The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa to be held in the middle of September will include the inaugural Women in Organic & Natural Products Imbizo. Themed “Organic & Natural Growth Opportunities Africa 2023”, the event takes place at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
Spokesperson Catherine Larkin explains “the Women’s Imbizo seeks to share business opportunities for women in this sector, while recognising and celebrating the significant contributions women have made.
“The event will provide a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and inspiring discussions, while encouraging collaboration and fostering a supportive community for women in a niche industry that offers huge growth potential.”
Programme Highlights
Highlights of the Imbizo’s draft programme include:
- Unveiling regional, global and African market trends: exploring the organic and natural sector
- Business opportunities for women in organics and natural products
- Empowered voices: invited speakers share experiences, lessons learned, and triumphs over struggles
- Funding for SMMes
- Fostering lasting connections: Case studies, followed by a structured match-making and networking session
- Award presentations of the Female Fresh Produce Farmer of the Year
Speakers
Confirmed participants include:
- Lorraine Jenks – Founder of Hotelstuff/Greenstuff
- Heidene Lawrence – Founder: Tubby’s Kitchen
- Jane Mackenzie – Founder and CEO: 365 Healthy By Choice
- Nobantu Mqulwana – Founder of Rising Tide Advisory Services
- Rethabile Maimane – Founder of Golden Goose
- Vicky Manaka – Export Promotion Officer: Limpopo Economic Development Agency
- Peterson Molukanelo – General Manager, Trade and Investment: Free State Development Corp.
- Thina Nodada – Chief Executive Officer: Waymaker Trade Solutions
- Janine Ryan – Editor: Farmer’s Weekly
- Pumzo Tshikitshwa – Export Marketing & Investment Assistance (EMIA), Individual Exhibitions (IE), Industrial Financing Division (IFD) and Dept of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC)
The facilitator is Thina Nodada of Waymaker Trade Solutions.
“By providing a platform for women to share their experiences, exchange knowledge, and inspire one another, we aim to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future,” explains Larkin. “We believe that the Imbizo will be a catalyst for positive change, amplifying the voices of women and empowering them to play an even greater role in shaping the future of our industry.”
Book Here
The imbizo takes place on 16 September (the expo itself runs over three days from 14 to16 September. Registration for the imbizo is now open. Registration for the expo costs R50. There is no additional cost to attend the Women’s Imbizo in Organic and Natural Products, but seats are limited and pre-registration is essential. Book now at https://www.organicandnaturalportal.com/womens-imbizo/