SEIFSA, Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries and Imbokodo Trust join forces to Empower Young Black Woman

Johannesburg, 21 November 2022 – The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) has partnered with the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries (ItalCham) and the Imbokodo Trust with the aim of empowering young black woman and assisting companies to improve their B-BBEE compliance.

The three organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the aim of exchanging information, including newsletters, reports and market analyses, organising events that provide networking opportunities and introducing potential partners to each other.

SEIFSA CEO Lucio Trentini, ItalCham president Virgilio Da Molo and Imbokodo Trust chairman Theo Sibiya were the signatories of the MOU. Trentini said: “We are confident that our exciting partnership with the ItalCham and Imbokodo Trust will afford SEIFSA’s affiliated membership an opportunity to address the many challenges faced by young black woman in the sector and in the process improve their B-BBEE compliance.”

Da Molo said: “This MOU is very important to us as it will allow us to operate the Imbokodo Trust efficiently and effectively, providing simple solutions to our members and ensuring that the ItalCham contributes meaningfully to the country’s transformation agenda.”

The many synergies between SEIFSA, ItalCham and Imbokodo Trust will contribute to the success of the partnership between the three bodies, all of whom are committed to the highest ethical standards and providing benefits to their membership and beneficiaries.

For the three organisations, the MOU is a pathway to addressing the challenges faced by young black woman in the sector, assisting companies to improve their B-BBEE compliance and in the process contributing to a better South Africa.

In terms of the MOU, SEIFSA has pledged to find beneficiaries for the Imbokodo Trust’s many programmes with strict compliance with B-BBEE legislation, while the Trust has committed itself to contributing donor funding to the SEIFSA Training Centre in the achievement of these goals.

SEIFSA supports companies in South Africa’s metals and engineering sector through lobbying, advocacy and collective bargaining. Its members range from giant steel-making corporations to micro-enterprises employing fewer than 50 people.

ItalCham promotes and facilitates trade between Italy and Southern Africa through market intelligence and tailor-made services and events. It is also a member of the EU Chamber of Southern Africa.