The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Board has elected Kelvin Naidoo as its new President, with immediate effect. This follows his tenure as Acting President of the Board since January of this year.
Naidoo, who also serves as Manufacturing and Technical Director of Auto-X, helped to initiate the Chamber’s Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank two years ago and plays an instrumental role in its various strategic initiatives.
His appointment reinforces the Chamber’s proactive drive to unlock the metro’s economic potential and to position it as the diverse manufacturing base on the African continent under the banner of the Bay of Opportunity
“Kelvin brings strategic leadership depth to our Board, matched with his passion for serving the greater good of our local economy,” says Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
“His leadership style is both strategic and action-oriented, which is exactly what we need to accelerate impact of our initiatives and to deepen partnerships across sectors. The continuity he brings, along with the strength of the enhanced Board leadership team, positions the Chamber to respond more decisively to the economic challenges in the metro. Under Kelvin’s guidance, we will continue to build on the solid foundations laid over the past few years, strengthening our advocacy, influencing policy, driving interventions to retain investment and employment, and critical catalytic initiatives that unlock job creation and inclusive growth. His presidency signals not just a change in office, but a renewed commitment to delivering tangible outcomes for Chamber members and the local economic environment.”
Naidoo says his involvement in the Chamber over the past few years and experiencing firsthand the reinvention of its role as organised business, and the impact of its interventions, aligns strongly with his vision for the Bay. “Like most metros in the country Nelson Mandela Bay experiences significant operational and service delivery problems. Unlike most metros, Nelson Mandela Bay is the most fixable. “We are small enough, have a vibrantly diverse private sector, are collectively driven collaborative action between local government, business, civil society, and we have a make-it-happen ethos.”
“Furthermore, we have the unique assets like two ports, fully integrated automotive manufacturing value chain, large agri and pharma industries and the supporting commercial and banking infrastructure,” emphasises Naidoo. “The Chamber’s strategy to make the metro a dynamic manufacturing, export, eco and tourism hub will remain the focus with minor tweaks to adapt to changing conditions. Action-driven collaboration and wide partnerships and affiliations makes the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber one of the most successful and recognised in the country and with a strong board, driven executive and a committed team doing the work behind the scenes, achieving the vision is not just a dream.”
Naidoo is joined by two newly appointed Deputy Presidents - Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa, and Celestin Ndhlovu, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services at Isuzu Motors South Africa.
Biene, with over 21 years of experience in the automotive sector, has held several senior roles at Volkswagen’s global headquarters in Germany. Appointed as Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa in 2022, she currently also serves as President of the Association of African Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), bringing with her extensive product leadership and a global perspective. She serves on the Board EXCO and is the lead of the Chamber’s CEOs Forum which drives its advocacy and lobbying initiatives.
Ndhlovu, a seasoned executive at Isuzu Motors South Africa, with a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Nelson Mandela University, has held key roles in strategy, planning, logistics, and marketing throughout his career in the automotive industry. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he contributes to academia through guest lecturing and supervision of MBA students at NMU Business School. He currently serves on the Chamber’s Governance and Social Ethics Committee and Transport and Logistics Task Team, and will join the EXCO.
Loyiso Dotwana, Chair of the NAKO Group and Immediate Past President, will continue in his current role providing strategic support and ensuring continuity. Dotwana, who has served on the Chamber Board since 2017, remains a key figure in efforts to drive investment and job creation in the metro. Siya Mthembu, Partner at BDO, continues to serve as Treasurer on the Chamber Board.
The composition of the Chamber’s leadership reflects a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sectoral breadth. Currently, half of the Executive Committee members are women, and 43.5% of Board Directors are female. In addition, 52% of Board Directors are Black, and the Board draws representation from 13 different economic sectors, reflecting a broad and inclusive cross-section of the regional economy.
The Chamber enters a new chapter marked by strengthened collaboration and strategic leadership, committed to delivering on the Bay of Opportunity’s socio-economic potential.
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