National Business Initiative

Alliance for Climate Action Countdown Event
2020-11-18 14:00 - 15:30 (Africa/Johannesburg)
The Mayor of Johannesburg speaks about the need for partnerships and innovation for a net-zero economy for South Africa by 2050: A TEDxACASouthAfrica Countdown Event
The Alliance for Climate Action South Africa is participating in the global Countdown Initiative created by TEDx in partnership with Future Stewards. Countdown aims to mobilise millions around the world to meet the goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and working towards climate resilient pathways, mitigation strategies and adaptation opportunities in the race to a net zero-carbon world by 2050. Our event will highlight discussions and actions taking place in our developing country context as part of the global Countdown Initiative.
The content of this online engagement is as follows:

The Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Makhubo, will set the scene on the city’s specific developmental challenges and share its experiences as well as its climate response;
A panel of city and business professionals will unpack the potential for South African partnerships and innovations in response to the climate crisis and to highlight ideas, solutions and actions that could be taken by cities and companies who have made the commitment to a net zero economy for South Africa by 2050; and
In order to understand global best practice on smart, resilient and climate neutral cities in the local context, a thought-provoking Countdown video will be screened for discussion.

We invite you to join this online session to find out why climate action must be taken urgently by all sectors of society, to hear what South African cities and businesses are doing to honour their climate commitments, and, most importantly, to find out how your organisation can help build a better future for our country.
To learn more about the Countdown and the ACA please click here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Gauteng Water Alliance 2020 Meeting
2020-11-13 10:00 - 13:00
As evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, adequate risk preparedness is critical for economic development, including in the South African water sector. Based on growing urban water demand and delays in water augmentation, the Gauteng province runs the risk of significant water restrictions in the near future, including running out of water to meet demand. This risk could be disastrous for the country, given the critical importance of Gauteng for the national economy.
The work of the National Business Initiative (NBI), alongside its partners and members in the uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership, Western Cape Drought Task Force and recent Gauteng COVID-19 Water Response, demonstrate that effective public-private sector collaboration does make a difference in risk mitigation and crisis aversion.
Please join us for the upcoming engagement of the Gauteng Water Alliance, which will focus on:

Understanding the current state and vulnerabilities of the Vaal System
Providing an update on work undertaken within the Alliance to date, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Outlining the findings of research conducted on industry water risk mitigation in the Province, as well as additional measures companies would like to implement
Providing an overview of some of the financing options available for industrial water efficiency

This meeting of the Alliance will have an industrial and company focus.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Insights into the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) by Cas Coovadia
2020-11-12 10:00 - 12:00
We are pleased to invite you to join Cas Coovadia, National Business Initiative’s (NBI) Chairperson and Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) CEO, on Thursday the 12th of November at 10:00 to learn about and get insight into the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) that has been put forward by Business for South Africa (B4SA); within the context of the announcement by President Ramaphosa of the South African Recovery and Reconstruction Plan.
Cas will give an overview on how the plan intends to save existing jobs and accelerate creation of new jobs, including economic growth, country competitiveness and a sustainable effective state.
He will also focus on the role of business, and how, together with leaders of Government, organised communities and labour will harmonise and fast-track the implementation of the common areas of intervention of the ERP and the Jobs Summit in 2018, leading to an accelerated and inclusive economic recovery in South Africa.
The dialogue will be hosted by Joanne Yawitch, NBI CEO.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Consultation on the City of Johannesburg’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) with Business Stakeholders and the Alliance for Climate Action South Africa
2020-11-11 14:00 - 16:00
The City of Johannesburg has committed to a green economy transition as indicated in their growth and development strategy for 2040 and beyond. Outcome 2 in particular states that “The City plans to lead in the establishment of sustainable, eco-efficient infrastructure solutions and to create a landscape that is liveable, resilient, sustainable and supports low carbon initiatives”. The City has made a net zero by 2050 commitment through the C40 Cities Network where it has reinforced its plan to show it will adapt and improve its resilience to climate hazards. With this commitment in place, the City is in the process of developing their Climate Action Plan and with the support of the Alliance for Climate Action of which C40, WWF and NBI are partners.
Developing an ambitious CAP is a vital step for cities to respond to the climate crisis and engage with stakeholders in making informed decisions. It does this through enabling cities to identify and respond to socio-economic challenges while managing their climate risks such as GHG emissions and addressing their adaptation needs.
The City has engaged internally with other city stakeholders as well as stakeholders from civil society and is now ready to share their CAP priority actions with business for further feedback. Please join us for a workshop with the City of Joburg, convened by the Alliance for Climate Action, where the City will share the preliminary CAP with business stakeholders and start exploring opportunities for collaboration for implementation of the plan. The online workshop will take place on Wednesday 11 November 14:00 – 16:00 via MS Teams. This work is a collective initiative of the Alliance for Climate Action (C40, NBI and WWF) to assist in connecting cities and businesses to find opportunities with CAP implementation.
Kindly click Accept should you wish to attend this session.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue: Gender-Based Violence – How Leadership Can Make a Difference
2020-11-05 10:00 - 11:30
The global COVID-19 pandemic has not only compounded the effects of existing gender inequalities but also increased instances of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Many countries enforced lockdown protocols to curb the spread of the virus, with community-based and civil society organisations endeavouring to ensure continued support and services to survivors and victims of GBV, in the face of escalating reports of violence within homes.
During these uncertain times of working within a ‘new normal’, this National Business Initiative (NBI) CEO Thought Leadership Dialogue webinar will reflect on the various responses of organisations to GBV during the COVID-19 period. The objective is to share knowledge and best practice in co-creating solutions and exploring practical responses/interventions.
The NBI is hosting the CEO Dialogue Series as an important virtual engagement for business leaders to explore both the challenges and opportunities which are central to an economic recovery from COVID-19.
We are proud to invite you to attend the first CEO Dialogue scheduled for the 5th of November 2020.
Purpose:
The purpose of this discussion is to draw on experiences from different sectors around the concept of leadership in the private sector, translating commitments into tangible organisational aspects of behaviour within institutions. This executive discussion will focus on GBV and how leadership can make a significant difference through key practical responses.
Thought Leader:
Mr Graham O’Connor | Spar Group, CEO
Moderated by:
Ms Vumile Msweli |Hesed Consulting

