Skip to content

Education & Content

Powering your

professional development

Enhance your business skills with our series of masterclasses, featuring a diverse range of trade experts, financial institutes, and successful entrepreneurs from the trade and township economy sector. Our masterclasses offer a unique blend of in-depth industry knowledge, development, and learning opportunities that will help you thrive in the new normal.

 

By attending our masterclasses, you’ll stay up-to-date with the latest trends and key issues affecting the sector. You’ll also discover the latest innovations, creative ideas, and insights that can drive your business and help your local township community flourish. Join us to gain the tools you need to succeed in today’s ever-evolving economy.

Key themes to be discussed this year include:

 
  • Rebuilding Gauteng economies and further integration of the township economy – capacity building discussion with GEP, SEDA and SEFA

  • SMME access to finance – how to mobilise funding
  • How can technology drive recovery – social commerce, blockchain technology, third party, trust certification and verification
  • Women in Trade – strategies and opportunities
  • Capacity building – practical steps on how to re-establish your business 
  • Cross border region briefing – How to unpack market opportunities

EVENT AT A GLANCE

SUN – 18 JUNE 2023

Feature
Audience

EXPO

ALL

INDOOR

OFFICIAL OPENING OF EXPO

FOYER BETWEEN HALLS 2 & 3

SAITEX
WORKSHOP CONTENT

ALL

WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR

MEETING AREA

JCCI/CECOSA HAIRCARE & COSMETICS DEMOS

PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS AND COUNTRY SHOWCASES

EXPO FLOOR

Networking cocktail function

ALL

EXPO FLOOR

CO-LOCATED EVENT

MON – 19 JUNE 2023

Feature
Audience

EXPO

ALL

INDOOR

TOWNSHIP ECONOMY & SMME WORKSHOP CONTENT

ALL

WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR

B2B MATCHMAKING (LIVE)

MEETING AREA

JCCI/CECOSA HAIRCARE & COSMETICS DEMOS

PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS AND COUNTRY SHOWCASES

EXPO FLOOR

CO-LOCATED EVENT

Boss Lady in Business conference

Separate registration required

CO-LOCATED EVENT

TUES – 20 JUNE 2023

Feature
Audience

EXPO

ALL

INDOOR

ECOMMERCE FORUM WORKSHOP CONTENT

ALL

WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR

B2B MATCHMAKING (LIVE)

MEETING AREA

JCCI/CECOSA HAIRCARE & COSMETICS DEMOS

PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS AND COUNTRY SHOWCASES

EXPO FLOOR

CO-LOCATED EVENT

Boss Lady in Business conference

Separate registration required

CO-LOCATED EVENT

2023 SAITEX WORKSHOP AGENDA

*This is a provisional programme and subject to change

Theme: Job creation for sustainable economic growth

Day 1: Sunday, 18 June 2023

10:00 – 10:30

Registration and networking

10:30 – 11:30

Session 1: Power panel discussion

Empowering women in trade – Strategies and opportunities

According to reports it’s been estimated that 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women and is essential to Africa’s success in navigating trade potential on the continent. Join this engaging discussion curated for women entrepreneurs, business support organisations, investors, and suppliers and gain strategic insights into how to expand new market opportunities by addressing:

 

  • Role of women in AfCFTA
  • Training initiatives and empowerment
  • Creating new opportunities and partnerships
  • Leveraging new projects
  • Integrating donor organsations – what does this mean for women in trade?

Moderator:

Sindiswa Mzamo, President, Circle of Global Business Women

 

Panelists:

Anna Reyneke, Country Representative, Swiss Import Promotion Programme*

Bernadette Zeiler, Chief Executive Officer, Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry*

Liya Cherian, Specialist Programme Implementation (Export Division), SEDA*

Betty Mtewele, Chair, National Women’s Association for Informal Market Traders*

11:30 – 12:30

Session 2: Masterclass

Natural beauty and cosmetics – Starting a cosmetic business Brought to you by the Cosmetics Export Council of South Africa (CECOSA)

Find out how to increase your salon revenue by producing your products. Join this engaging workshop curated for entrepreneurs to gain tangible insights on how to start a cosmetic business and discover strategies to build a product line that makes sense for your customers.

 

  • Business development – scaling a cosmetic business
  • Formulations, contract manufacturing, white label manufacturing
  • Product development – compliance and contract manufacturing
  • Tapping into new trends and markets
  • Developing brand identify
  • Developing new partnerships and staying connected
  • Tips on how to build licensing relationships with manufacturers
  • Marketing – navigating the SA and African cosmetic market
  • Funding

Moderator:

Daniel Motshwane, Chairman, Cosmetics Export Council of South Africa (CECOSA)

 

Panelists:

Mariette van Rooyen, Export Council Manager, Cosmetics Export Council of South Africa (CECOSA)

Dr. Hajo Moralane, Founder, Hafro Hair Products

Vivian Shiburi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VIP Cosmetic Laboratories

Dr. Rene Cloete, Managing Director, DRA Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Tam de Vries, Health Practitioner, Euphrates Cosmetics

12:30 – 13:30

Session 3: Fireside chat

B2B marketplace – Growing your business

Join this session and gain insights into the latest omnichannel trends and insights on how to expand new market opportunities and grow your business. 

