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Symposium
Find full coverage of the Symposium in our April print edition – or visit our digital bookshelf.
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The annual HedgeNews Africa Symposium, now in its 15th year, will be held on March 7, 2024 at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, delivering a challenging and thought-provoking agenda including up-to-date news and views from across the alternative asset management industry.
The Symposium schedule will feature topical keynote sessions and interactive panel discussions, where leading fund managers, investors and service providers will debate the important issues of the day.
Leslie Ndawana, principal executive officer of the National Fund for Municipal Workers, a leading pension fund which includes hedge funds and other alternatives in its allocations, joins the line-up in a “Keynote Conversation”.
Other confirmed speakers for 2024 so far include Jeremy O’Friel of Belmont Investments in New York, whose company offers access to some of the world’s top hedge funds. This includes a qualified investor hedge fund (QIF) in South Africa which invests into Winton Capital Management, the global quantitative multi-strategy fund with $10 billion under management and a 25-year track record of delivering strong returns.
O’Friel has rare access to many global best-of-breed hedge fund managers and will bring valuable insights for a South African audience on many levels.
Also confirmed for the 2024 line-up is the important annual BlackRock Masterclass, which will be presented by Alex Orr, managing director and head of alternatives distribution in the UK & Africa.
Besides a unique and insightful agenda, the Symposium is known for its unparalleled networking opportunities, facilitating high-end discussions across the industry, notably between investors and fund managers.
As in previous years, the agenda will be accredited with CPD points for attendees.
Symposium topics will include:
- The global outlook in a poly-crisis world
- Climate change – how investors are responding
- Outlook: South African equity and fixed income
- AI and machine learning in hedge funds
- The evolving landscape for private debt
- Fostering new talent and new strategies
- What institutional investors need from hedge funds
- The retail investor phenomenon
- Investing offshore: finding an edge
Booking Rates
• Standard booking rate: $600/R9,240
• 15% discount for hedge fund managers and investors $510/R7,854
• 25% discount for HedgeNews Africa subscribers $450/R6,930
Only one discount applies
*ZAR rates are exclusive of VAT
**Applicable to standard booking rate only
Not-for-profit hedge fund investors, pension fund trustees and financial advisers are eligible for discounted rates. Please email events@hedgenewsafrica.com for information.
Download the Symposium booking form here, or alternatively, you can email your booking query to events@hedgenewsafrica.com.
For accommodation at the Vineyard Hotel or alternative options, please click here.
The HedgeNews Africa Symposium 2023 programme has been approved by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa. Members who attend will receive 7 CPD Hours, which are required to develop and maintain their capabilities to perform competently in their professional environments.
Programme
HedgeNews Africa Symposium 2024
07h00-07h50 Registration: Tea, coffee and refreshments
08h00-08h15 Welcome and introduction
08h15-09h00 Panel session: Investors face interconnected risks in a polycrisis world. Yet uncertainty does not negate opportunity. Panellists take a global view of the prospects in 2024 and beyond.
09h00-09h30 VIEWPOINT: RMB’s Manqoba Madinane examines South Africa’s complex landscape and the potential impact across asset classes.
09h30-10h15 South African equity panel: From risk to return: South Africa’s political and economic problems can overshadow the investability of its corporates. Equity-focused hedge fund managers examine the landscape and explain their edge.
10h15-11h00 South African fixed income panel: Fixed income investors are grappling with a volatile global macroeconomic environment and a barrage of domestic issues. Panellists explore opportunities across the yield curve, and what hedge funds can offer.
11h00-11h30 Tea, coffee, refreshments
IN CONVERSATION: A journey from hedge funds across alternatives to the brave new world of blockchain ventures. Marc de Kloe, Theta Capital (virtual)
11h30-12h00 Private debt is becoming a bigger component of the capital markets matrix. Panellists discuss the macro and micro factors that underscore the asset class.
OR
STREAM SESSION: BlackRock masterclass: Outlook 2024: A new era of alternatives. Presented by Alex Orr, managing director and head of alternatives distribution in the UK & Africa.
12h00-12h30 Clean energy and the path to net zero: The energy transition is, in effect, a commodities transition, spurring market volatility and uncertainty. Commodities players examine the imbalances in an evolving landscape.
OR
STREAM SESSION: An evolving marketplace: Trends, innovations and setbacks. Panellists discuss regulatory change, new products and emerging themes in alternative assets. Moderator: Craig French, Visio
12h30-13h00 IN CONVERSATION: Identifying the world’s best hedge fund managers Jeremy O’Friel, Belmont Investments, in conversation with Alan Yates, Peregrine Capital.
13h00-13h50 Lunch
IN CONVERSATION rescreen: A journey from hedge funds across alternatives to the brave new world of blockchain ventures. Marc de Kloe, Theta Capital (virtual)
14h00-14h30 KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: Leslie Ndawana, principal executive officer of the National Fund of Municipal Workers (NFMW), in conversation with Senzo Langa, deputy CIO of Alexander Forbes.
14h30-15h15 Democratising alternatives: Global institutions and family offices have historically made significant allocations to alternative investments to source growth and income, hedge against risks, and dampen portfolio volatility through diversification. How, and why, should alternatives appeal to a broader audience?
15h15-16h00 Financing the food chain: Alternative asset managers are funding important unlisted deals in trade and agriculture across Africa. How can investors participate?