On behalf of the National Business Initiative, we would like to invite you to join our virtual event in discussing Gender Based Violence – How Leadership can make a difference (Exploring Practical Responses). Please forward this invite to other relevant people within your organisation.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Business Leadership for a Sustainable Future: WBCSD Vision 2050 Refresh Webinar
2020-11-04 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), as the local network partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), is excited to invite you to attend an update from the WBCSD on the refresh of Vision 2050.
Vision 2050 was a landmark report issued a decade ago, focused on opportunities for business to help unlock the transformations required to allow over 9 billion people to live well, within the boundaries of the planet, by mid-century. Vision 2050 is a blueprint of the unprecedented opportunities available to businesses who understand that we can no longer operate in business-as-usual mode.
The core principles of Vision 2050 are the key attributes of successful business planning, which include understanding the current situation, identifying the obstacles to success, and creating pathways to overcome those obstacles. These key tenets are more necessary than ever under the current operating context of COVID-19.
At the beginning of 2020, with over three dozen leading companies, the WBCSD launched a collective, business-led effort to revisit its Vision 2050. The NBI and member companies participated in a key engagement workshop as part of a global roadshow across key geographies including: Africa; Australia; Brazil; China; Europe; India; Japan; Latin America; North America and Southeast Asia. This process was completed by October 2020.
The key findings from this first phase include the necessary social, economic and political shifts required to build back better as we recover from COVID-19, including the new critical elements that have emerged over the past months with the pandemic changing the way we live and work. Importantly, these developments help us to understand and shape the necessary systems transformations and also establish what the role of business needs to be.
The NBI would like to invite you to a feed-back session with the WBCSD to understand the key trends that will most likely shape the business operating environment over the next decade. Participants will also be given insights into the positive, opportunity-based, action agenda needed for the decade to come, in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa – Phase 2 Launch
2020-11-03 10:30 - 12:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) are hosting the Phase 2 Launch of Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa.
This NBI-SANBI collaboration is designed to help identify areas of vulnerability, areas where our companies are working on adaptation projects already and where, through collaboration, we can scale up these projects to enhance impact and to attract climate finance; providing an opportunity for the private sector to define the role that business can play in South Africa’s GCF projects.
Phase 2 of this SANBI-NBI partnership aims to identify specific projects that can contribute towards a national pipeline of adaptation, biodiversity and ecosystem-based adaptation actions to alleviate the acute shortage of adaption projects locally; and to attract up to US$50 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Phase 1 convened business in a series of rich capacity building sessions covering the latest information on a range of biodiversity, climate resilience, adaptation finance and ecosystem-based adaptation topics. A recording of each of the four capacity building events is available on the NBI’s YouTube channel and can be accessed here. Phase 3 will shortlist to a few high promise projects with which we can approach the GCF.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI Membership Council Meeting October 2020
2020-10-27 10:00 - 12:30
After a year unlike any other, it is with pleasure that we invite you to a meeting of the NBI Membership Council for key insights into what the 2021 NBI Strategy has in store for you as our members. We are excited to use this opportunity to share with you how the NBI 2021 Strategy (adopted by the Board on 30th of June 2020) has been developed and aligned to meet the requirements of our current context. The NBI strategy considers the COVID-19 operating context, the responses required to drive innovative economic recovery and the courageous steps needed to address the deep structural weaknesses and inequalities that pervade our society. As always, these solutions showcase the appropriate leadership role for the NBI and our members.
To launch our meeting, Mr Andile Sangqu (Executive in Residence at GIBS) will be providing a dose of inspiration as our thought leader – giving key insights into the role of business and why bold and courageous leadership is necessary to steer us through the current crisis.
Our Chairperson, Cas Coovadia will lead the programme and encourage engagement and feedback from you, our valued NBI members, on both the NBI Strategy and your thoughts on the pivotal role of business in society.
Kindly contact Jo-Anne Stanford should you wish to attend this meeting.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

