Metropolitan confirmed as primary sponsor of MISTRA

The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection(MISTRA) has confirmed that leading financial service group Metropolitan has come on board as the primary sponsor for the public launch of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) on 18 and 19 March 2011.

“The goals and objectives of MISTRA are perfectly aligned with our business philosophy of serving Africa’s people through the delivery of affordable financial solutions that create financial growth and security, thus creating prosperity for all our customers and stakeholders,” says Ayanda Vilakazi, group marketing manager at Metropolitan.

“Metropolitan supports initiatives, which are aimed at promoting social development, sustainability of societies, and our democracy. This aligns with MISTRA’s long-term vision of focusing research and reflection on domestic and global dynamics with a bearing on the advancement of South African society.”

“Metropolitan’s differentiators lie within our four brand drivers, for example, empowerment as a business and socio-economic imperative, creating equity, hastening social change and transformation; development with focus on young people and SMMEs as an integral part to engaging local communities and forming partnerships for mutual benefit; education as an enabler for moral upliftment, personal empowerment and employment; and promotion of health and wellness to fulfill business and social responsibility towards our stakeholders.”

“We want to work with like-minded organisations and corporate South Africa in making a sustainable and meaningful difference to improve the lives of our communities.” says Vilakazi. “We like the fact that MISTRA undertakes research and, whilst providing a long term vision, also focuses on short term, practical interventions,” said Vilakazi.

Welcoming Metropolitan on board, Joel Netshitenzhe, MISTRA vice chairperson and executive director, explains that MISTRA was founded by a group of South Africans with experience in research, academia, policy-making and governance, who saw the need to create a new platform of engagement around critical issues facing the country.

“South Africa does not have a forum that devotes its attention to strategic approaches to the country’s challenges, from a long-term perspective. As a result, our country has not developed sufficient capacity for high-level and sometimes speculative intellectual engagement. MISTRA seeks to work with others in building this capacity.”

The conference takes place from 18 to 19 March at The Castle Kyalami and kicks off with a special gala dinner on 17 March. The dinner will be held to recognise the contributions made by the Institute’s founding donors, while also providing an opportunity for individuals and institutions to enter into various forms of partnership with MISTRA. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is billed to deliver the keynote address. There will also be a special lecture on the importance of strategic thinking for the development of nations.

For further information on the Mapungubwe Institute, and detail on the various research projects please visit http://www.mistra.org.za/