Business leaders are being offered the chance to have their photo taken with the Olympic torch while learning about trading opportunities with South Africa.

Guests at The South African Trade event, at Cannizaro House in Wimbledon Village, will meet with some of the UK’s foremost experts on South African trade.

Merton's Chamber of Commerce, who are helping to organise the event, said they have been working over the past two years to help South London businesses benefit from the 2012 games.

Diana Sterck, MCC’s cheif executive, said “This event will kick start the countdown to 2012, with an exciting exhibition of South African businesses based in South London as well as sources of help on South Africa and Olympic advice.”

The networking event on January 19, will not only offer business leaders the chance to learn how to diversify and expand their businesses, participants can also have their photograph taken with the Olympic Torch.

With preparations underway for the tennis and the South African Olympic team being based at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, the Wimbledon area is believed to have plenty of trading opportunities with the ‘Rainbow Nation’.

South Africa is fourth on the UK Government’s list for key emerging markets for global investors, while the UK is considered one of its key foreign direct investors.

Its current trade activity, currently estimated at more than £8bn, is set to double after a pledge by the Government to meet challenging targets after a visit by President Jacob Zuma to London in 2010.

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