TLS: Organisational Culture Driven by a Values-Based Leadership
2020-10-23 14:00 - 15:30
“VALUES-BASED LEADERS CREATE AND LEAD VALUES-DRIVEN COMPANIES THAT ARE ENERGIZED, EQUIPPED AND ORGANIZED TO ACHIEVE POWERFUL GOALS.’’
Context:
South Africa is growing increasingly impatient with the status quo, as expectations from society that corruption in both the private and public sectors will be dealt with decisively are not met. Ethics, Corporate Governance and Anti-Corruption Initiatives have never been more relevant and needed in South Africa. Organisational cultures that are driven by a Values-based Leadership are fundamental in creating and promoting an ethical business environment.
The National Business Initiative (NBI) published a benchmark study in May 2020, Understanding the Private Sectors’ Approach to Anti-Corruption. Corruption in the private sector is often presented in subtle ways but has corrosive impacts on companies. The multi-divisional structure of corporations, the ways that remuneration and reward are structured and the approaches of middle and senior leadership, often result in constant conflict between, ‘’doing what is right” and “the current way of doing things” in business practice. This dichotomy in behaviour across both informal and formal structures, systems and even networks perpetuates corruption in organisations, through habituation and thus is often integral to the culture of organisations.
Purpose:
The purpose of this Thought Leadership Series (TLS) is to draw on experiences from different sectors around the concept of a Values-Based Leadership and how this translates into tangible organisational aspects of behaviour. Finally the TLS will to examine how the wrong values can manifest into unethical corporate behaviours.
Speakers:

EOH I Stephen Van Coller I CEO
ABSA Group I Masego (Mabyane) Haile Solomon I Head of Ethics
Public Service Commission | Advocate Richard Sizani | Chairperson of the Public Service Commission
Protected by Artificial Intelligence Africa | Macfarlane Moleli | CEO

“CULTURE EATS STRATEGY FOR LUNCH’’
– RICHARD CLARK: CEO, MERCK
On behalf of the Social Transformation Team, we would like to invite you to join our virtual event in discussing Organisational Culture Driven by a Values-Based Leadership. Please forward this invite to other relevant people within your organisation.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

6 Online Workshops in October/November 2020: Developing a Green Finance Taxonomy for South Africa
2020-10-12 09:30 - 2020-11-06 13:00
“Stakeholder engagements to inform the development of a Green Finance Taxonomy for South Africa”
Under the leadership of National Treasury, and with support from IFC (part of the World Bank Group), the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Carbon Trust are working to develop a national Green Finance Taxonomy. This is one of the key recommendations of the Financing a Sustainable Economy draft technical paper, recently published by National Treasury.
Building on complementary initiatives and expertise in the South African market, the first national Taxonomy will be developed iteratively, informed by a series of targeted and focused stakeholder engagements.
We have the pleasure of inviting you to participate in a user-group specific workshops to inform the development of a Green Finance Taxonomy.
The objective of this consultation process is to collect your viewpoints and preferences as representatives of your respective organisations, networks, and communities of practice to inform the design, priorities and development of a first version of a Green Finance Taxonomy for South Africa.
Details of the 6 workshops are as follows:

Workshop 1: (Monday, 12 October 2020) will be focusing on Policy Makers and Government Agencies as a critical user group. Please click here to register for this Zoom event.
Workshop 2: (Friday, 16 October 2020) will be focusing on Financial Market Practitioners as a critical user group. Please click here to register for this Zoom event.
Workshop 3: (Friday, 6 November 2020) will be focusing on Companies and Project Developers as a critical user group. Please click here to register for this Zoom event.
Workshop 4: (Monday, 19 October 2020) will be focusing on the Land-Use, Ecosystems and Biodiversity Sector as a critical user group. Please click here to register for this Zoom event.
Workshop 5: (Tuesday, 13 October 2020) will be focusing on realising cooperation/collaboration opportunities with programmes and policy development activities with which this project could align. Please click here to register for this Zoom event.
Workshop 6: (Wednesday, 21 October 2020) will be focusing on Multilateral Development Institutions as a critical user group. Please note that we have changed the commencement time of this session to 13:30.

For further information on the 6 workshops, kindly contact: Reitumetse Molotsoane.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Online NBI Thought Leadership Series: Nature-Based Solutions for Water Security
2020-10-08 14:00 - 16:00
In late 2019 the National Business Initiative (NBI) conducted research on the ways in which South African businesses think about and support nature-based solutions, based on interviews with a range of companies and financial institutions.
In this work we set out to understand how businesses currently engage with the natural infrastructure that underpins their water security, what would enable further company action, and what data and evidence is needed to encourage internal buy-in.
The results were fascinating and we look forward to sharing and debating the findings with you. The findings will also inform the NBI’s involvement in this field for the next 3 years, so we welcome your further guidance and inputs.
Please join us for an NBI member seminar focused on:

An introduction to nature-based solutions and the concept of ecological infrastructure;
A review of the enablers of corporate action on nature-based solutions;
An overview of current South African company efforts and approaches;
Company responses on key data and evidence needs in this field;
The latest thinking on the financing of ecological infrastructure in South Africa; and
An outline of the NBI’s future work on the Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project.

