Chamber celebrates several successes for the year

The Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry held their 2024 AGM last week, where the Chamber celebrated several of their successes for the year, which included:

• Consolidation of a Cape Chamber-led Network of Networks that now represents business with > R1,28 trillion turnover p.a. and > 1,4 m jobs.
• Successful lobbying for several economic reforms and interventions related to economic impediments, notably in the logistics and public transport sectors 
• Establishment of three new business chapters, in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Philippi, and an overall 134% increase in Chapter participation. 
• Improved internal and external communications, including a 23% increase in newsletter subscriptions and 127% increase in social media impressions.

The Chamber board for 2025 was also announced, which delivered a vote of confidence in the current leadership team. Jacques Moolman and Derryn Brigg were re-elected as President and Deputy President respectively, while Christiaan Vorster will continue as Honorary Treasurer. In addition the following Board members remain; Prof. Justin Barnes, Loyiso Ngqwemla, Tilman Von Zukowski, Thandi Mabena, and Prof. Eugene Cloete. The Chamber Board also has three new incoming board members who bring a wealth of business experience that will significantly enrich the Chamber’s service offering. These are:

• Noluthando Pama is MTN’s Western Cape regional operations general manager. She joined MTN in 2015 and her CV spans several industries, including the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Anine Pheiffer is a chartered accountant with diverse experience in both the corporate and NGO sectors. In 2020 she founded the Mizpah Foundation NPC which focuses on women and youth empowerment. She previously worked for Astron Energy. 
• Yolisa Mlungwana is the regional head of Absa Private Wealth Western and Eastern Cape. She brings years of banking experience, having previously worked in various capacities for both Absa and Standard Bank, with a track record in both the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

John Lawson’s tenure as chief executive officer was renewed for a further three-year term. Together the team is set to resume robust engagement with the Cape Chamber’s public and private sector partners as it moves to further expand its network and consolidate the success of several key programmes and plans.  

“The Chamber is healthier than it has been for a long time,” Lawson said in his concluding address. “We are well positioned to add more value to members and the WC economy.”

Jacques Moolman
President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry