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The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber joins the rest of South Africa in commemorating National Youth Day, to recognise the contribution that young people have made to freedom in South Africa. This year, both the National Youth Day and Youth Month are being celebrated under the theme: “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”. To help combat youth unemployment and foster economic growth, the Chamber has partnered with KPI Solutions to implement the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“Youth unemployment levels are unacceptably high and is a critical challenge in South Africa, including metros like Nelson Mandela Bay. Recognising the urgency to empower the youth and bridge the employment gap, the Chamber has pursued a targeted approach through the YES programme to facilitate a hands-on learning and skills development by placing them in diverse industries to gain invaluable work experience and exposure to different career paths,” says Denise van Huyssteen, Chamber chief executive officer. 

Through the YES programme, the parties have facilitated the placement of unemployed youth in various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that participate on the various Chamber Entrepreneurship service interventions, underscoring the transformative power of providing opportunities for the youth while capacitating MSMEs in a win-win strategy.

Between 2022 and 2024, we successfully placed 62 interns with 27 MSMEs across the Metro. The Chamber’s objective is to capacitate MSMEs while tackling the challenge of increasing unemployment in Nelson Mandela Bay which is currently at 32.4% in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Latest Quarterly Labour Force Results.

The Chamber’s research indicates that MSMEs are still not playing their envisaged role of creating adequate employment opportunities and remain stagnant as they are faced with various challenges relating to operational inefficiencies, as well as access to training, funding and resources. It further reveals that 40% of the MSMEs have a sole employee – the business owner, while the largest proportion (69%) employ between 1-5 employees.

The Chamber is further working with the Nelson Mandela University’s Student Entrepreneurship unit and Rosebank College to harness and support efforts designed to increase student entrepreneurial intentions, and supporting existing studentprenuers. The Chamber does this by matching students with MSMEs for shadowing, while availing MSMEs registered with the Entrepreneurship Desk for targeted sessions. 

Van Huyssteen says spearheading efforts dedicated to attracting and retaining investment, next month the Chamber will be launching a Trade and Investment Desk, with the core objectives and focus areas encompassing investment destination marketing under the theme of Bay of Opportunity; economic research and data availability, inward and outbound buyer delegations, international trade exhibitions, and Business-to-Business linkages. These efforts are driven to have a direct and indirect impact on local employment creation opportunities.

As part of efforts to retain and create manufacturing industry opportunities, the Chamber recently launched its Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank, which will run targeted workstreams to take viable ideas into viability studies, and ultimately the most feasible will be implemented.

Van Huyssteen highlights that “Key to this endeavour is the commitment of organised business to collaborate with key stakeholders in identifying opportunities aimed at retaining and creating investment and jobs in the Metro.”

These efforts, along with their Chamber interventions, are aimed at repositioning the local economy, fostering a competitive environment, and ultimately ensuring a sustainable future for the youth and the broader community of Nelson Mandela Bay.

SPAR Eastern Cape divisional managing director Siyolo Dick has been elected as President of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

Dick pledged to lead the drive to unlock and connect Nelson Mandela Bay’s advantages that position the metro as Africa’s Bay of Opportunity with potential to be a diverse manufacturing and exports hub for the African continent.

He succeeds civil engineer Loyiso Dotwana, chair of the NAKO Group, who handed over the reins at a Board meeting last night. Dotwana, who has served the allowed term as President, moves into the Immediate Past President role to ensure continuity of the Chamber’s strategic direction.

Dick, 46, said that the Business Chamber was a key player in providing the metro’s diverse businesses with “a collective voice at the table” to influence positive change and promote the best interests of business, as generators of investment and employment.

“It is a privilege to be trusted to lead organised business in a pivotal time of change and challenges, as well as opportunities.

“Nelson Mandela Bay has strong advantages in two ports, a strategic geo-location and the nodes of intermodal logistics connectivity, albeit in need of improvement. We have a strong base in manufacturing and advanced technology, backed up with a skilled labour pool and capabilities in research and innovation support.

“We are a metro of manageable size and have a fantastic natural environment for tourism and leisure, conservation and leveraging into a green economy.

“The opportunities and advantages are in front of us, and I am looking forward to playing a role in unleashing the potential of this metro and its people,” he said.

NMB Business Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen said she looked forward to working with Dick to unlock the potential of the Bay of Opportunity in order to retain and attract investment and employment.

She paid tribute to Dotwana, who has served on the Board since 2017 and led the organisation on a reinvention path of business activism and a progressive approach to offering solutions and taking positive action to improve the enabling environment for business.