Speakers:

Steve Nicholls, Head: Environmental Sustainability, NBI
Alex McNamara, Programme Manager: Climate & Water, NBI
Mmaphefo Thwala, Project Manager: Water, NBI

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Understanding the Experiences of LGBTQI+ Employees in the Workplace
2020-09-30 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) recently concluded research on Understanding the Experiences of LGBTQI+ Employees in the Workplace. By understanding the experiences of LGBTQI+ employees, companies are in a better position to formulate transformative policies and create inclusive cultures which recognise inclusion as a human right.
Transformation efforts are multifaceted as they require systemic and behavioural changes. Some of the key findings reflected in the research Report emphasise the complexities of belonging in the workplace. Affirmation and inclusion extend to addressing stereotypes, microaggressions and biases which negatively affect how LGBTQI+ employees are able to navigate and succeed at work.
This discussion intends to unpack key findings from the NBI’s research Report, including understanding the importance of social behaviours and attitudes as well as exploring the transformation interventions needed to prioritise LGBTQI+ employees’ belonging in the workplace.
On behalf of the Social Transformation Team, we would like to invite you to join our online event, discussing The Experiences of LGBTQI+ Employees in the Workplace.
RSVP here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI Online Event: ACA SA - Innovative collaborations to drive our climate-smart economic recovery
2020-08-13 11:30 - 15:00
Countries globally are facing the unprecedented challenge of stimulating their economies in the short-and medium-term in response to COVID-19. For a robust economic recovery, it is crucial that they ensure their economies are competitive and sustainable in the long-term. This event aims to build the capacity of city representatives as well as private sector stakeholders to engage on what a post-COVID green economic recovery could look like for South Africa and to share insight into what different stakeholders are doing in the space.
An increased ratio of debt to GDP along with a stagnant economy and the impact of COVID-19 have exacerbated socio-economic challenges of inequality, poverty, and unemployment in South Africa. This leaves South African business, communities and municipalities struggling. To secure finance for immediate relief stimulus and long-term investment at an affordable price, South Africa must demonstrate that we are working to address various forms of climate risk, such as physical and transition risk. We are poised at a unique moment for South Africa to attract investment and financial relief packages that can stimulate a just transition towards a net zero carbon, socially equal, climate-resilient, thriving and sustainable economy.
We invite you to join the Alliances for Climate Action South Africa (a partnership Initiative convened by C40, NBI and WWF), as well as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), to unpack:

Why a post-COVID economic recovery plan for the country needs to be climate smart to ensure South Africa’s long-term economic wellbeing.
How local governments are thinking about post-COVID economic stimulus.
The work cities are doing to update their Climate Action Plans aligned to net zero emissions targets by 2050.
How the private sector can collaborate at sector level and with local government, through the Alliances for Climate Action South Africa (ACA SA), to unlock low-carbon and climate-resilient opportunities for collaboration and investment.

City and business participants in the ACA SA are standing up for a net carbon neutral economy by 2050, taking their own action to get there, and collaborating to do more than they could alone, in order to unlock opportunities to transition our economy. This is one of several Alliances in countries around the world www.alliancesforclimateaction.org.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI’s SDGs Online Roadshow 2020
2020-08-06 12:00 - 2020-08-07 15:00
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global framework for sustainable development that call for business involvement in their implementation at global, national and local scales.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep interdependencies between business and economic sustainability as well as social and environmental wellbeing. The SDGs are specifically formulated to provide a guideline for how to build, transition and maintain businesses and economies that promote social equality and wellbeing as well as environmental resilience and regeneration. Had the global community progressed further in SDG implementation, COVID-19 would not have resulted in the far reaching and devastating social and economic impacts, that have occurred to date.
Two years ago, the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Danish Industry (DI), held an SDGs roadshow with business stakeholders in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, sharing knowledge and tools to encourage South African companies to incorporate the SDGs into core business. Much has changed since then. The COVID pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis each represent a unique opportunity for business to reflect on the benefits of using the SDGs as a robust framework to analyse risk and opportunity, thereby informing a roadmap for building durable businesses and a resilient society and environment.
This year, the NBI will again team up with DI to hold the SDGs Roadshow 2020 online. This event will take place over 2 engaging online sessions, spread over two days. Each session will be 3 hours long and the overall roadshow aims to build the capacity of participants in order to:

Understand why the SDGs are important in the creation of resilient, thriving, and sustainable societies and economies
Understand the business case for mainstreaming the implementation of the SDGs into your business
Use a selection of tools developed, piloted and proven by both DI and the NBI to integrate the SDGs into your core business

