South Africa’s leading live event technical and production training organization,
South African Roadies Association (SARA) turns 23 years old and will be a hosting a
3rd Live Event Technical & Production Conference (LETPC 2017) from 18th to 20th
May 2017 at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.

This first of its kind and ground-breaking conference gathers relevant stakeholders,
professionals and practitioners in the events, technical and production sector which
are estimated to contribute approximately 5% to South Africa’s GDP.

LEPTC 2017 will host stakeholders, representatives from the education sectors,
along with local industry leaders and international market leaders to discuss
amongst other pertinent sector issues, the need for the yet to be achieved critical
upgrade of skills qualifications and training (increase entry level from matric to NQF
5), skills development to match international standards, skills interventions,
industry transformation and establishment of a training academy.

“Coincidentally this conference returns at the time when there are loud and poignant
calls for radical transformation in our economy and the continent generally. There
remains in South Africa great resistance to transformation notwithstanding the clear
outcomes, industry support and evidence that transformation must happen
especially to create the requisite skills, jobs and entrepreneurship outcomes sought.
SARA greatly appreciates the support from Department of Arts and Culture, industry
leaders and others stakeholders. SARA’s call to achieve these goals remains steady
and robust.’ said Freddie Nyathela, South African Roadies Association President.

The conference is supported by the Department of Arts and Culture, the event’s
anchor sponsor and has seen Minister Nathi Mthetwa give a keynote address for the
past 2 years.

LETPC officials hope that this year’s significant gathering will have the following
impact on the clearly set outcomes over the past 2 years:

• Sign-off the increase of skills qualifications to NQF 5 (entry level
management)

• Mobilise robust public-private partnerships to establish the training
academy

• Foreign equipment manufacturer training and investments in SA

• Sector development and transformation

“This conference has played a vital role towards social cohesion and racial
integration in the industry. So far; our voices are finally being heard and change is
gradually happening; global positioning of the industry has been achieved. This is
evident from the support LETPC is receiving from our international counterparts and
industry experts.’ – Sharif Baker; LETPC Spokesperson.

Industry topics will be addressed by international and local market leaders.

Speakers who have confirmed their attendance at LETPC 2017 are:

• Ms. Sara Whybrew – Creative and Cultural Skills (UK)

• Ms. Mamela Nyanza – Arts Activists (South Africa)

• Mr. Andy Lenthall – Production Services Association (UK)

• Mr. Myke Rabar – Homeboyz Group (Kenya)

• Mr. Falco Zanini – VPLT (Germany)

• Ms. Brenda Ntombela – HRDC Secretariat (SA)

• Mr. Sharif Baker – LETPC Official (South Africa)

• Mr. Roderick Van Gelder – Stage Safety (Australia)

• Advocate Chijioke Okorie – Penguide Associates/2Nite Entertainment (Nigeria)

• Mr. Sami Helwani – Mastermix Production Limited (Ghana)

• Advocate Xolile Xuma – Ingomso Resource Centre (SA)

LETPC is open to practitioners, professionals and stakeholders serving in the events,
technical, production and education sectors.

To register and get conference updates, visit www.letpc.co.za .

Sponsors: Department of Arts and Culture SA, Gearhouse South Africa