Business community launches South Africa Day
A group of South Africans, led by Chris Hart and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, has joined forces to launch South Africa Day.
According to Hart, South Africa Day will be celebrated every year ,on the second Saturday in November.
It will be a flagship project of the CPG National Business Council, led by Hart as chairman.
Makgoba will serve as the chairman and president of South Africa Day, and also as chairman of the South Africa Bursary Fund.
The launch event was attended by business captains of industry.
“This event heralds yet another beautiful chapter in the history of South Africa, that will take the country forward,” said Hart.
“South Africa Day will focus on making a contribution to the country and putting South Africa first, creation of social cohesion, celebrating the country, its people and achievements and taking pride as a people and country.”
Hart added that he was looking to corporate South Africa to drive and support South Africa Day, and for each company to contribute its share to the initiative.
“We cannot afford to have exclusivity in terms of who can or cannot support South Africa Day, this is supposed to be a joint or collaborative initiative,” he explained.
“We need to also place emphasis on the importance and the advantage of being a good corporate citizen.”
He cited an incident in the US, during one of the riots that took place in that country in the recent past.
“The rioters damaged and looted the businesses that stood in their path, however, there was one business that was spared and protected by that community, because of that business’s involvement and work within that community.”
Makgoba urged the business community to support the South Africa Day Bursary Fund, that will raise funds to support deserving students and learners.
He said he is where he is today because of opportunities that were created for him by others.
Hart said South Africans are encouraged to make suggestions about what they would like to see happening as part of South Africa Day.
They can do so by emailing their suggestions to contact@southafricaday.org.za.
The South Africa Day website can be visited at www.southafricaday.org.za.
