Western Cape Business 2017 edition

FOCUS
is run smoothly and effectively. We
also have various chapters across
the peninsula, each with its own
committee that focus on adding
value to the members in their
respective areas.
We play a significant role in
keeping our members informed
of the latest issues affecting business
and industry, both large
and small. To that end we host
a substantial number of seminars
and workshops to facilitate
information-sharing and training
for our members. We have had
many stimulating and informative
speakers address members at the
Chamber. These have included:
Professor Jonathan Jansen who
was, until recently, Vice Chancellor
of the University of the Free State;
Dr Annthea Jeffrey of the Institute
of Race Relations; Anette Steyn, the
Shadow Minister of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishing; Dr Ivan
Meyer, the Western Cape Minister
of Finance; Ms Lumka Yengeni,
Chairperson of the Parliamentary
Labour Portfolio Committee;
Richard Walker, Regional
Manager Metrorail; Dr Mamphela
Ramphela, activist and one-time
MD of the World Bank; Mr Tshediso
Matona, Secretary of Planning
and Acting Director General of
the Department of Planning,
Monitoring and Evaluation, and
many more.
The Chamber is well respected
and we can attract high-profile
speakers to debate issues and
answer questions from our members.
Recent events that have
drawn much attention are our
“Rumble in the Urban Jungle”
series of debates. We had two in
2016 – the first featured the leader
of the EFF Julius Malema versus the futurist Clem Sunter, and our second
“rumble” pitted Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan against controversial
journalist and author Justice Malala. These events received extensive
coverage and were featured in all major media in addition to being
livestreamed to an international audience. But more importantly, they
provided information enabling listeners to make better decisions as
business people and citizens.
In addition to the numerous meetings and presentations, the
Chamber hosts a number of landmark events. Our Small Business Expo
attracts thousands and is growing at a phenomenal rate. We also introduced
the Cape Business Summit in 2016, with Google as one of the
keynote speakers. The Chamber also owns the Design for Living expo,
which in its heyday attracted 100 000 attendees, but was halted a number
of years ago. We are currently in the process of repositioning the expo
as Design for Future Living, which will attract exhibitors and attendees
who are interested in everything that affects our modern lifestyle.
Our Exporter of the Year competition celebrated its 26th year in 2016.
This competition brings together the Western Cape’s leading exporters
and provides an insight into the work and achievements of many companies
that are not necessarily well known to the public. The annual gala
awards dinner has become one of the highlights of the year and an outstanding
opportunity for networking. We also serve on the Board and run
the SA Chapter of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge, a
global competition that brings some of the foremost women in business
together, publicises their considerable achievements and allows them
to network with their peers at an international level.
In addition to all these events, we host both formal and informal
networking functions, allowing our members to leverage relationships
that they have built up through the Chamber. We offer business advice
covering a range of subjects from legislation to HR to tendering. There
is also an International Trade Desk, which is the first point of contact
for trade missions and visiting delegations who come to the Chamber
to interact with our members. The Chamber is authorised to issue
certificates of origin for exporters.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a respected and
admired brand that has managed to remain relevant in a rapidly
changing world. It’s “where opportunity meets”.
CONTACT INFO
Physical address: 4th Floor, 33 Martin Hammerschlag Way,
Foreshore, Cape Town 8001
Postal address: PO Box 204, Cape Town 8000
Tel: +27 21 402 4300 | Fax: +27 21 402 4302
Email: info@capechamber.co.za
Website: capechamber.co.za
25 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2017