Changing the economic script, one meeting at a time
It has been a busy few weeks at the Cape Chamber, with a full schedule of engagements that, with hindsight, reflect the broad scope of our work. Every conversation, delegation, and council meeting serves a specific purpose—building practical partnerships, refining economic intelligence, or driving precinct-level momentum across our regional economy.
At the macro level, I attended a productive two-day meeting of the Association of South African Chambers, comprising the major Regional Chambers across the country. The purpose was cross-learning and aligning our thinking around key issues, notably the struggling manufacturing sector and rising energy costs.
There were also exploratory discussions with visiting delegations from Henan, China, and Madagascar, aimed at establishing channels to expand trade and investment.
A key priority over the past few weeks has been engaging key decision-makers—including the Western Cape Provincial Cabinet—about our latest survey insights. The aim here is to encourage local policy that is informed by grounded economic data.
Through our projects and programmes, the Chamber is also prioritising precinct-focused interventions. To this end, I met with the Veldrif Sakekamer, a competent chamber taking care of their part of the Western Cape economic ecosystem. Similarly, there were meetings with Khayelitsha Business—to discuss how best to mobilise local business leaders and pursue catalytic opportunities—and the Killarney Ratepayers Association, to explore the benefits of cooperation around a Lead Firm Consensus.
Equally vital is aligning with specialised sector bodies—from SASFED in the screen industry and SASOA in maritime logistics to university innovation hubs in Stellenbosch. Furthermore, consulting national faith leaders at the NCLC highlighted our shared commitment to institutional integrity and social stability.
A range of other meetings, too many to list here, covered the broad scope of Chamber engagement—from a briefing with a media partner eager to report on our Philippi East project, to Henley Business School, to align objectives on proposed research.
I had further fruitful engagements with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to discuss financing for our Scaled Labour-Intensive Manufacturing (SLIM) project, and with the Municipal Performance Benchmarking Service.
Internally, our weekly executive sessions and Chapter leadership workshops keep our operations agile and focused.
A jam-packed schedule may be taxing, but it is also a sign of ongoing commitment to an overarching goal: turning dialogue into tangible outcomes in the interest of economic progress.
John Lawson, CEO of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry