GFVC AFRICA was inspired by a South African born, Swazi woman, Ntombikayise Patricia Nkosi who started working on the concept in September 2016 in the hope of bringing Africa together to establish a politically independent, fully integrated iconic ecosystem that accelerates innovation at scale across the value chain, small enterprises, and the 8 RECs to exploit the untapped Agricultural, Mining, Technology, Film, and Manufacturing opportunities presented by the industrialization of the fashion ecosystem.

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Convinced of the virtues of solidarity and unity as the base for a common force forward, and determined to leave no stone unturned in defeating Africa’s underdevelopment status; Youth unemployment and Rural Poverty:

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GFVC AFRICA was initially designed as a product of the social enterprise, Siander Holdings, in 2016, and later repositioned as a stand-alone public benefit entity for the success of the model's business.

 

Thanks to Siander' cooperation and the international policy development agency that was consulted at the time in preparation for the initiative's 2017 Launch, Siander gave up its directorship rights from the NPC to the concept founder - due to principles that govern compact initiatives. It is also with this background that the Summit was postponed at the time until further notice.

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Aug 2017 - 2018, Ms Nkosi prioritized on finalizing the GFVC AFRICA concept and framework prior to inviting independent volunteers as directors of the Non-Profit Company, and office bearers of the new Non-Profit Organization that was to be formed. To that end, the development of the material was finalized in 2018 followed by the Non-Profit Company's application for the name change of Directors.

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THE NPO IS FORMALIZED IN 2019

Thanks to Siander Holdings' support and Mr Emmanuel Zeferino from Tswane University of Technology for the time extended during this process: The GFVC AFRICA Constitution draft was developed; office bearers with shared values, beliefs and goals of the organ were confirmed; and the NPO was registered with the South African Social Development Department.

 

The following make-up the Office Bearers of the GFVC AFRICA and permanent members of the GFVC AFRICA ASSEMBLY since 2019: Ms. B Mackay; Mr. V Munyama; Ms. N Nkosi; Prince N Dlamini, Mr. M Gcabo; Ms. M Nkosi; Adv M Motha. The appointments and onboarding process of the Commission was a collaborative effort between the existing assembly, independent industry experts and leaders in public service who volunteered their time in support of the effort. 

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TRUSTEES APPOINTMENTS

August 2020 - a resolution was reached by permanent members of the GFVC AFRICA ASSEMBLY and founding directors of the NPC to appoint 3 independent and capable officers to serve as trustees and administrators of the GFVC AFRICA account. As a result, the trust account was opened with the First National Bank of South Africa during this time.

 

BACKGROUND OF THE GFVC AFRICA MODEL' DEVELOPMENT

The inspiration was drawn from: 

• the Continent’s thriving underdevelopment and misuse of entrusted power. 

• lack of industry integration and manufacturing activities.

• lack of strong [independent] industrialization development institutions. 

• the common poverty and unemployment challenges faced by the founder’s large rural family, neighbors and old friends in the townships.

• the abundance of Africa’s rich ancient craftsmanship heritage, natural and human capital, and untapped value chain's industrialization potential. 

• the Nasdaq listed Global Marketing Company that the founder had previously worked for: InnerWorkings (INWK).

• Founding Fathers of the OAU 1963 and OAU Charter.

• the single currency vision of the AU. 

• the EU' integrated economy.

• and the founder's beliefs.

 

and finally, the model was designed with the European Union’s integrated economy in mind; iconic Silicon Valley; China’s various advanced ecosystem development models that have proven to be a success; and lastly Harvard Gary Pisano and Willy Shih who introduced the term “industrial commons” to characterize the resources and capacities required to sustain and foster innovation and a strong advanced-manufacturing base. Motivation: To unlock the untapped opportunities presented by the complex fashion value chain that has the highest potential to address Africa's challenge demands and achieve organizational goals - Ms. Nkosi believes that this requires a comprehensive integrated approach.

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GFVC AFRICA' founding members share in the beliefs that all human beings have equal value; they believe that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence; and that culture and cultural heritage are the fundamental determinants of what makes our lives meaningful.

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