SAJBD Gauteng Conference Sunday

ANT KATZ

The focus of the conference will be to celebrate the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy, reflect on the journey thus far and also engage in a topical discussion about pertinent issues in the development of South Africa and its citizenry. A panel discussion on “Journeys to Freedom” will form part of the conference.

Panelists are Dr Mkhize, Colin Coleman and Prof Michael Katz. Coleman, who is head of the SA office of Goldman Sachs International and nominee for the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders for Tomorrow award, will explore the economic transformation of our country. Prof Katz, a past president of SAJBD, chairman of ENSafrica and former chairman of the Tax Commission, will focus on changes in the Jewish community over the past 20 years. Dr Mkhize will share his contribution to the establishment of a democratic government, specifically within the health sector.

The conference will however start with a session entitled the Gaza Effect: Impact on SA Jewry.  During this session, Jewish leadership will report back on issues affecting the Jewish community during Gaza, including on resultant anti-Semitism and media bias.

The SAJBD, through its conferences and other internal projects, engages actively on issues with the Jewish community and the broader South African citizenry. While its primary audience and constituency is the Jewish community, it creates platforms of dialogue and is the interface between the minority group and the broader South African population.

During the apartheid years, although constituting a small minority of the population, the Jewish community played a disproportionate role in the struggle for democracy.  The book Jewish Memories of Mandela, which chronicles some of the stories from those dark years, will be available at the conference.

RSVP essential:  Jenni@sajbd.org. or (011) 645 2521