The Black Management Forum Annual Corporate Update Gala Dinner 2018

The Black Management Forum (the BMF) will celebrate its existence and relevance by hosting its Annual Corporate Update Gala Dinner on Friday, 8 June 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre. The BMF continues to be fully committed in the pursuit of excellence in all spheres of business. It is for this reason that the organisation continues to host the Corporate Update Gala Dinner, a platform for it to celebrate, engage and share its progress with Corporate South Africa, State-owned Enterprises and Government. The Gala Dinner is a major networking event on the South African business calendar, bringing together up to 800 high profile guests from the private and the public sector. It is also a social gathering that enables the development of a positive economic state. The evening is thematically driven, to focus our minds on current matters engulfing our country and interpreted through the prism of the BMF. The keynote address will be delivered by the Honourable Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan.

Alongside the corporate update that will be delivered, the BMF bestows Black Excellence Leadership Awards on South Africans in recognition of their business acumen and outstanding leadership and professionalism in their industries. In the past two years, the Directors: M Mthunzi (Mr) (President), D Mpafa (Mr.) (Deputy President), T Wonci (Mr) (Managing Director), T Gopane (Dr), E Gumbi (Mr), K Khoza (Mr), L Manqele Mr), J Maswanganyi (Mr), N Mojanaga (Ms), J. Mudau (Dr), A Nomlala (Mr), M Tsheketshe (Mr), R Matlhabegoane (Mr), M Mahlathini (Mr.), G Nxiweni (Mr) Company Secretary: X Mpongoshe – Makasi (Ms) Co. Reg. No. 1981/001893/08 following have been the recipients of these awards: Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Sipho Nkosi, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, Nolitha Fakude and Tembinkosi Bonakele. This year, three outstanding South Africans will once again be recognised. The names of the 2018 Awardees will be announced at the Gala Dinner.

This year the Corporate Update Dinner will be celebrated under the theme Ethical Leadership as A Catalyst for Transformation and Inclusive Economic Growth. The BMF is a product and architect of transformation. However, thematically speaking in the context of this chosen theme, transformation needs to be fast tracked and accelerated at a higher pace in our country. This high paced palpitation cannot be achieved without leadership; therefore, a certain kind of leadership is needed to usher in the much-needed transformation. With the advent of deep seated corruption both in the private and public sectors, and society in general, this leadership needs to be of a certain quality.

Therefore, this leadership that is needed must be ethical in its temperament and construct. Ethical in its thought and application, ethical in its compassion in understanding the intricacies of transformation and sensitive to the realities of institutional racism. Ethical in executing justice, fairness and equity. This will lead to shaping a new society whose outcomes will be shared and celebrated as a national pride.

Unquestionably, everything begins and ends with leadership. The greater the challenges at a leadership level, the greater the societal challenges, therefore, we need ethical leadership to be anchored in transformation and unlocking inclusivity to drive a growing economy. A leadership that protects the dignity of all involved, including those that differ with it. The soul of leadership must return, for South Africa deserves a leadership that is consumed by its development and ensures success.