Events

Meetings Africa 2025: countdown to the Premier Pan-African event begins

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2025

Meetings Africa 2025, hosted in Johannesburg, will connect global business leaders and spotlight Africa’s diverse destinations and opportunities

The countdown to *Meetings Africa 2025* has officially begun, and with less than a month to go, excitement is building across the continent.

On 1 February 2025, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was buzzing with activity as the media launch event for this eagerly anticipated gathering was held.

The event, hosted by South African Tourism in partnership with the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Johannesburg Tourism Company, and the Sandton Convention Centre, is set to take place from 24 to 26 February 2025 at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, in the Gauteng Province.

This year’s edition promises to be even more significant, as it paves the way for the historic G20 Summit, which will be hosted on African soil for the very first time in November 2025.

In 2024, *Meetings Africa* generated an impressive economic impact of R145 million directly, with an additional R275 million in indirect impact.

This brought the total contribution to South Africa’s economy to R420 million. This success builds on the achievements of 2023, when the event contributed R388.5 million, with R133.9 million coming directly and R254.5 million indirectly into the country’s economy.

Speaking at the media launch, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Honourable Patricia de Lille, emphasised the event’s importance in connecting Africa’s business events stakeholders with influential international buyers.

“*Meetings Africa 2025* aims to continue to spotlight Africa’s diverse destinations and unique offerings for business events by unlocking Africa’s Opportunities Through Quality Connections,” she remarked.

“The event serves as a platform for business deals, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector partnerships, with a strong emphasis on enabling meaningful networking opportunities to support industry growth.”

Mlungisi Mabaso, Acting Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, also addressed the audience during the launch. He highlighted the economic benefits of hosting such major events, stating, “As a city of a thousand hellos, we are the beating heart of business connections for South Africa and the continent.

Events like *Meetings Africa* not only attract visitors to our shores, but they also create economic opportunities that generate jobs, boost our township economy, and grow our already solid reputation as a premier business hub for the continent.”

**Event Highlights:**

– **Business Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay):** 24 February 2025
– **Exhibition Days:** 25-26 February 2025
– **Venue:** Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

With the business tourism sector continuing to grow, *Meetings Africa 2025* is set to become a cornerstone of the African events calendar.

The event’s continued success underscores South Africa’s position as a global leader in business tourism and a gateway to Africa’s vast economic opportunities.

For more information and to register, visit [www.meetingsafrica.co.za](http://www.meetingsafrica.co.za).

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.