Media24 head of new business development Nic Robertson and online information strategist Eve Dmochowska have founded a body to represent and promote e-commerce in South Africa.<\/p>\n
According to its founders, the E-Commerce Association (TECA<\/a>) aims to promote online shopping in South Africa by building awareness, instilling confidence and increasing the skill set of stakeholders in the e-commerce industry.<\/p>\n Dmochowska currently acts as the head of the TECA steering committee and is a director of the board, while Robertson is the current executive chairman of the board. No other roles have been filled as yet.<\/p>\n TECA is currently being formulated and registered as a Section 21 (non-profit) South African company.<\/p>\n The group will represent large and small e-shop owners; brick and mortar stores that are including e-commerce as part of their omnichannel strategy; and service providers (platforms, payments, logistics, delivery, consultants).<\/p>\n The group has also noted that it plans to be directly involved with promoting online shopping in South Africa by creating specific growth projects.<\/p>\n “For example, the Awareness Committee will discuss and investigate the viability of a South African version of ‘Cyber Monday’, which will promote online deals on one specific day of the year, across hundreds of local online retailers,” it said.<\/p>\n It will also help alleviate widely-held security and privacy concerns by developing a “best practice” credo to be adopted by members.<\/p>\n “Think of it as the ‘Verified Shop’ functionality on BidorBuy or the ‘Trusted’ shop feature on PriceCheck.co.za,” it said.<\/p>\n The group also says it will serve “professional legal opinion” and also wants to represent the e-commerce industry in dialogue with government and other policy-setting bodies.<\/p>\n Notably, e-commerce in South Africa currently falls under Icasa’s jurisdiction.<\/p>\n Teca will also run surveys, workshops, conferences, roundtables and other networking opportunities related to the industry.<\/p>\n Membership is open to all aforementioned stakeholders, though fees and application procedures are yet to be finalised.<\/p>\n “This is expected to occur by the end of August 2014,” the group said.<\/p>\n Naspers sets sights on e-commerce and mobile<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Takealot: we will be the biggest e-commerce site in SA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on e-commerce<\/h3>\n