This with the promulgation of the Protection of Personal Information Bill, and the soon-to-be implemented Consumer Protection Act which will enhance the protection of the consumers already provided by the National Credit Act.

Originally set to be implemented on 24 October 2010, the Consumer Protection Act has already had its implementation postponed to the last day in March 2011, providing a significant reprieve to embed new systems and habits. And the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) is determined to make sure that its members are empowered to make this happen.

The ramifications of these more stringent rights and obligations for retailers throughout SA will be firmly in the spotlight at the 14th Annual African Congress of Shopping Centres, hosted by SACSC and sponsored by Growthpoint Properties is scheduled to take place in Cape Town this month.

“This year’s congress theme is Balance and Responsibility - an apt backdrop against which to examine SA's consumer protection legislation,” says SACSC congress chairman Julie Hillary.

The Act aims to promote a fair, accessible and sustainable market place for consumer products and services, and makes South Africans amongst the most protected consumers in the world.

Providing protection against discriminatory marketing, the rights of consumers according to the new Act include the right to privacy, choice, disclosure of information, fair and responsible marketing, fair and honest dealing, fair and just and reasonable terms and conditions, fair value and good quality and safety and accountability from suppliers.

Thus, while consumers need not worry about their rights anymore, sellers now have to.

“This is the ideal forum to ensure that retailers and shopping centre managers are aware of the Consumer Protection Act in general terms and consider its operational implications.”

Respected broadcaster John Perlman, along with Christo Van Wyk will be presenting an overview of the Consumer Protection Act on October 14. The half hour session forms part of a pivotal sitting dedicated to analyzing retail within the economic context, and includes experts like Barnard Jacobs Mellet CEO Andile Mazwai.

Still, consumer protection legislation is not the only topical issue on the Congress of Shopping Centre’s agenda.

International speakers scheduled to present at the congress include, among others, Jacqueline Gold, high-profile chief executive of Gold Group International which includes UK brands Ann Summers and Knickerbox. Gold is one of Britain's most charismatic and successful businesswomen and an inspiration to thousands of women. She has been voted the second most powerful woman in retail by Retail Week UK.

Other much-anticipated speakers will include director of development at Portland Design UK Alan Thompson, and David Kneale, CEO of Clicks Group.

The 14th annual African Congress of Shopping Centres, supported by the International Council of Shopping Centre (ICSC) and sponsored by Growthpoint Properties, will take place from 13 to 15 October, 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or online www.sascscongress.co.za