New business chamber is set on improving Hazyview’s local economy

The mission of the newly established Hazyview Business Chamber (HBC) is to see the town as a prime business destination and to be a force of sustainable economic growth.

“Our vision is to be the voice of the people, for the people,” said one of HBC’s founding members, André Visser, at the first HBC members meeting on Thursday 15 April. Visser is also on the national and provincial council for the Small Businesses Institute (SBI), which will back and guide the new HBC.

The HBC was founded to provide support to the economy of Hazyview by means of job creation, cooperation with local government and sustainable economic growth.

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“This business chamber is important because it will ensure that the business community will be in a position to form joint bargaining power, and joint forces will help sustain economic growth and contribute towards job creation in the area,” said Winda Austin-Loeve, an advisor to the chamber.

According to Visser, the HBC must be in consultation with other stakeholders in the community, it must act proactively, it must be dynamic and must always strive to be of service to the Hazyview business community.

“To be the voice of the people, for the people, we must be in constant collaboration with the various community stakeholders,” he said. “The HBC’s sole purpose is to service the community.”

The South African Local Government Association (Salga), the governing body of all municipalities in the country, will also play a crucial role in the HBC.

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“In my view, effective collaboration with local government is the most important function of the business community,” added Austin-Loeve. “Having Salga on board will allow local issues to be escalated by the SBI to the national committee.”

The HBC is a non-profit, non-political organisation.

A member of the City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM), Jerry Nxumalo, has been appointed as chairperson for the HBC.

The HBC is inviting members to its next meeting, which is planned to take place at the end of April, or the beginning of May. For more information, contact dr. Elsabé Conradie at elsabe@delgadohealth.co.za