“Loyiso has focused strongly on ensuring that the Chamber is relevant to business in the issues that we pursue, in the results delivered, and in the services that we provide to our members.

“He is an excellent facilitator of collaboration and a sharp strategist who has been instrumental in the reinvention of the Business Chamber as a relevant and active voice of business. We are fortunate that he will still be contributing his strategic thinking and active involvement to the Chamber,” Van Huyssteen said.

Dick was a Deputy President of the Chamber before his election to the President’s seat.

He chairs the Perseverance Business Association, a Chamber-supported initiative that has united businesses in the area to tackle basic service delivery problems hampering business and manufacturing operations. Their successful interventions include protecting the local substation against vandalism and theft, and moving the municipality to address issues such as potholes and non-operating streetlights.

Van Huyssteen said that the Perseverance businesses’ collective efforts were a trailblazing initiative leading to other businesses in the metro following suit and the formation of 11 geographic business clusters to date.

“Siyolo exemplifies the unique commitment of NMB businesses to rolling up their sleeves and offering solutions and resources to make a meaningful difference rather than the old approach of just complaining from the sidelines.

“I am looking forward to working with him to strengthen the Chamber’s membership base and collaborative partnerships both locally and nationally,” she said.

KwaNobuhle-born and raised, Dick holds a BTech in Human Resources and an MBA degree from Nelson Mandela University. He was the youngest-ever appointment to a divisional executive position in SPAR Eastern Cape and has led award-winning teams in the company.

He served as SPAR Eastern Cape Divisional Human Resources Executive, Divisional Information Technology Executive and Divisional Distribution Executive before being appointed to his current position as Managing Director of SPAR Eastern Cape in 2022.

At its first Board meeting following the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting on 6 June, the Board also welcomed newly-elected members Nomfundo Faltein, Andre Keet, Thuto Maepa and Siya Mthembu.

Kelvin Naidoo of Auto-X continues as Deputy President, and lead for the Chamber’s key forward-looking Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank, while BDO Partner Siya Mthembu takes over from Gugu Nxiweni of the Improvate Group as Treasurer.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has conferred special recognition to outgoing Board Members for their outstanding service to the Chamber.

Dr Andrew Muir

Globally recognised conservationist Dr Andrew Muir, who chairs the Nelson Mandela Bay Climate Coalition and is also the CEO of the Wilderness Foundation Africa, was awarded for his role as President and Immediate Past President.

Dr Muir played an active role in leading the Chamber during Covid-19 with regards to supporting hospitals with increased bed capacity, the storage and distribution of medical supplies and securing of much-needed protective gear and other key medical supplies.

In 2021, Dr Muir led a study to assess how climate change will impact Nelson Mandela Bay. The study provides an outlook from 2021-2040 and highlights the impact that extreme storm surges, rising sea levels and temperature increases will have on the Metro.

He is also leading a team of local Bay experts under the auspices of the Wilderness Foundation Africa who have been tasked, to not only assess the best science and data on the Metro as it relates to climate change, but to engage as wide a range of stakeholders across the Metro to develop the Climate Change Resilience Development Strategy Framework (CRDS) which serves as a crucial "toolbox" to guide local stakeholders and development initiatives towards climate resilience. The framework not only aims to prepare the metro for climate-related threats but also seeks to identify pathways for positive development.

Gugu Nxiweni

A qualified chartered accountant and executive chairman of Improvate Group, Gugu Nxiweni’s financial expertise and leadership as Treasurer have played a crucial role in maintaining the Chamber's fiscal integrity, ensuring that it continues to operate effectively and responsibly. His track record in both the public and private sectors speaks to his professionalism and commitment to excellence. During his tenure, he has contributed to the Chamber’s achievement in attaining unqualified audit opinions.

Nxiweni ensured that the Chamber’s sound financial management and control prevailed at all times. His contribution to the Chamber’s Finance Committee has been immense given his experience as a qualified auditor, risk management practitioner and businessman. Additionally he played an important role in the Chamber’s Human Resources REMCO committee.

Other recognitions included the Chamber President Loyiso Dotwana and outgoing Board Members Dr Sibongile Muthwa and Mike Neubert for outstanding service and loyal service, respectively.

Dotwana is who is currently the NAKO Group and NAKO ILISO Board Chairman, and before this, he was the executive director responsible for business development at NAKO Group and NAKO ILISO since November 2000. He is Chairman of Blackwood Power, a renewable energy business, as well as a founder and director of the listed mining company Afrimat Limited and an independent non-executive director of Hyprop Investments Ltd.