 

  • Data per category
  • Statistics on shelf space (online vs. instore)
  • What products sell
  • Latest trends
  • B2B solution interface
  • Stokvel relationships

Speaker:

Relin Sookoo, Business Development Manager, Makro Marketplace*

13:30 – 14:30

Session 4: Fireside chat

Inspirational entrepreneurs sharing their success stories and journeys on what’s next?

Join leading entrepreneurs share their views, successes and failures from hindsight to insight into how to scale up to the next level.

Moderator:
Andrea Zlotnick,
Chapter Manager, Entrepreneurs Organisation*

Speakers:

Katlego Maphai, Co-Founder and CEO, Yoco *

Lekau Sehoana, Chief Executive Officer, DRIP Footwear*

Samantha Skyring, Chief Executive Officer, Oryx Desert Salt *

Eran Singh, Head: Trade Solutions, Bidvest Bank*

14:30 – 15:30

Session 5:

Innovative Products Awards presentations

Speakers:

Katlego Maphai, Co-Founder and CEO, Yoco *

Lekau Sehoana, Chief Executive Officer, DRIP Footwear*

Samantha Skyring, Chief Executive Officer, Oryx Desert Salt *

Day 2: Monday, 19 June 2023

Sub-theme: eKasi Talks

10:00 – 10:30

Registration and networking

10:30 – 10:45

Session 1: Opening keynote session

Rebuilding Gauteng economies and further integration of the township economy

A representative from the Gauteng Premier’s office to do a welcome session, report back on the effect of legislation one year on, and what plans are in place to enhance support going forward.

  • Update on the Township Economic Development Bill – how has this legislation affected business
  • ‘Growing Gauteng together 2030’ – update on funding initiatives and what has been achieved

 

10:45 – 11:45

Session 2: Panel discussion

Lessons learned – What has been done to boost Gauteng’s township businesses

Join this discussion and hear from government and business how the Township Economic Development Bill is promoting and developing the township economy making it easier, cheaper, and faster to do business

 

11:45 – 12:45

Session 3: Collaborative panel discussion

Capacity building discussion with SEDA, SEFA, and GEP

Hear about the resources available to you right now to grow your business. Join a discussion with non-governmental experts and gain insights into what business support you can access and how you go about doing so.

  • Capacity building – What strategies exist to aid you in your business
  • Enterprise development – What resources are available
  • Sustainability – Embracing ESG and the road forward
  • Route to market – Tips on how to get market ready

 

Panelists:

Saki Zamxaka, Chief Executive Officer, Gauteng Economic Propeller (GEP)*

Mxolisi Matshamba, Chief Executive Officer, Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA)*

Nkosikhona Mbatha, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)*

12:45 – 13:45

Session 4: Panel discussion

Cross border region briefing – How to unpack market opportunities

Join this dialogue with leading trade experts and gain practical insights into navigating export markets and prepare your business to take advantage of new opportunities open to you  by uncovering:

 

  • What is EAC doing
  • What is SACU doing
  • Unpacking market challenges
  • Where are the market opportunities?
  • Is green hydrogen Southern Africa’s crypto?
  • How has trade finance grown since the implementation of the AfCTA

Moderator:

Dr. Theresa Onaji-Benson, Gordon Institute of Business Science*

 

Panelists:

Francois Fouche, Research Associate, Gordon Institute of Business

Phillip Myburgh, Executive Head, Trade & Africa China Business & Commercial Clients, Standard Bank*

Rose Ronah, Director, Trade Policy, KenTrade, Kenya*

Francois van Schalkwyk, Investment and New Ventures, Namibia Investment Promotion & Development Board *

13:45 – 14:35

Session 5: Fireside chat

Access to finance – The do’s and don’ts

Access to finance – The do’s and don’ts

Join this session and gain firsthand insights on:

 

  • Creating partnerships for financial health
  • Payment solutions – how to make it easier for your customers to pay you
  • Business financing options – how do you access capital to expand?

Day 3: Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Workshops supported by e-Commerce Forum Africa

10:00 – 10:30

Registration and networking

With the rise in e-Commerce, especially during COVID, it is now more crucial than ever before for you to implement strategies to protect your business. Join our workshops and gain practical advice from experts on how you can incorporate digital/social media into your business plan.

Moderator:

Lauretta Ngakane, Head of Communications, Ecommerce Forum Africa

10:30 – 11:30

Session 1:

Benefits of 3rd party and how this works in e-commerce

11:30 – 12:30

Session 2:

How blockchain technology is impacting the future of e-commerce

12:30 – 13:30

Session 3:

Exploring the pros and cons of social commerce

13:30 – 14:30

Session 4:

Trust certification and verification – what this means for your business

This is a provisional programme and subject to change

*Speakers have been invited*