South Africa

Adrian Gore’s message about South Africa to the world

Adrian Gore

Discovery CEO Adrian Gore said they would tell the world that South Africa is a very different place than before and that it is open for business.

Gore formed part of a unified government and business delegation which will attend and speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Other team members include Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, Nedbank CEO Jason Quinn, FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi, and Standard Bank chair Nonkululeko Nyembezi.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank.

It is best known for its annual meeting in Davos, which brings together investors, business leaders, political leaders, economists, celebrities, and journalists.

This year’s event takes place from 20 to 24 January and convenes under the title, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”.

Davos 2025 will host 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 350 governmental leaders and 60 heads of state.

The South African delegation, including Gore, will use this opportunity to promote South Africa among this influential group.

“The country is in a very different place with the government of national unity and hosting the G20,” Gore said.

He explained that the partnership between the government and business is a unique construct that is getting incredible traction.

He used the example of Eskom, which has surprised all critics by overcoming its generation challenges and ending load-shedding.

“It is important for us to make it clear to the world, specifically at Davos, that South Africa is open for business,” he said.

The message will be that South Africa is working through its issues and that the country is on an economic growth path.

He said investors often see South Africa as a beautiful country with great potential but viewed as on the decline.

The delegation will work to change that perception and tell investors that South Africa is now poised for growth.

“There is a powerful feeling among ministers and business leaders about where we are. We are going to Davos in a unified way with a strong message,” he said.

He said the narrative about South Africa is always worse than the reality. The delegation will try to change that. “Narrative drives investment, hope, and optimism,” he said.

He said Davos is only one of the touch points they will use to get their message across. However, it is an important one.

It is attended by the world’s leading business and government leaders, making it a powerful platform to engage with a global audience.

He said if they can spread the message of economic growth and higher employment and change the narrative, it can work wonders to get the wheels turning.

“Outside investors will give us space when they see people in the country believe in the direction we are heading,” he said.

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