Join us online on the 6th and 7th of August for two engaging sessions designed to help you take your company’s SDGs process to the next level, with key insights provided from experts in the field and case studies presented by other leading companies, who have made significant progress.
We recommend that attendees join both sessions for maximum benefit. Our events team will share calendar invitations for both days to all those who RSVP by clicking the “accept” button below. Attendees will then be free to accept both the calendar invites (one for each session) or to choose whether to join one of the sessions only.
Accept SDGs Online Roadshow.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI Online Event: Energy Management, Crises and Competitiveness
2020-08-05 14:00 - 15:30
Energy efficiency is the basis for competitiveness, long-term resilience and a vital part of a business’ crisis management toolkit. Integrating ambitious energy targets into a business strategy therefore allows leading companies to drive innovation in energy efficiency; achieving significant long-term value and increased reliability by:

Reducing individual utility bills;
Decreasing backup generation needs and up-front capital costs;
Helping to stabilise electricity prices and volatility;
Generating revenue and supporting the grid of the future; and
Decreasing life-cycle costs and increasing value.

You will hear from Woolworths and Sasol, two leading South African companies who are EP100 members, as they reflect on their individual energy productivity journey, commitments to double energy productivity and actions they have taken in support of this goal. They will cover how resilience planning, implementing new energy technology and decreasing energy demand in facilities, have benefitted their business, increased overall resilience, contributed to sustainability targets and minimised vulnerabilities to climate-related impacts. You will also hear from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, speaking on South Africa’s efficiency strategy and programmes landscape and the Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings and Infrastructure Programme.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Online Launch of the NBI Just Transitions Pathways Project
2020-07-28 09:00 - 11:00
Countries globally are facing the unprecedented challenge of stimulating their economies in the short and medium-term in response to COVID-19 and climate change in the long-term. Climate change and its impacts, is a significant threat to South Africa’s economy. It is crucial that we ensure our economy is competitive and sustainable in the long-term. This is especially true for South Africa where it is possible that a key element of any post COVID-19 economic stimulus is green stimulus. Increasingly finance conditionalities require addressing climate risk and economic transition.
It is essential that the South African business community can lead in directing how we should transition our economy to one that, in 2050, is low-carbon and competitive. This requires us making critical decisions now.
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is leading work that will support sectors and companies to develop long-term low-carbon pathways and identify ways to finance and implement them.
The project has 2 key objectives:

Expediting a Green Stimulus strategy as part of South Africa’s COVID-19 response; and
Developing an ambitious, fact-based, and unified business view ahead of COP26 on what a ‘Just Transition’ could look like for South Africa.

Please join leading South African CEOs including Andre de Ruyter of Eskom, Fleetwood Grobler of Sasol, Cas Coovadia of BUSA and Joanne Yawitch of the NBI as we launch the NBI Just Transition Pathways project. We will provide detail on our project and explain opportunities for you and your CEOs to get involved.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI Online Event: Green Recovery: Stimulating Post-COVID Economic Competitiveness in South Africa
2020-07-09 14:00 - 15:30
South Africa is severely exposed to climate risk, which in turn amplifies the effects of other environmental and social challenges, including the current COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we need to embrace and carefully consider transitioning our economy to one that is green, low-carbon, socially inclusive, and more resilient. Doing so will bring its own challenges in terms of ensuring a just transition for all sectors of society. We also face the immediate need of rebuilding the economy post this current COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa’s GDP is expected to contract at least by 4% to 10%, with up to 1 million jobs and 1600 businesses at risk. Rather than adding to Government’s burden, green and sustainable finance offer a way to address South Africa’s social and economic priorities and to create new investment opportunities, attracting local as well as international capital. The time is right to unlock alternative forms of funding and channel these to sustainable projects and sectors that build South Africa’s long-term competitiveness and resilience.
Green Stimulus is the key to fast-tracking job creation, improving liquidity, and to putting South Africa on a path to economic recovery without compromising long-term competitiveness.
It provides four strategic advantages to South Africa:

Access to more funding | Up to $83bn additional funding available
Access to cheaper funding | On average up to 18bps cheaper bonds
Positive job impact | Up to 500k direct jobs unlocked in green investments
Economic prosperity in the long term | Mitigates up to R1.8Tr in transition risks and enhancing competitiveness

