Toby Chance on Soweto Festival Expo
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Speech by Toby Chance, Managing Director, Adele Lucas Promotions on the opening of the Soweto Festival Expo 2011, Joburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, 23rd September 2011
This occasion marks a milestone in the evolution of Soweto’s largest annual event, the Soweto Festival Expo. Now in its seventh year, for the first time the Festival Expo has moved from its traditional home in the township to this magnificent purpose built and newly renovated venue, Joburg Expo Centre.
People have asked, why move to Nasrec? The answer is simple: our event has grown up and is emerging onto the national stage, making an appropriate venue a must have.
In 2005 we staged the first Absa Soweto Festival in the dusty Elkah Stadium in Rockville. We moved it to Walter Sisulu Square for the next two years and then to the UJ campus on Chris Hani Road. Each of these venues served their purpose, but ultimately could not accommodate our event as it gathered the support of a growing number of exhibitors, sponsors and visitors.
Last year the Springboks played the All Blacks next door at FNB Stadium and the papers said “All Blacks coming to Soweto!” Well in my book, that means the Soweto Festival Expo is staying in Soweto by coming to Nasrec!
Soweto represents more than just a geographical boundary. It represents an ethos, a heritage, a spirit and a most importantly a people. We could take the Soweto Festival Expo to New York and it would retain its essential character.
The Soweto brand, if I might call it that, is enduring and powerful, but it is also changing. Like our event, it is emerging from its troubled past and presenting a new, progressive face, one that accepts modernity, development and the challenges associated with moving into a new space. Greater demands are placed upon us, as we face up to the expectations of a bigger world and a larger audience.
As the organisers of the Soweto Festival Expo, Adele Lucas Promotions readily accepts these challenges. Founded over 30 years ago by Adele Lucas, who sadly departed this world last year, the company has willingly adopted the new agenda for South African business by embracing the empowerment imperative. It is relevant in your presence, Deputy Minister, to mention that we are a Level 1 company in terms of the BBBEE scorecard. Not many companies can make that claim.
I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to you, Deputy Minister, as well as the representative from the City of Johannesburg, MMC for Economic Development, Mr Sello Lemao, to support us in our quest to further develop the people and economy of Soweto through this event.
As you will see on touring the venue, around 400 small businesses are exhibiting, thanks to the Wholesale and Retail Seta, from whom you will hear more later. In addition, hundreds of performers, suppliers and service providers have been employed on the event, making it a significant contributor to the local economy.
With the support of government and an increased commitment from the private sector, the Soweto Festival Expo has the potential to grow into an event of international stature, taking Soweto’s brand into a new dimension and with it the people of Soweto.
This is my vision for the Soweto Festival Expo – to act as a magnet for tourism, economic emancipation, creativity, community development and enterprise, carrying the spirit of Soweto beyond its history and beyond its borders into an exciting and prosperous future.
I would like to thank all our sponsors, exhibitors and suppliers, our partners the Greater Soweto Business Forum, and particularly the staff at Adele Lucas Promotions for their magnificent effort in bringing this event to fruition. Let me wish you a weekend filled with fun, inspiration and energy, all infused with the indomitable spirit of Soweto.
Thank you.
