On 24 October an event was held at SUD restaurant in Vilakazi Street to mark the Soweto Chapter (SOBEC) of the Township Events Business Council SA (TEBCO-SA) coming on board as the 14th industry association member of the South African Events Council (SAEC).
SAEC is comprised of more than 2 000 companies and over 50 000 professionals across the events sector. It provides a platform for engagement with various government departments and related industry bodies. Its representation encompasses the broader events industry from conferencing, exhibitions and suppliers, as well as venues, organisers, performers and promoters.
SOBEC was born from the need to address the unique challenges faced by South Africa’s township business events industry.
SOBEC was born from the need to address the unique challenges faced by South Africa’s township business events industry. It aims to bring about transformation and develop the industry by providing the resources needed to promote values and standards, and according to an official press statement from the SAEC, “broaden the industry knowledge base and provide professional development opportunities.”
Leading the charge, SOBEC executive director, Bheki “Ma Events” Twala, introduced members of the SAEC to local businessowners and event managers. This was followed by a Q&A session around safety protocols and destination readiness.
“Bheki is a force of nature and is doing a fantastic job of rallying members of the Soweto event managers and venues together.”
“Bheki is a force of nature and is doing a fantastic job of rallying members of the Soweto event managers and venues together… Our industry has been hit hard and it has been a long and tough road lobbying to get our sector re-opened. Government has put their trust in us to play by the rules and we are pleased that the industry has joined our workshop in Vilakazi Street, recognizing the importance of abiding by these protocols as set out by the Event Safety Council. It is critical for our industry to ensure the safety of our clients, so that trust and confidence may return in order for us to start trading again, generating much-needed income across our supply chain,” commented SAEC chairperson, Tes Proos.
