Now in its second decade of existence, Indaba has become one of the mining world’s must-do conferences, attracting professionals from the world’s top resources jurisdictions – and, most importantly, getting the attention of the banking, investment and political leadership communities.
It has been estimated that in some years – particularly those heady days before the GFC of 2008-09 – Australian-linked companies and people accounted for a staggering 40% of the registration.
The 2014 conference, on February 3-6 at the sprawling Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), is likely to attract just a little more than 10% of the enrolment by Australians at the event, which is expected to host about 7800 delegates.
One of several keynote presenters will be Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, who will speak on the third day about “creating win-win mining scenarios”
In his 40-minute presentation slot, Barnett is expected share some thoughts on the Australian mining and investment model, as well as how “governments can capitalise on the resources of the country while simultaneously promoting ongoing investment into the sector with conviction and credibility”
As a one-time resources minister, Barnett is an enthusiastic supporter of Australia’s mining industry – and there would be few Australian politicians more qualified to speak on the subject he has chosen.
Indaba organisers are expecting representation – either official or commercial – from 45 of Africa’s 53 nations, many of which would do well to heed the words expected to come from Barnett.
Unlike Kalgoorlie’s Diggers and Dealers Forum, which prides itself as being a “poli-free” event, Indaba is always awash with politicians – and access to them is somewhat easier, given all the social events, breakfasts and dinners. It is far easier, for example, to get to the Burkinabe Mines Minister in Cape Town than it is in Burkina Faso’s capital city, Ougadougou.
Australian heads of diplomatic missions in Africa have made Indaba one of the events to gather at, under the wings of Austrade and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Their “Australia Lounge” at CTICC has become a popular meeting place.
The Australia Lounge has become a favourite networking spot and last year, about 55 Australian companies used it to host appointments. The lounge is managed by Austrade staff drawn from the destinations they work in across the entire sub-Saharan part of the continent.
The Canadians, also strongly represented at Indaba, have a similar meeting place arrangement for their countrymen and women.
One Aussie delegate at a past Indaba was heard to mention that he had “an expert eye” to immediately identify Canadian nationals. When quizzed about his alleged gift, he simply replied: “It’s in the eyes, mate, it’s in the eyes. All the Canadians are bleary-eyed!”
Obviously a reference to the jet lag the Canadians suffer in their long-distance, east-to-west travel from the freezing climes of North America to the sunny shores of Cape Town.
After Canadians and Australians, Britons probably make up the next largest contingent of non-African representation. Like the Canadians, the Brits love the defrosting effect Cape Town offers, both physically and mentally.
Capetonians in particular love Indaba. For one heady week, the city is besieged by free-spending men and women bearing that wonderful commodity called foreign currency – which is rigidly controlled in South Africa.
At the time of writing this African Angle, one Australian dollar could buy just less than 10 South African rand, an encouraging incentive for non-Africans to do some retail therapy in a destination where goods and services appear to be relatively cheap.
Indaba organisers have estimated that Indaba delegates had, between 2006 and 2013, pumped nearly R500 million into the Western Cape economy, creating nearly 4000 casual and permanent jobs along the way.
Much is always said and written about crime and violence in South Africa and invariably, most of it is true. There is no getting away from the statistics showing that South Africa leads the way on that front.
But there are simple guidelines to avoid becoming a statistic. The most important guideline is to listen to local advice – ask your hotel receptionists or managers where to go, what areas to avoid, which taxis to use and how best to keep your personal belongings safe and secure.
