Johann Evertse, a DaimlerChrysler management board member, is the Border Kei Chamber of Business president.

This announcement was made at the chamber’s annual general meeting, chaired by outgoing chairman Zolile Tini who said that the chamber has firmed its involvement in a number of local and provincial structures. He referred to the mayor’s forum and the BKCB’s contribution to the development of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan.

Tini said the local chamber echoed the sentiment of President Mbeki who said that “business is business”, irrespective of race or class.

“We have to work together for the benefit of the country. Fortunately for the Border Kei Chamber of Business, we have always championed the call for unity and I am looking forward as immediate past president to taking the transformation agenda further.”

He said that the chamber should ensure that all businesses, irrespective of size, had an opportunity to make an informed decision whether to become members of the chamber.

Providing relevance to members was always a challenge because its diverse membership base had different requirements.

He also made mention of the chambers’ involvement in the HIV-Aids partnership with DaimlerChrysler in order to assist “small to medium enterprises to meaningfully minimise the impact of HIV-Aids in its workplaces and the communities from it draws employees.”