Page 2 - KZN Business Sense 5.2

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Thekwini Municipality, Some of the guest speakers (and importance of narrative in our The potential for story to have a
which has been designated authors) included Terry Bell, lives. Head of Parks, Recreation direct influence on our daily lives
Eas an UNESCO City of Zakes Mda, Nozizwe Jele, Imraan and Culture at the eThekwini is especially relevant in a world
Literature in Africa, recently Coovadia, Rosie Motene, Melusi Municipality, Thembinkosi where social media platforms –
hosted the Articulate Africa Tshabalala, Albie Sachs and Ngcobo. “Books and visual art are Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
Book and Art Fair at the the South African poet laureate about telling our own stories as a – allow much greater access and KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS
Durban Exhibition Centre. The Mongane Wally Serote. people in a way that we want to tell immediacy to stories. In addition, CHAMBERS COUNCIL :
flagship event was organised by Topics included: social media, them. Therefore, they are about the stories that are shared are Chairperson: Judith Nzimande
the eThekwini Municipality’s Apartheid, the land issue, women cultural preservation. Whatever often shaped by the medium used
arts and culture department experience you have, put it down to convey them. Secretariat: Lihle Msweli
with the theme ‘Expect the in society, men’s issues, blessers, on paper or painting. It is your T: +27 (0)35 797 1807
Unexpected’. The goal of the as well as travel, fantasy and art. own story and your story will be How we engage with these M: +27 (0)83 571 0486
fair was to promote arts and One of the overriding themes respected.” platforms often needs to be Address: ZCBF Community Park,
questioned and many of the
literature to Durbanites. of the three-day fair was the Gate 5, Business Community
Throughout history, people ‘stories’ should not be accepted
have told stories to share wisdom, at face value. We need to Building 1st Floor, Guldengracht
entertain, inform, motivate, or consciously evaluate the content Street, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-
to teach a new skill. The values before we respond to it, especially Natal, South Africa
of society are reflected in the in the light of the internal stories Email: LMsweli@kbcc.co.za
stories and often reveal that we that we tell ourselves. Website: www.kznchamber.co.za
are dealing with common issues
in our daily lives. Stories allow us We as South Africans are
This is especially relevant as
to deal with the past – the heroes bombarded with a variety of many of us are about to play a role
‘stories’ on a daily basis and they
and the villains – and plan for the play a part in how we live our in creating a new part of the South
future. Consequently, many of daily lives. The question we can African story when we go to the
these stories have had the power polls on the 8 May 2019.
to shape our lives and to influence ask is, “What should we be doing
actions. to contributing positively to the What will our story be…? 
South African story?

PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND EXPORT FOR KZN

EC commends Durban process. Virtually every country in “Certificates of Origin help to level of quality, implementing The Durban Chamber is the
Chamber for its the world considers the origin of promote KwaZulu-Natal and South transparent and accountable biggest issuer of COOs in South
Mrole in promoting imported goods when determining Africa as a tried and tested export verification procedures and in Africa and a member of SACCI.
International Trade and Export the duty that will be applied or, destination for certain goods and accordance with international This is a national body mandated
for KZN through issuance of in some cases, whether the goods products,” said MEC Zikalala. best practices,” said Zikalala. by the Department of Trade and
Certificates of Origin. may be legally imported at all,” Industry, via Business Unity
explained Palesa Phili, Durban “As the department continues “Export and trade play a crucial South Africa’s facilitation, to
Concerns have been raised Chamber CEO. to clamp down on illegal role in promoting sustainable accredit an issuing chamber to
and directed at South African business operations that and inclusive economic growth ensure that it has the capability
Chamber of Commerce and Mr Sihle Zikalala, MEC for threaten economic growth in for KwaZulu-Natal and South
Industry (SACCI) about the rising Economic Development, Tourism our province, we commend the Africa as a whole. They contribute and capacity to issue COOs as
practice of fraudulent Certificates and Environmental Affairs, has Durban Chamber of Commerce to GDP growth and also drive well as comply with regulatory
of Origin being issued in South commended the Durban Chamber as our private sector partner industrialisation, manufacturing, requirements. As custodian and
Africa and used to extort for providing such an important for ensuring that important technology adoption and much accreditation body for issuing
importers of their funds. accredited service to its members instruments of trade such as needed infrastructure upgrades,” chambers SACCI interacts with
and organised business at large. COOs are issued with the highest he added. government bodies such as the
The Durban Chamber of South African Revenue Service’s
Commerce and Industry, a SACCI Customs department and the
member, has a decades-long Department of International
history of issuing Certificates Relations and Cooperation.
of Origin (COOs) and trade
certifications. The Durban Alan Mukoki, CEO of SACCI,
Chamber’s credibility in this advised that businesses need
area is extended by the fact to ensure that they work with
that it is a SARS authorised accredited and compliant issuing
and International Chamber of chambers in order to ensure that
Commerce (ICC) accredited issuer their COOs are processed correctly
of COOs and trade certification. and reduce the risk of fraud and
loss of revenue.
“A COO is an important
international trade document that “SACCI has been put under
certifies that goods in a particular pressure by DTI to tighten
export shipment are wholly controls over the issuing of
obtained, produced, manufactured certificates and this applies
or processed in a particular also to non-compliant issuing
country. It also serves as an official chambers and SACCI intends
declaration by the exporter adding to open a criminal case against
credibility to their product or the people engaged in such illicit
service and the export/import activity,” said Mukoki. 

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