Nafcoc Nelson Mandela Bay is undergoing a metamorphosis in line with the black business body‘s national agenda of leading change in the local business environment.

The organisation‘s executive confirmed yesterday that it was aiming to move away from its traditional retailer focus into the mainstream economy.

Local Nafcoc president Kutloano Headbush said the body had been asked at a national level to lead business in the country.

“Because of that we had to make some changes in Nafcoc. These changes are informed by the country that has changed economically, and is now open to all citizens,” he said.

One of the initiatives introduced to put action to words is the introduction yesterday of its international relations desk. Bobo Pemba will head this programme.

He said yesterday the aim would be to engage with business chambers around the globe to help promote and identify opportunities for its members.

The starting point for this campaign would be cities and regions with which Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape have twinning agreements. These include Ningbo in China, Gothenburg in Sweden and Germany‘s Lower Saxony state.

He said it had been agreed with the recent delegation from Ningbo that Nafcoc would look to join the next outward-bound visit by with the mayor or deputy mayor.

International bridge-building efforts would not be restricted to only these countries or cities, he said. Nafcoc members would be encouraged to identify opportunities and products that could be used to build trade relations.

The business body also announced more appointments to its executive committee, which now numbers 15.

New members include Kayakazi Mayola, Lulama Prince, Janine Gaseba as well as Lemi Matika and Patutu Ntamo.

Headbush said specific areas of responsibility would be determined at a lekgotla to be held following the induction of all new executive members on August 5.