Regional chamber of commerce makes headway

Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday December 19, 2017 15:57

The establishment of the chamber of commerce has also contributed immensely in changing the business community’s perception towards SPEDU as evidenced by their response to the recent SPEDU engagement with stakeholders here.

The regional chamber of commerce was officially registered in February this year under the name ‘Regional Business Voice Association’ and it is the first to be registered around the country. It comprises constituencies that fall within the SPEDU region. Currently, the association is run by a volunteer interim committee that is now involved in mobilising the business community around the villages. The business community will then be categorised according to their sectors. Each sector will then appoint a leadership. Chairpersons from all the 10 sectors will then constitute the body of the chamber and elect the association president.

Interim chairperson, Khumbulani Mabena said the idea of the regional chamber came about upon realising that Business Botswana (BB) was not very active outside the cities yet there was a need to engage everyone in the business community. He added that by then, SPEDU was already in existence but was struggling to reach all the business communities and that was where the role of the regional chamber was necessary.

“In 2013, Business Botswana invited the business community volunteers to establish the chamber and only seven came forth. We are now in the process of mobilising the business community to fill in the organisation. We hope to have formed sectors by the end of January next year,” he said. He added that the business community will then be able to route their grievances and suggestions to BB through the association so that they reach government in one voice.

The 10 sectors that the business community will be categorised into are engineering, mining, construction and manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and leisure, retail, medical, financial and professional services sector. Other sectors include SMMEs, youth and women in business and transport and security services.

Mabena added that similar regional chambers will be formed around the country and will affiliate to BB and they will be part of the delegation that will be meeting with government on issues of national interest. “Now that we are the first chamber in the country, it is important that we kick-start and do things right because other regional chambers will benchmark from us. Developments start at local level and that is why we engage the business community from the grass root level,” he said. Mabena stressed that the enthusiasm especially from the business community in the villages is overwhelming and they really appreciate SPEDU as they are convinced that the two organisations will help make a difference in their lives.

“Once we have formed sectors, we will go all out to aggressively preach the need for each business owner to be part of the sectors so that we can have a solid voice as the business community in the region,” he said.

He said once the association is established members will decide on the subscription amount to sustain it. “They will come up with strategies to grow and sustain the chamber. As the interim leadership we are just there to mobilise the business community to form a chamber,” he added.