Comments Joel Netshitenzhe, head of policy co-ordination in the Presidency, "The South African Government appreciates the opportunity for such a high level interaction with the world's major news organisations.
"The South African story deserves more objective attention internationally. Our story - and that of the African continent - is about the myriad opportunities for partnership between the public and the private sectors, as our country and our continent pursue higher rates of growth and improvement of the human condition."
Forum organiser Fergal Parkinson adds, "In today's world of 24-hour international news, a good relationship with the media is essential and can mean the difference between success and failure. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the most important journalists from the worlds press." Parkinson is an award-winning journalist who for the past six years has worked as a foreign correspondent for BBC News.
According to the International Media Forum, South Africa is increasingly confident of its position on the world's stage, but there are still major challenges ahead in communicating what the country has to offer.
Through a series of keynote speeches, discussions and workshops, this event aims to create a roadmap for future successful media relations and provide the tools and the contacts to put it into practice. It should provide a pioneering dialogue between those who shape South Africa's image and South Africans who have the power to change their future by the way they communicate the events taking place in their country.
Speakers include:
The International Media Forum is also supported by Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA), the International Marketing Council of South Africa and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
For more information, please contact:
Pamela Dlamini or Claire Taylor
Tel +27 (0)11 772 1000
Email or