In this role as President, he is responsible for leading the Chamber Board in determining its strategic direction, to drive for economic growth and an enabling environment for Nelson Mandela Bay. He has lead the charge in bringing relevance to the Chamber and its members through a re-energised, agile and action-orientated strategy.

Though his tenure comes to an end soon, he will not be lost to the Chamber as he will step into the Immediate Past President role where he will continue providing leadership expertise as part of the Board.

Dr Muthwa is Nelson Mandela University’s current Vice-Chancellor and has worked in both development and public sector institutions, as well as in academia. She will be stepping down as a board member after serving a seven-year tenure which saw her contributing in advancing the Chamber’s mission and vision.

Neubert, a qualified chartered accountant and current Managing Director for Momentum Health, also serves in the Chamber’s Beachfront Cluster Manco. Both Muthwa and Neubert have been recognised for the invaluable contribution to the Chamber.

Commenting during the ceremony, Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen said the recognitions underscored the important role played by business leaders who serve as volunteer in helping to drive the Chamber’s vision of strengthening its position as a leading catalyst for Nelson Mandela Bay to retain and attract investment.

“Too often, talks and plans just lead to more talks and more planning, with little action and implementation. However, we are privileged as to have the caliber of the leadership we have with business leaders who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources in helping to achieve the ease of doing business in the Metro. Their out-of-the-box and action orientated thinking has contributed immensely in the success of our interventions to benefit our members and the Metro at large,” says Van Huyssteen.

Van Huyssteen further highlights that “as a business community we have hope in the future – we know that this is the Bay of Opportunity. It starts with all of us believing in the potential and taking action to drive things forward in the right direction.”

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has taken a significant step towards further enhancing its capacity and achieving its strategic goals by appointing four new board members at its 14th Annual General Meeting held at the Boardwalk Conference Centre yesterday.

The new board members are Nomfundo Faltein, the Managing Director at Orion Engineered Carbons; Professor Andre Keet, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at Nelson Mandela University; Thuto Maepa, the Group Executive Human Resources at Sovereign Foods; and Siyabonga Mthembu, Partner at BDO South Africa.

Chamber President Loyiso Dotwana says these new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the Chamber, aiding in the pursuit of its mission to retain and attract investment and jobs in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“The Chamber is excited about the calibre of the new additions to our board as they come from different sectors and bring diverse expertise in their respective roles. This will go a long way in injecting much-needed energy and agility in the Board as each individual brings unique qualities and fresh eyes.”

More about the new Board Members:

Nomfundo Faltein

Nomfundo Faltein, the Managing Director of Orion Engineered Carbons, has over 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry having worked in all disciplines of Quality Management in manufacturing environments. She joined Orion Engineered Carbons in 2017 as Quality Manager and in 2022, was later promoted to her current leadership role. She holds various qualifications including an MBA from the Nelson Mandela University.

Professor André Keet

Professor André Keet currently holds the Research Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation and is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at Nelson Mandela University. He is a former Visiting Professor at the Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality,

Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University, UK and the 2018 Marsha Lilien Gladstein Visiting Professor of Human Rights at the University of Connecticut.

He served as Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and on the Commission for Gender Equality, before joining the university sector. Since entering the higher education field, Prof Keet has held professorial positions at the universities of Pretoria, Fort Hare and Free State. He has been serving as transformation advisor and practitioner in various capacities in the sector.

His research and post-graduate supervision focus on radical approaches to the study of higher education, such as critical and abolitionist university studies.

Siyabonga Mthembu

Siyabonga Mthembu is currently Partner at BDO SA and is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than ten years’ experience in the profession. He started his working career at Deloitte in Durban, followed by a number of years in the United Kingdom where he was seconded as a Financial Accountant at Tarmac Holdings. During his time in the UK, he gained experience in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

His experience as a Chief Financial Officer at mining services company Carocept has provided him with experience in financial management and overseeing financials for all areas of the business. Before joining BDO, Siyabonga worked as an Associate Director at Ernst & Young(EY), where he worked on clients such as Moolmans Pty Ltd, Saab South Africa Pty Ltd, Assmang (Pty) Ltd and Siemens South Africa, to name a few.

Siya’s sector experience includes mining, construction and manufacturing.

Thuto Maepa

Thuto Maepa, is currently the Group Executive Human Resources at Sovereign Foods. She previously served in different roles at Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, Standard Bank, SA Nkosi and Company and SA Nkosi and Company. Thuto holds an Executive Development Programme from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. She has extensive experience in Performance Management, Human Resources, Change Management, Succession Planning, Employee Relations and more.