Cape Chamber moves into its 217th year of operations

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry this week begins its 217th year of operation from its base in the Mother City.

It took barely two generations after the establishment a garden for fresh vegetables for trade and enterprise to flourish at the Cape.

“At first it was with passing ships, then with the growing number of settlers interacting with the local inhabitants, despite all attempts to keep them apart.

“It was the start of a roller-coaster ride of South African history in which the private business sector played its part in supplying goods and jobs for its people by growing an economy based on freedom to trade and sell goods and services in a free market.

“For the next two centuries the Chamber defended its members from official barriers to this process. We were and remain apolitical, enabling us to speak out against unfairness and inequity, and against any government policies that stood in the way.

“Today, the Covid-19 crisis has once again illuminated the danger of official command-and-control economic thinking on the part of government, also highlighting the unequal nature of our society and of our economy.

“The Chamber is determined to maintain its historic two century-role in combatting both. This we will continue to do, without fear or favour,” Jacobs said.