The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber will, on 20 March 2026, convene a high-level dialogue under its Women Empowerment Network at the Southern Sun The Marine, bringing together influential media voices, business leaders and social partners to reframe and elevate the narrative of Nelson Mandela Bay.
The seated discussion, themed Made in the Bay: Women Reframing the Narrative and Shaping the Future of Nelson Mandela Bay, forms part of the Chamber’s broader Bay of Opportunity strategy and reinforces its leadership role in shaping a confident, forward-looking story for the Metro.
Far more than an event, the session positions Nelson Mandela Bay as a city actively engaged in defining its own narrative. At a time when perception often shapes investment decisions, civic pride and economic momentum, the Chamber believes that the stories told about the city, and by whom they are told - matter profoundly.
The discussion, moderated by Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen, will feature Lee Duru, radio personality on the Algoa FM Breakfast Show and an accomplished actress, alongside Estelle Ellis, multi-award winning investigative journalist at Daily Maverick. Their combined experience reflects the power of responsible journalism and constructive storytelling in shaping public discourse and strengthening democratic accountability.
Central to the dialogue will be the work of Daily Maverick’s dedicated Nelson Mandela Bay metro bureau, launched in 2025 to bring depth, accountability and national visibility to local stories. The bureau has uncovered critical issues impacting the metro and residents while also highlighting progress, innovation and reform. The session will further reflect on Algoa FM’s 40-year legacy as a proudly local institution that has informed, connected and uplifted communities across the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, demonstrating the enduring value of trusted local media.
The conversation will explore how women leaders, storytellers and institutions can amplify the metro’s strengths, spotlight hidden innovators and entrepreneurs, and translate local stories into national and global narratives. It will examine the importance of holding institutions accountable while also recognising progress, and the role collaboration between media, business and civil society can play in accelerating inclusive growth. A key outcome will be the strengthening of a network of women ambassadors committed to telling balanced, evidence-based and future-focused stories about Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Women Empowerment Network, established by the Chamber to advance women in business through lobbying, networking, training and opportunity sharing, has grown into a credible platform that extends beyond the commercial sphere. It now embraces humanitarian action, uniting women leaders and businesses behind shared causes that restore dignity and hope to vulnerable communities. This expanded mandate aligns with the Chamber’s Resurge the Bay initiative, which promotes people-centred economic and social renewal across the metro.
Denise van Huyssteen, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, says the dialogue reflects the Chamber’s belief that economic development and narrative leadership are closely linked.
“Economic growth does not happen in a vacuum. It is influenced by confidence - investor confidence, business confidence and community confidence. The way Nelson Mandela Bay is perceived shapes those dynamics, which is why we must be intentional about telling our story with credibility and ambition,” she says.
She explains that the Chamber has, through its Bay of Opportunity initiative, consistently positioned the Metro as a compelling destination for trade and investment by highlighting its distinct economic and industrial strengths, as well as its untapped potential. “We are the only South African metro with two ports, including a deep-water port, and our economy is anchored by a manufacturing sector which brings technical skills and innovation to the Bay, while our climate is ideal for agriculture, agro-processing and tourism. We have a globally competitive automotive manufacturing base. Our lifestyle offering is equally compelling with affordable properties, good schools, great outdoor activities and little or no traffic congestion. Our upcoming campaigns which will feature “Made in the Bay” and “Invested in the Bay” will build on that foundation by shifting the focus from geography alone to the people, products and capabilities that define our competitiveness,” Van Huyssteen says.
According to her, collaboration among women across sectors strengthens both accountability and aspiration.
“When women in media, business and civil society work together to tell nuanced, fact-based and forward-looking stories about their city, they contribute directly to its development. It is also up to us to bring in the balance, so that it is not just the bad news stories which get out, but also the good news stories,” she says.
She adds that the Women Empowerment Network is designed to ensure women play a meaningful role in shaping economic and social outcomes.
“It is a platform that enables leadership. It ensures that women are active participants in driving growth, strengthening institutions and advancing social renewal,” she says.
Elevating local achievements beyond the metro, she notes, has tangible economic value.
“When we translate local success stories into national and global narratives, we strengthen our competitive positioning. We build civic pride, attract investment and open doors for enterprises that are proudly invested and made in the Bay.”
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