Leading nations and lending institutions are already voicing the importance and benefits of a ‘Green Recovery’ – multiple countries have indicated that stimulus packages will be ‘Green’ stimulus packages. If South Africa does not invest in a similar way, we risk trade pressure, limited access to ODA and entrenching structural challenges in our economy, threatening long-term competitiveness.
The primary challenge is defining what projects and sectors qualify as green, sustainable, and inclusive. Internationally, a number of leading initiatives have paved the way, including the European Union Taxonomy on Sustainable Activities, the Climate Bonds Taxonomy, the International Capital Markets Association Green Project Mapping, and the Joint MDB (multilateral development banks) Methodology for Climate Finance Tracking. These offer a sound starting point for South Africa to develop its own Green Taxonomy that both supports policy development and asset level investment. Under the leadership of National Treasury, and with support from IFC (part of the World Bank Group), the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Carbon Trust are working to develop such a taxonomy, building on complementary initiatives and expertise in the South African market.
Join expert speakers from National Treasury, IFC/World Bank, the Climate Bonds Initiative and local financial sector practitioners, to discuss the opportunities and priorities for a green stimulus response to COVID-19, and help inform the development of a South African Green Finance Taxonomy.
RSVP here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Online Event: Core indicators for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
2020-07-03 15:00 - 16:00
Leading companies around the world have taken steps to prioritise the SDGs and incorporate them into their core businesses. The PWC SDGs Challenge 2019 shows that 77% of responding South African companies mention the SDGs in their reporting in one form or another. The challenge is that while there are guidelines on how companies should report on the SDGs, each company tends to develop their own approach based on the data they have available.
South Africa, along with other UN member states, is encouraged to regularly submit their Voluntary National Review on the country’s progress and contribution towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, the lack of SDG reporting standardisation in the private sector poses a significant challenge to any organisation’s attempts at compiling and disclosing company data to report in a consistent and comparable manner – until now.
To address this challenge, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has developed SDG indicators that were identified based on key reporting principles, selection criteria, main reporting frameworks and company reporting practices around the world. These core indicators are intended as a common benchmark for sustainability and SDG reporting by enterprises, and therefore, represent the minimum disclosures that companies could do to be able to provide comparable baseline data on their contribution to the implementation of the SDGs.
The objective of this guidance is to provide practical information on how these indicators could be measured in a consistent manner and in alignment with countries’ needs on monitoring the attainment of the SDG agenda.
It is intended to serve as a tool to assist governments to assess private sector contribution to SDG implementation and to assist entities to provide baseline data on sustainability issues.
You are most welcome to join the NBI and the UNCTAD webinar if you are interested to learn more about the core indicators proposed by this guidance document and discover insights into how they align with what South African companies already report on. In addition, we will cover how standardised data from the private sector can benefit national level reporting of the private sector contribution towards the implementation of the SDGs.
RSVP here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Webinar: NBI/Brand South Africa: COVID-19 Recovery Strategy - How to Navigate the Economic and Brand Reputation Risk Landscape During and After COVID-19
2020-06-12 11:00 - 12:30
The world and South Africa have changed dramatically since February 2020. In a short time, the global COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions conducive for a perfect storm. This reality is the consequence of three converging crises:

Healthcare – treatment and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Economic instability – economic and financial market fallout; and
Social Inequality – societal crisis of universal proportions with stark global consequences.

Agile reactions are required in response to the evolving domestic and international health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the National Business Initiative (NBI) and Brand South Africa will be exploring COVID-19 recovery strategies from a brand and reputational risk perspective. This will enable companies to navigate the complex landscape of the current pandemic, recovery phase and new normal post the pandemic.
The webinar discussion and stakeholder engagement session will cover how to deal with brand reputational risk as well as priority recovery strategies in times of volatility.
For further context on the discussion, please review the draft copy of the Research Update on key contributing factors in the domestic and global environments.
The National Business Initiative and Brand South Africa are excited to announce the following key speakers:

Dr Petrus de Kock: General Manager – Research at Brand SA
COVID-19 recovery strategies from a brand and reputational risk perspective
Vincent Magwenya: Founder and CEO at Conversations Media and Communications
How to deal with brand reputational risk post COVID-19
Neil Franklin: AECI – Group Safety, Health and Environment Manager
NBI Member Company AECI’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic – Enhancing brand reputation with action

