THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Profile The history of the DCCI starts with the foundation in 1856 of the Natal Chamber of Commerce which was described in the Charter which formally constituted the body as the Durban Chamber of Commerce in 1884 (Natal Law no. 31), as an “association of persons engaged in mercantile and commercial pursuits.” After more than a century later, and in common with a movement that was replicated in all parts of South Africa, this body merged with the Chamber of Industry to form the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It has been a proud history of being among the largest chambers in the country. Not least among its strengths is its system of Standing Committees which meet regularly to consider relevant issues within the sectors that the committees represent. Over many years, the discussions of member representatives in these committees have enabled the Chamber to make influential submissions regarding matters of current business concern and interest to local government and beyond at the provincial and national levels. Except for a period of a few years when the DCCI disaffiliated from the South African Chamber of Business (as it was then), it has always provided substantially to the mandate of the national body. In recent years, DCCI representatives have occupied deputy and vice presidential offices within the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr Clive Manci, The Durban Chamber is a vibrant business organisation striving to meet, and even exceed, the expectations of its members, whether they are micro or corporate businesses. While its members are business entities, the facilities of the DCCI and its services are accessible by all employees within any member company. While senior managers may not have time to attend meetings, those at a lower level can learn, and contribute, a great deal by doing so. The Chamber enjoys the respect and confidence of government at all levels thanks to its longevity and its record of service to the Durban business community. WE ARE LIKE THE OAK TREE. OUR HERITAGE, LIKE THE ROOTS – IS EXTENSIVE, AND RUNS DEEP. OUR CONTACTS AND NETWORKS, LIKE THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES – ARE COUNTLESS. OUR INFLUENCE, LIKE THE CANOPY IS SHIELDING AND NURTURING.
Transcript
THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Profile
The history of the DCCI starts with the
foundation in 1856 of the Natal
Chamber of Commerce which
was described in the Charter
which formally constituted the
body as the Durban Chamber of
Commerce in 1884 (Natal Law
no. 31), as an “association of
persons engaged in mercantile
and commercial pursuits.”
After more than a century
later, and in common with a
movement that was replicated in
all parts of South Africa, this body
merged with the Chamber of
Industry to form the Durban
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. It has been a proud
history of being among the
largest chambers in the country.
Not least among its strengths is
its system of Standing Committees
which meet regularly to consider
relevant issues within the sectors
that the committees represent.
Over many years, the
discussions of member
representatives in these
committees have enabled the
Chamber to make influential
submissions regarding matters of
current business concern and
interest to local government and
beyond at the provincial and
national levels.
Except for a period of a few
years when the DCCI disaffiliated
from the South African Chamber
of Business (as it was then), it has
always provided substantially to
the mandate of the national
body.
In recent years, DCCI
representatives have occupied
deputy and vice presidential
offices within the South African
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and Mr Clive Manci,
The Durban Chamber is a
vibrant business
organisation striving to
meet, and even exceed,
the expectations of its
members, whether they
are micro or corporate
businesses.
While its members are
business entities, the
facilities of the DCCI and
its services are accessible
by all employees within
any member company.
While senior managers
may not have time to
attend meetings, those at
a lower level can learn,
and contribute, a great
deal by doing so.
The Chamber enjoys
the respect and
confidence of
government at all
levels thanks to its
longevity and its
record of service to
the Durban business
community.
WE ARE LIKE
THE OAK TREE.
OUR HERITAGE,
LIKE THE ROOTS –
IS EXTENSIVE,
AND RUNS DEEP.
OUR CONTACTS AND
NETWORKS, LIKE THE
BRANCHES AND LEAVES – ARE
COUNTLESS.
OUR INFLUENCE, LIKE THE
CANOPY IS SHIELDING AND
NURTURING.
T H E D U R B A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E & I N D U S T R Y
the Immediate Past President
of the DCCI is now the President
of SACCI.
Considering the status of the
Durban Port and its importance
within the Durban business
community, it is not surprising that
the Chamber’s Durban Port
Committee is one of its most
successful and influential.
On a regular basis this
committee’s meetings are
attended by representatives of
almost all the stakeholder
organisations which constitute
the port community. Another
very well supported committee is
that which deals with Tourism.
The Chamber recognises the
importance of Tourism as an
industry in Durban and is
intent on providing impetus
and momentum in this sphere
so that the city can become
an even more important and
popular tourism destination.
There are similar sector
committees which deal with
issues relating to the
environment, safety and
justice, human resources,
infrastructure, economic affairs,
trade and investment, women
empowerment, and very
significantly, Small Business.
These committees, provide
guidance to the Chamber as to
how it should respond to
government policies and
proposed legislation. Submissions
are made on behalf of DCCI
members in respect of all
business-related bills. In
particular, however, it is the
identification of matters that
need to be raised with the
eThekwini Municipality, or other
agencies, such as port
authorities, for example, that
ensure that the Chamber serves
its members as advocate for
their continued progress and
prosperity.
In addition to these Standing
Committees, four Area
Committees meet on a regular
basis. These also provide
members based within the four
main areas in the City (south,
west, north and central) with an
opportunity to express their views
on business issues that affect
them directly. Arising from the
input made, the Chamber either
engages in the necessary
advocacy or implements
interventions to address the
difficulties raised. Meetings of
Standing and Area committees
are open to any person
representing a DCCI member
company.
With a full-time staff of over thirty
dedicated people, the DCCI
provides business information and
support to its 2 800 member
companies and represents their
interests in a variety of forums.
The Business Services department
engages regularly with members
who require information, about
all aspects of business, but
international trading in particular.
The provision of business
information in an accessible form
is considered a primary function
of the Chamber. This is done
through a number of information-
sharing seminars and daily
communication with members
through the electronic Daily
Digest. In addition, answers are
researched and provided to
countless people who email or
phone their queries.
OVER 150 YEARS YOUNG
AN UNSURPASSED
HERITAGE,
A LASTING FOUNDATION
FOR GROWTH IN
CHANGING TIMES
ACCESS TO LOCAL &
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
WHERE COMMERCIAL
RELATIONSHIPS AND
OPPORTUNITIES ARE BORN
AND GROWN.
T H E D U R B A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E & I N D U S T R Y
