The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber held its 11th Annual General Meeting and this year’s event was markedly different as it was virtual.
The event allowed for the outgoing Chamber President Dr Andrew Muir to deliver his last speech before the election of his successor in a board meeting in July. It also provided an opportunity for the Chamber to share its challenges, successes and strategic projects to its members.
Delivering his speech, Muir reflected on the actions the board had taken together with their Chamber members, to save lives during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said this was done through several initiatives which, among many, included renovations at public hospitals to get over 160 beds operational, the establishment of a field hospital which had a 100% occupancy during the second wave and also providing much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to hospitals.
“At the outset of the pandemic, we had to be agile, innovative, collaborative and fast in making decisions to support the humanitarian crisis, while balancing this up with what was in the best interest of the local business sector as a whole,” said Muir.
While COVID-19 proved to be a challenge, however, it was not the only “perfect storm” the metropole had to face.
“It also had to contend with the unreliable supply of electricity, a water crisis, violent protest actions and years of political instability.
“In fact, in my two-year term as president, I have had to deal with four different Mayors,” said Muir.
He further emphasised the importance of the Chamber remaining ahead of the curve owing to an accelerated change to continue acting in the best interests of its members and being responsive to their changing needs.
“All of this requires that as a business, we operate with a strong social conscience and be open to participating in collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders. We need to establish partnerships and collaborations based on strong values which put the best interests of our Metro first.”
He also acknowledged the strategic importance of Aspen’s R3 billion sterile facility in the Bay, including Transnet’s decision to relocate some of its offices to the Metro, coupled with their planned R18 billion high capacity rail corridor between the Tshwane and Coega Industrial Development zones.
