual component in our network, but nor can one lose sight of those individuals’ role in a greater tapestry which benefits all. We encourage our members to make full use of what this network has to offer, as it continues to grow.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
SCENARIOS IN SOUTH AFRICA
IN 2040
A discussion forum on how to tackle
youth unemployment in South Africa
ItalCham had the pleasure to participate in the "Youth Unemployment Scenarios" seminar on 26 September 2023. Hosted by the SwissCham Southern Africa - South Africa Chapter, centered around Dr. Maximilian Matschke's impactful book, the seminar delved into the intricate factors driving youth unemployment in South Africa and explored potential future outcomes.
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Chris Martin, Special Projects Manager at Order of St.John offered valuable insights into the uNowangaProject, providing a concise overview and sharing testimonies of the organization's contribution to youth employment and its future prospects.
Key stakeholders from the private and publicsectors engaged in insightful discussions, sharing strategies to empower our youth and create ample opportunities for growth.
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Co-hosted by ItalCham, along with Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Republic of South Africa, Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this interactive session shed light on the state of the economy and its trajectory.
Photocredit SwissCham
European Chambers' 4th
Golf Day Johannesburg
Thank you for the wonderful day!
European Chambers' 2nd
Golf Day Cape Town
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Practical information
The second edition of the European Chambers’ Golf Day in Cape Town is an event that has become an annual feature for the local and international business community active in the Western Cape; 4 organizing Business Chambers, totaling a network of over 700 corporate members:
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• Belgian Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa (BCCSA)
• Business Ireland Southern Africa
• Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries
• Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa
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The venue is the King David Mowbray Golf Club, one of the top golf courses in the Western Cape, with modern facilities and a comfortable venue to accommodate the guests.
Expected attendance of 96 players, plus the guests of the respective Business Chambers and a number of local and international VIPs.
Ample opportunity to network, before and after the golf competition, during the prize-giving ceremony, and at the buffet dinner.
The price for the four-ball is 4800 (excl. VAT), including snacks and dinner, drinks, and golf giveaway goodies.
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Sponsorship closing date 24 October 2023
Italy meets South Africa:
Focus on Machinery and Equipment for Mining
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and SIMEST, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in South Africa and ITALCHAM, are organizing a webinar on October 25th, followed by online B2B meetings between Italian and South African companies active in the Machinery and Equipment for Mining sector.
The event will be broadcast live on the CDP Business Matching Platform on October 25th starting from 10:30 AM, offering an overview of the opportunities and business relationships between Italian and South African companies in the Machinery and Equipment for Mining sector.
The webinar will be followed by B2B meetings held on the Business Matching platform, developed by CDP in partnership with SIMEST and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, an innovative digital tool that automatically matches Italian and South African companies based on the business strategies indicated during the platform registration.
Registered companies will benefit from the support of our experts in organizing and conducting B2B meetings.
Our team will be available to assist companies at any time.
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Partners
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WELCOMING OUR NEW MEMBER
Introducing Estella Group (Pty) Ltd, a newly established company as of October 2021. The venture between two esteemed Italian manufacturing houses brought forth our collective experience of over 40 years in the hosiery industry. Our track record of excellence with South African customers sets us apart from the competition and positions us as true experts in our field.
Our mission is to fulfil this need by providing high-quality hosiery products that meet the diverse demands of our clients. With a keen focus on innovation, we constantly strive to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver products that exceed expectations.
As experts in the hosiery industry, we place great emphasis on our manufacturing processes, ensuring stringent quality control measures are in place at every step. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology and manned by a team of skilled professionals who possess an unwavering commitment to excellence. This enables us to consistently deliver superior products that meet and surpass industry standards.
Moreover, our dedication to customer satisfaction is deeply ingrained in our company culture. We understand that every client has unique requirements, and we take pride in our ability to provide personalized solutions. Our experienced team works closely with each client, offering expert guidance and support throughout the entire process. From product design and development to timely delivery, we ensure a seamless experience for our valued clients.
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At Estella Group (Pty) Ltd, we believe that strong partnerships with our clients lare the key to success.
In conclusion, if you are seeking a reputable company that combines expertise, superior quality, and exceptional customer service, look no further than Estella Group (Pty) Ltd. We are passionate about what we do, and our commitment to excellence shines through in everything we undertake. Join us in our journey as we set new standards in the hosiery industry and make a lasting impact in the South African market.
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Estella Group (Pty) Ltd can be contacted on:
Email: info@estellagroup.co.za
Contact number: 0218796077
Address: Unit 6/12, Silo Exchange, 19 Brug Street, Stikland, Cape Town, 7
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SIGEP
THE DOLCE WORLD EXPO
ItalCham is currently sourcing applications to set up a BUYER DELEGATION for SIGEP - 45th International Trade Show of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery and the Coffee World (20-24 January 2024 - Rimini Expo Centre, Italy).
SIGEP is the world's leading B2B event to discover the latest news, innovations and trends in the Dessert and Coffee Food Service Industry: raw materials and ingredients, machinery and equipment, furnishings, packaging and services.
A unique meeting place for dialogue with companies and professionals to discuss industry scenarios and an opportunity for business, networking, professional updating and sharing for the following sectors:
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GELATO: SIGEP is the only trade show in the world featuring the entire supply chain of Artisan Gelato.
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PASTRY: the world's top event for the entire supply chain of the Artisan Pastry business.
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CHOCOLATE: the only world-class industry expo showcasing excellence throughout the Artisan Chocolate supply chain.
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COFFEE: the entire coffee supply chain showcased in a not to be missed event for the industry.
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BAKERY: the world excellence of raw materials and semi-finished products, combined with the innovations of the best technologies and the latest trends in Italian-style premises formats.
7 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
• 3 nights for 1 buyer per company in a hotel on B&B treatment
Arrival date: Monday 22nd Jan 2024
Departure date: Thursday 25th Jan 2024
• transfer from Bologna airport to the hotel and vice versa;
• daily transfer from the hotel to the expo and vice versa;
• free admission ticket to the expo;
• buffet lunch at the expo.
Please note: airplane ticket to be paid by the buyer.
BUYERS WILL HAVE TO UNDERTAKE:
• to follow the scheduled 30-minutes appointments agenda with SIGEP exhibitors for the duration of one day (if you have not reached 10 appointments with the online “My Agenda by IEG” between December 4th and January 16th, you will add others directly at the expo);
• to deliver the complete agenda with signatures at the end of the day of meetings;
• to fill in the online questionnaire at the end of the meetings;
• to return to the fair the following day to visit other companies of interest to them.
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE SIGEP BUYER DELEGATION COMPLETE THE
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BY THE 2nd OCTOBER 2023
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Please note:
- the company representative who will visit SIGEP must be a decision maker;
- the e-mail address must be the direct address of the buyer;
- the activities selected must match the company profile;
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For further information please send an e-mail to italy@italcham.co.za.
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Alla prossima!
Job Opportunities
There are 2 new job vacancies on the SMILE Job Portal:
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You will find where to apply on the above link.
You will find where to apply on the above link.
View this and other job vacancies on the SMILE website via this link - CLICK HERE
If you are currently hiring, please take a look at SMILE vetted candidates HERE
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