Page 2 - KZN Business Sense 8.3 - Ebook

DURBAN BUSINESS IN ‘CRITICAL

CONDITION’ AFTER WEEKEND FLOODS

Lyse Comins halted the recovery process “This latest flash of rain, “We are leaning on government
in a city where businesses which can only be described as to be swift in their response
urban businesses are were already “hanging on by distressing, poses a serious and times and to attend to the road
in a “critical condition” a thread”. Phili called on the real challenge for businesses in infrastructure urgently so that KWAZULU-NATAL
Dfollowing the latest flash government to swiftly repair eThekwini, as businesses are employees can commute to work, BUSINESS CHAMBERS
floods that hit the city and the infrastructure to improve already fragile,” said Phili. cargo can move as scheduled,
KwaZulu-Natal North Coast at efficiency and minimise and the economy can experience COUNCIL:
the weekend, devastating homes, operational disruptions. Businesses were committed minimal disruption in its daily
businesses and infrastructure. to rebuilding in the province, operations. Rehabilitation Chairperson: Dominic Collett
“The high-intensity rainfall however the private sector needed
Durban Chamber of Commerce over the last two days has the help of the government to find and maintenance of key Physical Address: Pencarrow
and Industry CEO, Palesa Phili, unfortunately grounded sustainable long-term solutions, infrastructure such as roads, Park, 1 Pencarrow Crescent,
said the latest heavy rains had the restoration and disaster she added. canals and stormwater drain La Lucia Ridge, 4051.
recovery efforts that were slowly systems, especially in the south of Postal Address: P.O. Box 335,
being implemented in and “We believe it is essential for Durban, where the most damage Umhlanga Rocks, Durban 4320.
around the city of eThekwini.” business and government to work (occurred), is an urgent issue, as
together to co-create workable this area is an operational area.” Te: +27 (0)31 575 5500
The devastating rains come and sustainable solutions. Due
after April’s floods that caused to the frequency and intensity She said this was the appropriate Email: dominic.collett@zutari.com
severe damage to infrastructure, of disasters that keep happening time to activate contingency plans Website: www.kznchamber.co.za
homes and businesses, and in the province, business have identified in the business sector’s
claimed the lives of more than found themselves in a critical meeting with President Cyril
400 people. condition, and we, as the Durban Ramaphosa on 15 May 2022.
Major road and highway Chamber of Commerce and Communication channels warning systems, including the
networks were again flooded Industry, continue to reiterate from local government were South African Weather Service’s
this weekend, including the M7, the need for financial support, clear and consistent regarding timeously issued level-10
M13, Umgeni Road, Higginson alongside the rebuilding of key this weekend’s flooding. She warning alert. 
Palesa Phili, CEO, Durban Chamber of Highway, and the South Durban infrastructure that will help added that the government had
Commerce and Industry Basin. businesses to recover. provided information on early- ( Original source www.freightnews.co.za)

SUPPORTING EXPORT-LED

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

he much-anticipated The programme aims to of commerce, were interested in
Pietermaritzburg & Midlands stimulate job creation and income the model.
TChamber of Business Global generation for 40 SMMEs by
Export Accelerator Programme providing them with a suite of Representatives of the enterprises
(GEAP) recently got underway at an export-oriented development from across KZN were addressed
orientation session at the Fernleigh support, ranging from training, by PMCB CEO Melanie Veness and
Conference Centre. The programme mentoring, product development Project Manager Shân Cade who
is supported by the Deutsche and international market research, outlined the way forward.
Gesellschaft für Internationale to international market access and The successful GEAP participating
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. business linkages. companies are: Afritim, Alude
Arts, Artxss Investments, Bright
The Global Export Accelerator In 2016, GIZ partnered with
Programme has an overall the Johannesburg Chamber Shadow, Cheapish Online, Crosol
development objective: supporting of Commerce and Industry Engineering, D Chem Group, Diya
export-led economic activity, (JCCI) to pilot the first export- Valves International, Dlungwane
to unlock entrepreneurial focused accelerator. Following Nainda Trading, Ella Academy
opportunities for emerging Black the successful completion of that of Design, Enermous, Hermosa
businesses and create export- project, a number of key national Flor Cosmetics, Incasa Foods,
oriented employment. stakeholders, including chambers Isivuno Food Company, Mfan
Steel Fabrications, Miracle Touch
Products, Monde Le Grand, My
Basket Shop, Naidoo’s Wholesalers,
Nonna’s Foods, Ntsu Africa, Obees
Brands, Phumla Horizons, Protea
Leather Natal, Qhawekazi Styles,
Sibocali Traders, Simply African
Made, Sindisiwe Uzuri, The Silk
Route Trading Company, Top Roti’s,
Vuna Seeds, Willowbrew Coffee
Merchants, Zan Zan Décor, Zillon
Trading and Zuri Skincare.  FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOK A STALL
LIHLE 035 797 1807 | BUKHOSI 035 797 1885
Participants in the Global Export Accelerator Programme with Project Manager MARKETING@ZCCI.CO.ZA | INTERN@ZCCI.CO.ZA
Shân Cade (middle row, left) and PMCB CEO Melanie Veness (middle row, right) W: www.pmcb.org.za

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