The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber recently underwent its first B-BBEE audit and has achieved B-BBEE Level 3 status on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecard. This accomplishment highlights the Chamber’s steadfast commitment to advancing economic transformation and fostering sustainable growth within the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
Commenting on the development, Denise van Huyssteen, the Chamber’s chief executive officer, said “We are thrilled to have achieved B-BBEE Level 3 status, which not only reflects the progress the Chamber has made in transforming in key areas of its operations but also reinforces its broader commitment to the socio economic development of the Bay. This further strengthens our position in driving positive change and fostering an inclusive economy within Nelson Mandela Bay and its surrounding areas.”
The Chamber anticipates that this accreditation will enable it, on behalf of its members, to pursue enterprise development and supplier development projects which support its vision of retaining and attracting investment and employment in the Bay.
Van Huyssteen emphasised that the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Desk supports 350 businesses, of which almost 70% are black owned and 57% are female owned. “The critical work undertaken through this Desk is supported by a number of our members through various measures that include their Enterprise Development and Supplier Development spend and has a direct impact on the sustainability and growth of these businesses.”
Going forward we will continue to accelerate our efforts through project opportunities which are being pursued through our Trade and Investment Desk, Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank and the soon to be launched Skills Development Desk.
With a strong belief in the power of empowering and uplifting local businesses, the Chamber remains dedicated to playing a central role in the positioning and development of the metro as The Bay of Opportunity, a diversified manufacturing hub on the African continent.
“We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with our members and stakeholders which ultimately is driven to build an economy which is centred upon inclusive growth and participation,” concluded Van Huyssteen.
Find Business Accommodation in Gqeberha HERE
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is a beautiful city located on the coast in the Eastern Cape Province and is known as the “Friendly City”, with other towns in this district including Kariega (Uitenage) and Despatch. Forming part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha has stunning beaches, historical museums and memorials, award-winning wildlife sanctuaries and super friendly people, making it a spectacular holiday destination.
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Spooky Electric
Wendy Luhabe\’s first step into entrepreneurship came in 1991 when she launched Bridging the Gap, a consulting firm that assists young black South Africans entering the working world. In 1993, she launched Women Investment Portfolio Holdings, the first fund to provide capital to women-owned businesses in South Africa. In 2002, she launched Africa\’s first Women-Focused Private Equity Fund. She also published her first book entitled: Defining Moments: Experiences of Black Executives in South Africa\’s Workplace. Luhabe launched her Foundation in 2002, to educate young disadvantaged black women, particularly from rural areas. In 2011, Luhabe was asked by Hillary Clinton to join the International Council on Women\’s Business Leadership (ICWBL). In 2014, she was appointed Member of the Board at The Abraaj Group, a global investment firm. In 2014, she was awarded Woman of Worth from the Jewish Achievers Awards in South Africa. In 2014, she was awarded the Lieutenant of the Victorian Order (LVO) by the British Royal Family. In 2015, she was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards.