Is it over? Sanlam & South Africa Fashion Week

A few days ago, I read an article by one of South Africa's most noted Fashion Critic's Jacquie Myburgh, that made me ask the question, "is it over for the partnership between Sanlam, South Africa's financial giant and South Africa Fashion Week?" Another source that I decided to go with was Justine Stafford, Editor, i for One, who ran a review, "What Now?" about the split between the mentioned entities. My question was short lived when I received a statement from Kaelo Worldwide Media stating that the partnership between Sanlam and South Africa Fashion Week has come to an end. According to the statement, after four years of partnering with Sanlam, the naming rights to South Africa Fashion Week and its various associate properties are available. Sanlam made a strategic decision in September 2009 not to renew it’s sponsorship of South Africa Fashion Week from 2010 onwards as it looks to consolidate it’s portfolio. South Africa Fashion Week has been aware of the strategic re-alignment of Sanlam's sponsorship portfolio for some time and has through their exclusive commercial rights partner, Kaelo Worldwide Media, been in the market talking to a number of potential naming rights and other partners. Kelvin Watt, Director, Kaelo Worldwide Media, states "we expect that a new naming rights partner will be announced by the end of November 2009".

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In my opinion, I hope that the new brand alignment of South Africa Fashion Week will continue towards their trend of new media. With just a click of my mouse, I together with countless global fashion industry players will be able to follow the latest developments on South Africa's longest running, groundbreaking Fashion Week (South Africa Fashion Week) via Twitter; Facebook; YouTube or Blogger. Not sure, if the other Fashion Weeks in South Africa can say the same? So, yes it's true, Sanlam and South Africa Fashion Week will be going their seperate ways. V. Photo: Ivan Naude/SSAFW