Please click here to register for this webinar.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI Webinar: Adaption Finance Event 2020 - Event 4: Biodiversity and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
2020-06-10 13:00 - 15:00
Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa”
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) have the pleasure of inviting you to attend a series of events towards building a pipeline of adaptation and biodiversity-based adaptation projects to alleviate the acute shortage of adaption projects locally; and to attract up to US$50 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The NBI and SANBI have launched this 3 phase project designed to help identify areas of vulnerability, sectors where our member companies are working on adaptation projects already and where, through collaboration, we can scale up these projects to enhance impact and to attract climate finance. Phase 1 grounds us all in the latest information on the climate science, adaptation and finance. Phase 2 will look at specific project identification. Phase 3 will shortlist to a few high potential projects with which we can approach the GCF.
Event 1 of the project took place on 21st November 2019 led by Prof Bob Scholes and Prof Francois Engelbrecht of the Wits Global Change and focused on the latest climate science, scenarios, and impacts. Event 2, on climate and adaptation finance took place on the 12th February 2020 featured Zaheer Fakir, Chief Director for International Governance and Resource Mobilization at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and also included a panel discussion the sources of finance for adaptation measures. Event 3 took place on 3rd March 2020 and featured the individual climate adaption and resilience journeys of some of the country’s most important companies, told from their own perspective, including Eskom and Transnet.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Online Workshop: Climate Finance for Transforming South Africa’s Energy Infrastructure
2020-06-09 14:00 - 15:30
A research team at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is undertaking some exciting new research on climate finance for transforming our energy infrastructure as part of an international project on Strengthening National Climate Policy Finance Implementation (SNAPFI).
The UCT team and the National Business Initiative (NBI) have the pleasure of inviting you to attend the second workshop on climate finance for transforming our energy infrastructure, to present findings of the South African case study for the first year of this international research initiative.
The first workshop which took place on 6th November 2019 kicked off a multi-stakeholder engagement on the transformation of the South African electricity infrastructure. The South African case study will be included in an international set of case studies and learning with teams in Brazil, India, Indonesia and Europe.
We would hope to get your feedback before we finalise this piece of research. Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues with an interest in climate-finance-policy issues.
Kindly click here for the project description and here for the draft case study.
Register here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Webinar: Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the Private Sector
2020-05-26 14:00 - 16:00
The current context of a global COVID-19 pandemic casts a specific lens on what was already a key issue in our society – and renders the issue of Gender Based Violence (GBV) much more urgent. In a time where business is challenged to look beyond profit as to how it can support broader society through this crisis, it should be borne in mind what business is doing with regards to GBV; particularly when it relates to their work force who will mostly be home-based for the foreseeable future. Join Shared Value Africa Initiative and the National Business Initiative (NBI) in a virtual roundtable discussion on gender-based violence and how business and society can collaborate to challenge, capacitate, and co-create solutions towards eradicating GBV. Please note that this webinar will also be held on Wednesday, 27 and Friday 29 May 2020 at 14:00.
Gender Based Violence & The Private Sector Resource Document
Register here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Business Leadership for a Sustainable Future: WBCSD Vision 2050 Refresh
2020-03-12 09:30 - 15:30
With over three dozen leading companies, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is driving a collective, business-led effort to revisit its Vision 2050 – a landmark report issued a decade ago which focused on the opportunity for business to help unlock the transformations that are needed to allow over 9 billion people to live well, within the boundaries of the planet, by mid-century.
As part of this exercise, the WBCSD is working with its Global Network partners, including the National Business Initiative (NBI), to realise an engagement programme in form of a global roadshow across key geographies including: Africa; Australia; Brazil; China; Europe; India; Japan; Latin America; North America and Southeast Asia.
The NBI and the WBCSD are therefore hosting a workshop in Johannesburg to give companies the opportunity to engage and provide input into this process, which is due to be completed by October of 2020. Participants will also be given positive, opportunity-based, action agenda needed for the decade to come, in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the session you will be given the chance to exchange and engage on the back of insights about the challenges and opportunities for business to catalyze transformation of major economic systems such as food, energy, mobility, etc., and trends that will most likely shape the operating environment over the next decade.
Kindly click here should you wish to attend this engagement with the WBCSD.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa: Event 3
2020-03-03 11:00 - 13:00
ADAPTATION FINANCE EVENTS 2020 “Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa” | Event 3: Adaptation Finance: The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) are hosting a series of events towards building a pipeline of adaptation and biodiversity-based adaptation projects to alleviate the acute shortage of adaption projects locally; and to attract up to US$50 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). View further details on the series of events, here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

NBI/Brand South Africa: An Investor’s Outlook on Brand South Africa - Cape Town
2020-02-27 11:00 - 13:00
What can the South African economy learn about South African brands? According to the latest Brand Finance South Africa annual report, the growth of South African brands consistently outpace the South African GDP. It is a fascinating phenomenon that needs further analysis. Join us for this engagement as we explore and take stock of the economy through the eyes of the investor, whilst also exchanging information on the on-the-ground experiences of doing business in South Africa.
Dr Petrus de Kock: General Manager – Research, Brand South Africa: Nation Brand Performance

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Adaptation Finance Events 2020 - “Unlocking Private Sector Involvement in the Green Climate Fund Projects in South Africa”
2020-02-12 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) have the pleasure of inviting you to attend a series of events towards building a pipeline of adaptation and biodiversity-based adaptation projects to alleviate the acute shortage of adaption projects locally; and to attract up to US$50 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The NBI and SANBI have launched this 3-phase project designed to help identify areas of vulnerability, areas where our member companies are working on adaptation projects already and where, through collaboration, we can scale up these projects to enhance impact and to attract climate finance. Phase 1 grounds us all in the latest information on the climate science, adaptation and finance. Phase 2 will look at specific project identification. Phase 3 will shortlist to a few high promise projects with which we can approach the GCF.
Event 1 of the project took place on 21 November 2019 led by Prof Bob Scholes and Prof Francois Engelbrecht of the Wits Global Change and focused on the latest climate science, adaptation and finance information.
Future events in phase 1 include the following topics:

An introduction to and the state of climate finance;
Adaptation finance examples and best practice; and
The role of biodiversity and ecosystem-based finance.