16h00-16h45 AI and hedge funds: Artificial intelligence monopolised the markets in 2023, driving select stocks and industries. As AI continues to evolve, its influence on the hedge fund industry will only grow stronger. Are South African hedge fund managers embracing the opportunity?
16h45-17h00 Closing remarks
- This programme is provisional and subject to change at the organiser’s discretion
Speakers
Confirmed 2024 speakers include:
Brent Blankfield, Westbrooke
Andre Breedt, CFM
Jacobus Brink, Schmidt Family Office
Tatenda Chapinduka, Independent Alternatives
James Corkin, Steyn Capital Management
Aurélie Courdent, Peresec
Stephán Engelbrecht, Mazi NextGen
Emile Fourie, Orpheus Capital
Craig French, Visio
Anthea Gardner, Cartesian Capital
Charl Gous, Bateleur Capital
Jeleze Hattingh, Southchester
Jacques Haasbroek, Fairtree
Ryan Hill, Absa
Marc de Kloe, Theta Capital
Senzo Langa, Alexander Forbes
Johan Loubser, ENS
Yonela Makwetu, AIP Capital Management
Musa Malwandla, Differential Capital
Kagiso Mathole, Novare
Isaah Mhlanga, RMB
Simbai Myezwa, Investec
Niki Natarajan, In Ink (London)
Leslie Ndawana, National Fund for Municipal Workers
Theana Neveling, H4 Collective Investments
Nosibusiso Ngqondoyi, Old Mutual
Jeremy O’Friel, Belmont Investments
Nomathibana Okello, Terebinth Capital
Werner Opperman, 27Four
Alexander Orr, BlackRock
Mark Pienaar, Chrysalis Capital
Sanan Pillay, Sanlam
Matthew Pouncett, Laurium Capital
Hayden Reinders, Prescient/ASISA
Smital Rhambai, Futuregrowth
Kim Silberman, Matrix Fund Managers
Toreigh Stuart, Garrington Capital
George Tsinonis, RisCura
Neil Wilson, HedgeNews Africa
Mauritz van den Worm, Polar Star Management
Jean Pierre Verster, Protea Capital Management
Elmien Wagenaar, THINK.CAPITAL
Rowan Williams, Nitrogen Fund Managers
Alan Yates, Peregrine Capital
Who Attends?
The Symposium attracts the top hedge fund managers, investors and service providers focusing on the African region.
Our programme is created by an editorial team who track the industry year round, giving us the edge in creating a topical and timely agenda that covers the real issues in the market.
We facilitate executive-level discussions with company decision-makers on our impressive speaker list, contributing via panel sessions and keynote speeches.
The one-day forum is held in a closed-door environment with no other media present, allowing participants the freedom to engage in in-depth discussions as well as interactive Q&A sessions.
For a full list of companies that attended the 2023 HedgeNews Africa Symposium, please email events@hedgenewsafrica.com
Sponsors and Exhibits
The HedgeNews Africa Symposium offers an important opportunity for sponsors to showcase their products and services before a high-level audience.
We partner with top-tier industry players who are dedicated to building their brand at the highest levels while interacting with their target audience in a productive and informative environment.
The Symposium offers a premier sponsorship opportunity for:
• Prime brokers
• Investment banks
• Brokerage firms
• Accounting firms
• Lawyers
• Administrators
• Fund companies
If you are looking to enter the exciting African market or if your company offers access to untapped opportunities on the continent or the more developed South African space, you should consider partnering with us.
To discuss partnering with us further or if you would like to receive our marketing pack with more details, please contact Lindsay Mitchell.
Email: lindsay.mitchell@hedgenewsafrica.com
T: +27 21 8500585
Contact Us
Tel: +27 (0) 43 748 1283 / 6476
Fax: +27 (0) 86 549 6914
Email: events@hedgenewsafrica.com / aiden.davis@hedgenewsafrica.com
FAQ
Q. You have several discounts on offer. Can I have more than one discount applied to my booking?
Only one discount can be applied per booking.
Q. Is the Symposium for one day only?
Yes it is.
Q. Can I share my ticket with a colleague?
If you would like to share your ticket with a colleague you must apply in writing to us via email. A decision will be made at our discretion.
Q. Do I have to fill in a booking form or can I register over the telephone or by email?
We must receive a completed booking form.
Q. Does a ticket to the Symposium include a dinner seat at the HedgeNews Africa Awards Dinner?
No, a ticket to the Symposium does not include attendance at the HedgeNews Africa Awards. These tickets are sold separately.
Q. Is the HedgeNews Africa Awards Dinner always on the same day of the Symposium?
Yes. It is hosted in the evening.
Q. Can I pay for my booking by credit card?
Yes. You can pay by credit card. We will send you an email with the details of how to proceed.
Q. Can I cancel my booking and get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable and may be transferred only at the organiser’s discretion. Please note a ticket to the Symposium does not include attendance at the HedgeNews Africa Awards.
Q. Can I have a delegate list?
It is our policy not to release delegate lists. However, you can view a list of companies that attended the Symposium last year here.
Q. Can I claim CPD credits for this event?
Yes, you can. The Symposium programme is approved by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI).
Attendee Feedback
“We loved the event and the location.” – Simon Ruddick, Albourne Partners
“I enjoyed the cross section of speakers.” – Gary Linford, HighWater Limited
“The annual HedgeNews Africa Symposium has established itself as a benchmark industry event. I have found great value in the interactions and insights shared by peers and investors.” – Steve Liptz, 36ONE Asset Management