Amidst the gloom of BMW's decision to cancel the production in South Africa of one of its new models, the IMF's warning to a “vulnerable” South Africa to speed up reforms; and some very prominent economists and business people (including Woolworth’s Chairman Simon Susman and former Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni) calling for greater clarity and consistency from the government in it terms of economic policy, spending two days last week at a conference in up-beat Stellenbosch was an immensely pleasing experience.

Stellenbosch, which most of our international clients already know, is said to be the best-known town in South Africa. History, culture, natural beauty, sport, education and wine has made the name "Stellenbosch" resonate around the globe. This particular conference focused on Stellenbosch - the town and the district - and the people who live there. The idea of the conference, and the inspiration behind it, came from Mayor Conrad Sidego, whom our Danish clients will remember as an excellent South African ambassador to that country. He formulated the theme of the conference: how to create a more cohesive, collaborative and shared sense of identity as Stellenboschers through innovation? Or as the tagline put it "From Innovation to Winning Nation".

And following two excellent keynote addresses - Mayor Sidego and Vice Chancellor of Stellenbosch University Professor Russell Botman - the conference got the support of the town’s internationally famous business people and their companies – Richemont’s Johann Rupert who is also Chancellor of the University; PSG's Jannie Mouton, FNB’s Michael Jordaan and Media24’s Chairperson Rachel Jafta. Other creative participants who contributed to the success of this event came from the University, with several of the country’s most celebrated winemakers not allowing the conference to forget that Stellenbosch was based on the wine it produces.

Aside from its food and wine and other attractions to tourists out of Africa and across the world, Stellenbosch is well-known for its Technopark.  Established in the 1980s, it is now a flourishing institution very largely because of its closeness to the University. It is also backed by Stellenbosch’s extraordinarily strong financial service sector. It obviously is a crucial part of Stellenbosch’s intention of being the African continent’s innovation hub.

Stellenbosch, of course, has its problems. It is a very unequal society. Municipal services don't reach all communities - something which mayor Sidego and his council are very aware of and are working on. Also, as in many South African towns, the economy is divided between the formal and informal sectors, something which business people like Jannie Mouton and others are helping to bridge.

There is no doubt that this commitment to social and economic change is genuine, and can be achieved - given what has already happened in Stellenbosch. Once a bastion of white politics with an all-white University, Stellenbosch has adjusted to the new South Africa - fortunately not in all ways. As Conrad Sidego pointed out in his inspiring keynote, Stellenbosch, as it moves fully into the digital age, can reignite a sense of the magic Nelson Mandela brought to our national life and which we have lost.

But now how to take Stellenbosch forward into Africa and the world? Stellenbosch is all of the following:

• It has a techno-finance service hub that is unique in Africa.
• Stellenbosch has the beginnings of being the innovation capital of Africa; and
• It is a major international tourist attraction.

As Johan Krige of the wine estate Kanonkop told the conference in a way nobody will ever forget – “Stellenbosch has the most beautiful Winelands in the world and Stellenbosch produces the best wines in Africa. So use these attributes!”

Gesondheid!