Sir Nigel's Journey…

Interesting discussion here…I’m wonder what others think of this video?

08.30:  Registration and refreshments

09.00:  Chairman’s welcome
Adam Roberts, News Editor, The Economist

09.05:  The Economist Group briefing: scenarios for Zimbabwe
Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist

• The future of the power-sharing government
• What current policies are likely to mean for future economic development
• Key players: the roles of South Africa, China and the UK
• When will Zimbabwe be rebuilt? How long will the brain drain last?
• The structure of the economy and the potential for future development
• Are there relevant case studies from elsewhere in Africa?

09.30:  Keynote address
Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe

10.45:  Refreshment break

11.05:  The long-term outlook for Zimbabwe: reconstruction and risks

• What is the timeline for economic recovery?
• Assessing the country’s reconstruction needs
• Potential in key sectors: mining, agriculture, tourism
• When will there be significant new FDI beyond the mining sector?
• Zimbabwe’s future role in the southern African economy

Panellists include:
July Ndlovu, Executive Head: Processing, Anglo Platinum
René Snyman, Managing Director, sub-Saharan Africa, Beckman Coulter
Admassu Tadesse, Group Executive, Development Bank of Southern Africa

12.05:  Human capital and the brain drain

• How severe has the brain drain been and is there any realistic prospect of reversal?
• What role can the Zimbabwean diaspora play in rebuilding the country and developing local capacities?
• Will foreign investment help to develop Zimbabwe’s human resources—and when is the right time?

Panellists include:
Kamel Abdallah, Chief Executive Officer, Rani Investment-Aujan Group
John Legat, Chief Executive, Imara Asset Management Zimbabwe
Trevor Ncube, Executive Deputy Chairman, Mail and Guardian

13.00:  Lunch

14.00:  Agriculture and food security

• Repairing the agricultural sector; what needs to change?
• Balancing urban and rural food provision; the roles of aid agencies and the private sector
• The future of land policy and property rights
• Dealing with drought and climate change
• How could Zimbabwe become a breadbasket again?
• Should Zimbabwe grow GM crops for export to markets like Brazil and China?

Panellists include:
Blessing Karumbidza, Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology
Carlman Moyo, Regional Director, DuPont sub-Saharan Africa
Sam Moyo, Executive Director, African Institute for Agrarian Studies
John Worsley-Worswick, Justice for Agriculture

15.00:  South Africa’s relations with Zimbabwe

• How are relations changing under President Jacob Zuma?
• Does South Africa benefit from Zimbabwe’s problems?
• South African investment in Zimbabwe: trends, impact and challenges
• Assessing the impact of Zimbabwean migrants on South Africa’s economy—and what this means for bilateral relations
• Farm seizures and the implications for the bilateral investment treaty

Panellists include:
Kuseni Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer, Old Mutual South Africa
Heidi Holland, Journalist and author of Dinner with Mugabe
Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Assistant Professor, University of South Africa

16.00:  Refreshment break

16.20:  The ethics of investment: is it the time right to invest in Zimbabwe?

• What are the ethical issues around investing in Zimbabwe?
• Are foreign businesses doing more harm than good?
• How are the relations between the EU and Zimbabwe likely to evolve?
• Do targeted sanctions have any impact on the economy or is this just a red herring?
• Reputational risk, corruption and compliance

Panellists include:
Conze Albrecht, German Ambassador to Zimbabwe
Andrew Cranswick, Chief Executive Officer, African Consolidated Resources
Tawanda Nyambirai, Group Chief Executive, TN Holdings
Khadija Sharife, Journalist and author of Aid to Africa: Redeemer or Coloniser?

17.20:  Q&A with Zimbabwean Government Ministers
Elton Mangoma, Minister of Energy and Power Development
Tapiwa Mashakada, Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion

18.30:  Chairman’s closing remarks 

Source: – More info here

…and says these two powerful statements: -

“Democracy is not an event but a process, a process that cannot be stopped or diverted.”

“Africa’s opportunity is now…we must acknowledge & respect the fundamentals of good governance.”