In this issue, we bring you opinions, articles and an update on news and events.

In this issue, we look at how growth across East African countries is bringing a wide range of opportunities for investors and the African diaspora in Go East. In Optimising South Africa we report on the Merchantec CEO Confidence Index which suggests the bottoming out of confidence as South Africa's CEOs look toward a better year in 2012.

In our Careers section, we look at how the quality of business schools in Africa and the emerging markets is increasingly being recognised by international employers in Business School Report .

Also in this section, our careers coach offers advice on giving feedback at work in Ask the Career Coach – 'I'm Worried about Giving Feedback'

In Schooling Across Borders we talk to Funke Ogunshola about the challenges involved in sending children abroad to private school in Africa and how her organisation is providing support with the process. In Second African Diaspora Marketplace we report on the second phase of a successful initiative by Western Union to create entrepreneurial solutions to economic and social challenges in Africa.

Our guest interviewee in this month's 5 Minute Interview is Grace Alalade – Organisational Change Expert who shares some of the lessons she has learned along the way.

January sees an extensive line-up of events in the UK and overseas and our Events listing gives you details of what’s on this month and some un-missable Dates for your Diary.

ReConnect Africa acts as a Media Partners for numerous events in Africa and around the world. Visit our Media Partnerships web page so you can keep abreast of upcoming events that we are promoting.

Keep up to date with events across Africa with constant breaking news from Africa through Thomson Reuters on the ReConnect Africa website. Catch up on news from the UK and around the world in bite sized chunks with our News Round feature.

Share your comments about our articles or write into our Letters page and let us know what you think about ReConnect Africa.

We visit the ReConnect Africa Library and give you another chance to read Gearing for Growth in a Changed World . on why if you give people what they want first, they are likely to accept anything else you want them to have.

Finally, check out this month's Editorial - Just Pick One – and let me know what you think.

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Keep up with the latest from South Africa on our dedicated portal, ReConnect South Africa, where we bring you features, articles, news feeds and highlight some of the key events taking place in and about South Africa.

ReConnect Africa.com brings you a wealth of information from jobs on the ReConnect Jobs website to our listings and features.

Revisit previous issues and browse through the hundreds of articles in the ReConnect Library.

Whether you need to write a great CV, make the right impact at interview or need help with your plans to find a job in Africa, our range of careers services are tailor made for your needs.

Other information you can find includes:

Enjoy this issue and the new website and please write in to me and share your comments!