15 June 2006

The International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC) has appointed well-known media personality Govin Reddy as its country manager for India, underlining the growing importance South Africa

The IMC, which has the responsibility to brand South Africa and promote investment, trade and tourism, already has country managers in the US - Simon Barber - and UK - John Battersby.

Reddy, who holds post-graduate degrees from the Universities of Durban-Westville and Northwestern in Chicago, is presently visiting professor at the department of journalism at Stellenbosch University and media consultant for the Thomson Foundation in Cardiff.

A vociferous opponent of apartheid, Reddy held editorial positions in media organisations in Harare and Rome before returning to South Africa, where he became chief executive of radio at the SABC and subsequently its deputy group chief executive. He then went on to become chief executive of the Mail & Guardian and director of the Sol Plaatje Media Leadership Institute at Rhodes University.

IMC CEO Yvonne Johnston said Reddy's appointment underlined the growing importance of India to South Africa.

"We are very happy that someone of Govin Reddy's stature will be promoting Brand South Africa in India for us, and it shows the importance we attach to this growing giant," Johnston said.

The IMC will lead a South African investment mission to India in October to discuss future opportunities for trade, tourism and investment. This follows on US and European missions hosted by the IMC in the past two years.

Trade between South Africa and India gres by a massive 75% between 2004 and 2005, according to Department of Trade and Industry. South African exports almost doubled in this period, while imports increased by 55%. India is now South Africa's 13th largest trading partner.

Investment from Indian companies in South Africa is currently estimated at US$20-billion. Indian Consul General in Johannesburg, Suresh Goel, recently said he expected that another $500-million in investment would be flowing to South Africa in the next few years.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

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