SA sadly absent from the list of developing countries that dramatically reduced poverty levels
South Africa is sadly absent from the latest list of developing countries that have dramatically reduced poverty levels over the past 15 years, according to the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Unlike fellow Brics members China and India which have more than halved their poverty levels, South Africa is lagging in its development goals. The […]
Bay businesses counting cost of downtime due to rising number of unplanned power outages
Hundreds of businesses operating in six industrial areas in Nelson Mandela Bay are counting the cost of losing production time as a result of unplanned power outages which have risen to 42 since the beginning of the year, says Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen. The businesses are located in some […]
Sport means different things to different people but for many it is a celebration of the human spirit
The Netball World Cup currently taking place in Cape Town is a case in point. The City can be proud of its ability to host an international showcase of this stature which provides a boost to both morale and the local economy. The only downside to this year’s event is how it provides an indictment […]
Load Shedding Crisis: Plastic manufacturing sector suffers 30%-40% declines
Load shedding is having a disastrous impact on the local plastic manufacturing sector, with some SMME’s reporting declines of around 30%-40%, according to Plastics SA’s Anton Hanekom. Many companies are unable to afford the massive capital expenditure required for alternative energy supply (hybrid solution of solar and other sources eg. generators) to offset the impact […]
Taxi industry strike was in many ways a lesson in three main kinds of diplomacy – the good, the bad, and the ugly
The taxi industry strike was in many ways a lesson in three main kinds of diplomacy – the good, the bad, and the ugly. That it occurred at all is an indictment on the failure of key stakeholders to settle their differences without dragging the rest of society into a tailspin of bitter accusations. Several […]
Cape Chamber helped mediate agreement to end taxi strike
The City of Cape Town and Santaco urgently need to build on the positive momentum created by this week’s suspension of the Western Cape taxi strike. In setting their differences aside both sides are to be commended for prioritising the needs of the broader public and the economy. However, we would be fooling ourselves to […]
Economic Impact due to Taxi Strike: Businesses report widespread losses
Several business sector organisations affiliated to the Cape Chamber report widespread disruption related to the ongoing Western Cape taxi industry strike. Although for many sectors it is too soon to quantify the economic loss, all report widespread absenteeism linked to commuter inability to reach the workplace. One sector drew a parallel between the impact of […]
The taxi strike is detrimental, regretful and avoidable
The taxi strike is detrimental, regretful and avoidable, at the outset we want to make it clear that the Chamber condemns violence, lawlessness and damage to property. The questions to ask is, how did we get to this?The issue is complex and multi-faceted, and we urge the public not to jump to conclusions. In seeking […]
Current Western Cape flood disaster is a double whammy for victims of South Africa’s broader logistics and transport disaster
The current Western Cape flood disaster is a double whammy for victims of South Africa’s broader logistics and transport disaster that persists no matter what the weather. The Cape Chamber can only sympathise with waterlogged farmers and residents who currently bear the brunt of the recent unprecedented rainfall and associated damage. However, as repair work […]
South Africa’s unfolding diplomatic furore with the US illustrates the severity of the current leadership deficiencies within national government
That this impasse with our second biggest trading partner remains unresolved is indicative of a Government that lacks the ability to foresee the potential impact. Senior US legislators believe South Africa, as a consequence of its recent antics with Russian vessels, may soon lose access to a preferential trade deal that has been in place […]