The annual African Renaissance Gala Banquet has become well known as one of South Africa’s most prestigious events attended by a wide variety of VIP guests from business and government. The celebratory occasion sees guests dressing up in style, either in African inspired outfits or formal evening wear.

ENTERTAINMENT
Over the years, entertainment at the event has been provided by the finest musical talent, some artists emerging, while others well established and award winning. To name a few, performers have included Treble Trio, Simphiwe Dana, Tresor, Hugh Masekela, Lira, Mhlonishwa Dlamini, and Mbuso Khoza.

Performing at the 2018 Banquet will be resident bandâ€" Vuka and vocals from Pinky Mtshali, Thandeka and the effervescent Njabulo with special guest appearances by Thembeka Mnguni and Crystalene Nair.

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS
However, the event has also become known for the calibre of its key note speakers. The guest speaker at this year’s banquet will be Mrs Bridgette Radebe. Beginning as a contract miner in the 1980s, managing
shafts, Bridgette Radebe became South Africa’s first black female mining entrepreneur. She went on to found Mmakau Mining, a successful business with interests in gold, platinum, coal, ferrochrome, and uranium assets. Among many other responsibilities, she is president of the country’s largest mining chamber, the South African Mining Development Association.

PAST SPEAKERS AT THE EVENT INCLUDE:
1999

• Mr Nelson Mandela (President of South Africa)

2000

• Mr Jacob Zuma (Deputy President of South Africa) (recorded speech)
• Mr Peter Cox (Chairman, Sasol)

2001

• Mr Thabo Mbeki (President of South Africa)

2002

• Mr Sydney Mufamadi (Minister of Provincial and Local Government)

2003

• Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (Foreign Affairs Minister)

2004

• Mr George Shinholster (US Guest)
• Mr Thomas Naidoo (Provincial Director, Standard Bank Group KZN)

2005

• Mr Mfundo Nkhulu (Managing Director, Nedbank Corporate)
• Mr Glen Jackson (Director, Standard Bank)

2006

• Mr Sbu Ndebele (Premier of KwaZulu-Natal)

2007

• Mr Jeff Radebe (National Minister of Transport)

2008

• Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba (Director General, Department of Foreign Affairs)

2009

• Mr Sbu Ndebele (Chair African Renaissance)

2010

• Banquet not held due to 2010 World Cup events

2011

• Mr Nhlanhla Nene (Deputy Minister of Finance)

2012

• Dr Christo Wiese (Chairman, Pepkor Group)

2013

• Mr Stephen Saad (Group CEO, Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd)

2014

• Dr Johan van Zyl (President and CEO of Toyota South Africa)

2015

• Mr Sizwe Nxasana (CEO and Executive Director of FirstRand Limited)

2016

• Mr Jeffrey Radebe (Minister in the Presidency)

2017

• Mr Simphiwe Tshabalala (Joint Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group).