THE WESTERN CAPE APSO INDABA AT SPIER

Our W.Cape Conference was once again an upbeat affair on the spectacular Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.  What a pleasure to remove oneself, be it only temporarily, from the treadmill of trying to meet endless deadlines to an environment of nurturing and “other worldliness”.

Many “never say die” owners and their “warrior” recruiters came to be inspired, motivated and trained by an exciting array of exceptional speakers in order to move beyond and away from the negative “gloom and doom” of the global meltdown. 

Estienne de Beer delighted us with “Meerkat Motivation for the Marketplace” demonstrating the fanatical work ethic, team co-operation and shared learning of the adorable meerkats and their resultant survival in an antagonistic world.  Billy Selekane through a self portrait “From Barefoot to Snakeskin Shoes” powerfully demonstrated that no matter how dire the circumstances, if you visualise where you desire to be, you can achieve it.
Buyani Zwane with enormous energy and passion showed us that we can retain and grow our customer base effectively through “The 8th Habit: The Voice and Speed of Trust”. On a more serious note Grace Stead focused on the importance of “Greening your office and what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint”.  Craig Ferreira through his interaction and working at the edge with Great White Sharks taught delegates that once we develop the skills and resolve to transcend our perceived limitations we can “Grow Beyond our Fears”, realise our dreams and be richly rewarded by engaging life through the heart and not just from an intellectual perspective. Collin Smith gave a truly professional rendition of “Winning the Talent Wars”.  Guy Lundy, who works together with large Corporates and other stakeholders to develop and implement a long-term vision for sustainable inclusive economic growth described “What Cape Town’s Future Could be in 2030?”  Being Proudly South African and pro the Western Cape he created a very positive scenario of how to attract business, investment and reversal of the “Brain Drain”. A panel discussion regarding the Future of the Recruitment Industry and TES proved to be lively and informative with John Botha (CAPES and Nedlac), Michael Bagraim (Labour Lawyer) and Dale Fish (ICHAWU) and Nas Ally (Advisor to Trade Union Movement) and James Thomson (Chairperson). The Conference closed with the very polished and charismatic Michael Mol with “Playing to your Strength”.

This Conference could not have taken place had we not been richly rewarded by our Platinum Sponsors: Independent Newspapers, Silver Sponsors: PNet and
Bronze Sponsors: Kroll.
Exhibitors included: IOL, PNet, Kroll, Global Business Solutions, Placement Partner and Lexis Nexis.

A huge draw card were the unbelievable prizes which included:
PNet – 3 x Blackberry 8310 curves
Kroll – Wine of the Year 2004
Global Business Solutions – Johnny Goldberg’s book on Broad Bases Black Economic Empowerment and a One Day Workshop of choice to the value of R2 000
Parallel Software – Asus EEE 4GB Explorer Series with Windows XP Home
Lexis Nexis – 3 x 2 GIG Memory sticks
Spier – 2 nights accommodation, a meal voucher and 2 x Wine gift packs
IOL – 20 x8 advert in Career Times or Workplace to the value of R14 000
Excelebrate – 2 x Recruitment Training DVD’s to the value of R2 000 each from the renowned trainer Margie Stone (nee Baker)

The Friday African themed evening at Moyo proved to be a great meeting place where delegates and sponsors alike could let their hair down, have their faces painted and network while watching African dancers and rhythmic drummers.  Some were lucky enough to be serenaded with songs from far distant shores.  A truly memorable experience was had by all.