South Coast Chamber calls on businesses to join up
The chamber also wants to target rural businesses.
Goals of the South Coast Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCCI) new leadership include to engage with its members one-on-one and to grow its membership from its current 100 plus to about 300 by next year.
For the next two years, the SCCCI is under the guidance of Lulumile Bodla (president), Zama Memela (first vice-president) and Reshma Maharaj (second vice-president).
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The organisation is based at the SmartXchange Building in Port Shepstone.
“We appeal to members to visit our office. We are here to help where needed, especially as the Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in businesses facing difficulties,”said Mr Bodla.
At the meeting it was also highlighted that according to the Economic Development Cluster, between 100 and 120 businesses had closed their doors in the Ugu District.
While these businesses were not members of the SCCCI, Mr Bodla said it was of concern as jobs were lost and the economy depended on people who were working.
He said the focus is also to have robust engagement with Ugu District on issues of water and road infrastructure (potholes).
“The chamber is part of the infrastructure development cluster and we have raised our concerns with Ugu. Ugu has promised they are working on it.”
As Ms Memela comes comes from a family business background, she understands the importance of legacy.
“The objective is to support the smaller businesses, to help them become self-sufficient by reducing costs for them,” she said.
She also intends to showcase more women and increase youth representation.
Ms Maharaj encouraged businesses to join the SCCCI, for which they will pay an annual fee.
“Partner with us. The chamber has a strong presence. We want to promote local to a national platform or even further,”she said.
She added that information technology was new to some longstanding businesses and as it is the platform to use for exposure, the chamber will hold relevant skills training such as social media workshops as a promotion tool for its members.
According to Ms Memela, the youth are using Instagram and Facebook to promote their businesses, rather than websites.
The chamber also wants to target rural businesses.
The idea is to empower emerging businesses and encourage job creation rather than an influx of people coming into towns looking for employment.
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