The schedule is as follows:

Event 2: Wednesday, 12 February 2020 RSVP here.
Event 3: Tuesday, 3 March 2020 RSVP here.
Event 4: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 RSVP here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Expanding Prospects for Youth in the Green Economy – Cape Town
2020-02-07 11:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) manages the implementation of the Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Initiative, a national programme to expand artisanal learning and employment pathways for young people, with a particular focus on the Green Economy. The IRM Initiative forms part of the Presidential Job Summit agreement and seeks to create a minimum 7,500 jobs and self-employment over the next 2 years.
In partnership with GreenCape, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and TVET Colleges, the IRM Initiative will implement a series of programmes to grow economic opportunities for young people in the city of Cape Town. These programmes are demand-driven, responding to the demand for skills in the local economy, and therefore depend on strong involvement and buy-in from industry.
The partners are convening an industry information session to introduce IRM and highlight the practical opportunities and benefits for companies to participate.
Kindly click here to RSVP should you wish to attend this session.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Building leadership and momentum around climate action in the lead up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties - November 2020 (COP26)
2020-01-30 11:00 - 13:00
2020 is a pivotal moment in the race to tackle climate change. We are running out of time to make the global and local economic changes that will avert the worst physical climate impacts, impacts that will be catastrophic for South Africa. Given slow progress at COP25 in Madrid, the leadership, plans and activities of the British Government as the COP26 host, will be critical. It is important for us as National Business Initiative (NBI) members to understand their processes and seek to provide South African and developing country perspectives.
The United Kingdom Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, Nick Bridge and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business Initiative, Joanne Yawitch therefore have the pleasure of inviting you to attend a discussion on building climate ambition and private sector leadership in the lead up to COP26. This will give you both the opportunity to understand the United Kingdom thinking and an opportunity to share your perspectives on change. COP26 is to be held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2020.
The session will include a presentation from the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, covering climate risks, climate imperatives and the UK approach to COP 26, a presentation and reflections on South Africa’s climate transition, discussions and a light lunch.
Please contact Reitumetse Molotsoane for further details on this engagement.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Demystifying the Call to Climate Action
2020-01-21 07:30 - 09:30 | Teams
Grindrod, The National Business Initiative (NBI) and Eversheds Sutherland are pleased to invite you to attend the “Inaugural “Wake-Up Call”: Demystifying the Call to Climate Action”, scheduled for 07:30am on Tuesday, the 21st of January 2020 at Grindrod, Durban.
The aim of this engagement is to “demystify” the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We aim to also generate awareness on the realities of the impacts of global warming and to provide practical and realistic ways to implement change within organisations in order to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. The Alliances for Climate Action will also be presented as an example of a local solution to the global climate challenge.
We are also delighted to confirm that Dr. Debra Roberts will be our keynote input at the engagement, with further insights to be shared by Steve Nicholls of the NBI and Pascale Defroberville of Eversheds Sutherland.
Kindly click here if you wish to attend this event.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion

Inaugural Meeting of NBI's Gauteng Water Alliance
2019-12-05 09:30 - 13:00
The time for drought related planning for the Gauteng region, is now.
Delays in infrastructure development, operational challenges, recurrent droughts, climate change and rising water demand, all place Gauteng’s water security at risk. As highlighted in a recent report commissioned by the Gauteng Province, ‘Gauteng must never take its water security for granted.’
The Gauteng Water Alliance will focus on the following:

Providing a strong, coherent private sector response to the risks facing the Vaal System; and
Supporting all spheres of government and key players such as Rand Water in the implementation of their programmes, to strengthen Gauteng’s water resilience.

As was made abundantly clear in Cape Town recently, water is everyone’s business.
Effective private sector collaboration can make a difference, as evidenced by the work of the National Business Initiative (NBI) and its members in both Richards Bay (through the uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership) and in Cape Town (through the NBI Western Cape Drought Task Force).
Please join us as we work to understand the water risks facing Gauteng, what plans and initiatives are underway; and map out the role of the private sector in the year ahead.
Kindly RSVP here.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Ms Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), are holding a CEO-level Executive Dialogue on the White Paper on Local Government Reform, hosted by Exxaro.

Why This Matters Now:

Municipal performance is no longer a peripheral policy issue – it sits at the heart of investment risk, infrastructure reliability, operating costs and economic growth.
The Revised Draft White Paper proposes far-reaching reforms across:

Municipal finance and fiscal sustainability
Infrastructure planning and delivery
Governance and accountability mechanisms

Spatial and economic development

A Focused, Outcomes-Driven Dialogue

This is a closed, high-level session between the political and administrative leadership of CoGTA and a select group of CEOs and Board Chairs.
The dialogue will be concise, strategic and action-oriented, aimed at:

Testing the investability and implementation feasibility of the proposed reforms
Identifying priority areas for public–private collaboration
Consolidating a clear business position to inform the final White Paper

This engagement represents the final structured opportunity for organised business to influence the policy direction before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026Time:09:00 to 13:00 (SAST)Platform: Centurion
