On the afternoon of Thursday the 21st of July 2011, the World Trade Center African Initiative took another large stride towards its goal of building relationships in the sub-Saharan region of the continent and thus increasing trade and prosperity for the people of Africa.

After intense preparation, the World Trade Center Cape Town team stood proudly along the red carpet to receive the Honourable Minister Jean-Marie Bulambo Kilosho, the Minister of Economic Development for the Democratic Republic of Congo. A delegation consisting of Miss Isabelle Maneno (Head of Minister’s Mission), Mr. Bavon Kakisingi (Judicial Councilor), Mr. Darius Sumuni (The Minister’s Parsec) and several others accompanied this prestigious governmental figure.

The occasion commenced in the WTC Cape Town boardroom with representatives from both parties sitting alongside the grand boardroom table.  Mr. Theo Poggenpoel Vice President African Relations for World Trade Center Cape Town led proceedings, starting with greetings and introductions. Mrs. Vanessa du Plessis read a letter in French, to the Honourable Minister, from World Trade Center

Cape Town and African Initiative President, Mr. Julius Steyn. This welcomed the delegation and expressed Mr. Steyn’s sincere wishes to sit with the Minister in the very near future. Mrs. Julia Steyn, Mochron Investments CFO also welcomed the group in her husband’s absence, a gesture warmly received by the visiting party.

After all pleasantries were exchanged, the Minister took the opportunity to express his views on the World Trade Center African Initiative, the DRC and our future together. He extended a hand of friendship and cooperation towards the WTC and its initiative. The desire for World Trade Center African Initiative to engage in large-scale business opportunities within his country was expressed, including the sectors of natural resources consisting of copper, gold, uranium, zinc, cobalt and others.

The DRC is the single wealthiest country in the world with regards to natural resources with only the Amazon boasting a larger area of forestry. With the country’s natural assets valued at $24 trillion, a partnership is beyond beneficial it is essential.

The minister went on to communicate his view that WTC African Initiative are establishing trade zones on the continent for African countries to perform trade freely, an enterprise that is vital for the empowerment of Africa. He stated that like an army preparing for war, covering themselves in armour, we must equip ourselves for business together. A second meeting is required, he went on to say, to further discuss the next steps of business. He expressed his intentions to sit with the government of the DRC, the following day, to give them a full and positive report on his experience with the World Trade Center African Initiative team. His report will motivate the need to solidify their relationship with the WTC African Initiative through a fully functioning collaboration.

Mr. Sven Boermeester, head of GVPedia.com and Director of Media Africa at World Trade Center Cape Town, then showcased his ‘Best Of’ series and expressed his intention to have the DRC version completed shortly. This was enthusiastically received and the Honourable Minister advised Mr. Boormeester to make contact with the Department of Environmental Affairs in the DRC and to visit the country where he will be able to gather content far more effectively by experiencing it first hand. He encouraged the implementation of the publication to be finalized as soon as is possible.

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, the Honourable Minister stated that the formal invitation for a second meeting, in the DRC, would be extended before his delegation’s departure from South Africa. He expressly stated his anticipation to meet with Mr. Julius Steyn and that his written message had gone straight to his heart. He thanked the WTC staff for the warm reception and was most impressed with all arrangements.

A quick tour of the WTC Cape Town’s facilities completed the delegation’s visit, complete with a viewing of the architectural designs for Gaborone, personally introduced by its designer and President of World Trade Center Lusaka, Mr. Sergio Muchengwa. The Minister’s final words were a reiteration of his intent to back the coalition of the DRC government with the WTC African Initiative. This proved to be an amazingly successful visit and a testament to the hard working WTC Cape Town staff as well as the vision of its seniors.

Little-known Namibia, one of Africa’s most sparsely populated nations, is also one of the continent’s most stable. In late March 2010, Namibia’s ambassador, Patrick Nandago, held a reception in Washington to celebrate “20 years of independence, freedom, democracy and the rule of law in our beautiful country.”

Several hundred people gathered at the Omni Shoreham to help Nandago mark the occasion – singing both “Namibia, Land of the Brave” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” as colour photos depicting the country’s flora and fauna flashed on large screens.

Among the guests Nandago singled out for special recognition were Susan Page, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs at the time, and Chester Crocker, who served as U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 1981 to 1989.

“In the heat of the armed liberation struggle in Namibia, and the civil war in Angola,” said the ambassador, “Dr Crocker was the man who developed the strategy that produced the treaties signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa which culminated in the ceasefire between South Africa’s UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) rebels and SWAPO (the South- West Africa People’s Organisation), leading to the first democratic elections in Namibia.”

South Africa’s former colony finally obtained independence on March 21st 1990, after 106 years of foreign occupation.

“Since then, Namibia has held free, fair and peaceful elections every five years, with the most recent one held in November 2009,” he said. “Over the years, we have witnessed successful transfers of power, and our country is known to be one of the most democratic on the African continent. Our economic and political stability makes it an attractive location for investors.”

Turning the evening into a sales pitch for his country, Nandago explained that the four pillars of Namibia’s economy are agriculture, mining, fishing and tourism. With only just over two-million people in a country whose land covers 825,418 sq km, Namibia should be quite wealthy. And in fact, its exports of diamonds, uranium, copper, gold and zinc are legendary.

“Namibia is faced with many challenges, including the availability of portable water, access to quality healthcare, housing and education, and the challenges of unemployment, HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,” said Nandago. “Namibia did not escape the brunt of climate change, and for the last four years, the country has witnessed severe drought and devastating floods”.

Nor, he said, did the global economic crisis spare Namibia. “But we remain hopeful that things will turn around.”

As part of its strategy, the government has set up the Namibia Investment Centre and has signed agreements with neighbouring Botswana and Zimbabwe to acquire dry-port facilities in Walvis Bay, Namibia’s deep-water port on the Atlantic Ocean. Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are negotiating for similar arrangements.

Page, speaking on behalf of her superior Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said Namibia had a lot to celebrate on its 20th anniversary.

“Since its separation from apartheid South Africa in 1990, Namibia has pursued a path of democracy and free-market economy. It has distinguished itself from other African states by having held 10 national, regional and local elections,” she said, noting that Namibia is one of the 15 “focus countries” under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). That entitles it to more than US$100-million annually to help Namibia “mitigate the suffering of HIV-AIDS patients.”

In September 2009, the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corp. signed a US$304.5-million compact with Namibia aimed,

among other things, at boosting the quality of education and rectifying the country’s unequal distribution of income.

“Now that President Hifkepunye Pohamba has been sworn in for a second term, we hope he will continue to take a strong stand against corruption and genderbased violence,” Page told the assembled guests. “The United States is seeking to build mutual trust in addressing the many challenges Namibia faces, including the fight against HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis, and the need to create jobs and reduce poverty.”