The iLembe Chamber of Commerce played a key role in negotiating disputes between the private and public sectors last year.

As an intermediary between business and government, the chamber worked to resolve issues around transport and electricity and to promote ease-of-business across the iLembe district.

Tensions around staff transport were in part settled by the formalisation of the KDM Public Transport Forum. A guide and best practices for transporting workers was also published in collaboration with the KwaDukuza municipality and the provincial transport department. The guide can be found on the chamber’s website.

Goods transport was also a focus, particularly with the damage to the P103 (Esenembe Road) and P104 (Glendale Road) which were damaged in the 2022 floods. The chamber has pushed for repairs, citing dangers to businesses serviced by the roads.

The KwaDukuza Electrical Task Team, which was created to tackle the power crisis on KwaDukuza’s southern grid, also has chamber representation.

In the iLembe Business Confidence Index, prepared biannually by the chamber and Enterprise iLembe, it was revealed that the local manufacturing industry is struggling. The district’s main manufacturing hub at Isithebe Industrial Park, near Mandeni, is in disrepair and has low tenant rates. Isithebe accounts for 45% of iLembe’s manufacturing capacity. The chamber has lobbied for public stakeholders to revitalise the park, while also increasing focus on KwaDukuza’s Alderman Maurice Duminy Industrial Area.

“These efforts, to highlight just a few, are central to the iLembe business community’s commitment to the region, promoting inclusive growth, reducing inequality and creating jobs – and restoring the path to realising our wider region’s economic potential,” said chamber President, Nkonzo Mhlongo, at the chamber’s AGM last week. Mhlongo is the corporate affairs executive at Tongaat Hulett.

The chamber enjoyed a positive financial year, increasing revenue by 15% year-on-year and breaking the R5-million mark for the first time. It received an unqualified audit, with auditors citing strong financial stability and prudent resource allocation.

Membership revenue was up 5% from 2023 and the chamber has made efforts to ease the burden on small businesses and reward loyal members for the upcoming year. Businesses with less than 20 employees will see no fee increase, while an average 5% increase will be implemented on those larger.

Additionally, businesses with uninterrupted five-year membership will receive a 10% discount, while there are also incentives for prompt payment of fees going forward.
Find out more on the chamber’s website at ilembechamber.co.za

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.