INDEX INDEX Africa
INDEX INDEX Africa Biomass Company (ABC) ...................................................................................................................... 3, 8 Chartered institute of Government Finance, Auditing and Risk Officers (CIGFARO) ....................................................................................................... OBC Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) ..................................................................................... 14-15 Metropolitan ................................................................................................................................................IFC, 42-43 Nedbank .................................................................................................................................................................. 20-23 Petroleum Agency South Africa ................................................................................................................ 32-33 Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) ..................................................................IBC Transnet Pipelines .............................................................................................................................................. 30-31 UFS Business School ...............................................................................................................................................47 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2020/21 48
Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Promoting and representing businesses in the economic powerhouse. INTERVIEW What is the geographic footprint of the Chamber? The areas we cover are: Randburg, Sandton, Fourways, Midrand and Lanseria. Linda Blackbeard, CEO BIOGRAPHY Linda Blackbeard ran her own interior design and hospitality company before taking up the reins as CEO of the RCCI. She is the SACCI Chamber Forum chairlady and a member of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry board of directors. She was awarded the Pan African Award in 2018 in recognition of her achievements in the Continental Lifetime Achiever sector, CEO Global Most Influential Women in Business & Government 2018 Awards. What are the key functions of the Chamber? Primarily to promote business, to facilitate introductions, to be the voice of business at municipal, provincial and government levels, in defending business in areas of poor decision-making or unintended consequences of various acts that are passed. We also facilitate opportunities into the SADC regions and work very closely with many embassies regarding trade and tourism. What does the Chamber do to support SMMEs? One of the Chamber’s primary focus areas is the development of SMMEs, finding opportunities for them, business enhancement in training, helping with business plans, company registrations, giving direction to ideas that entrepreneurs might have. Teaching them to form joint ventures with other small businesses and have an opportunity then to tender for work. We promote our local businesses being awarded work in our areas. Does the RCCI interact with government? RCCI is affiliated to the only national chamber body, South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI). Through SACCI important issues are dealt with directly at government level. We are also heard at provincial level and the Chamber works with the City of Johannesburg, Trade and Investment SA as well as various national government departments responsible for economic development. Are there particular challenges? Randburg Chamber would love to embrace more businesses. There is so much opportunity around and we could facilitate more if businesses joined. The more businesses stand together with their local chamber of commerce, the stronger our voice will be at municipal, provincial and government level. What does the future hold? Our Electronic Certificate of Origin programme for export saves time and is designed for South African markets. Businesses and members can look forward to renewed focus, positive opportunities, and facilitation in the SADC region for business growth and opportunity. www.rcci.co.za
