The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber celebrated the power of local leadership, innovation, and collaboration by honouring businesses and individuals driving tangible economic progress across the metro.
The Annual Banquet, held on Friday, 05 December 2025 at the Boardwalk Conference Centre, recognised members who are translating commitment into measurable impact, from tackling service delivery challenges and fostering innovation to building stronger partnerships between business, civil society, and government.
Chief Executive Officer Denise van Huyssteen said this year’s recognitions reflect the Chamber’s sharpened focus on results and partnership.
“These awards aren’t about titles or prestige; they celebrate people who volunteer, roll up their sleeves and take action,” said Van Huyssteen. “They embody the spirit of this business community - resilient, pragmatic and deeply committed to resurging the Bay and unlocking its immense potential.”
The first recognition, the Reconciliation Award, went to Hannes de Waal, Chief Executive of the Sundays River Citrus Company, for his unwavering support of the Chamber’s task teams and clusters spanning logistics, safety and security, and various advocacy initiatives. De Waal was praised for his ongoing courage, including lending his voice to national conversations on agriculture and transformation, and for standing firm for South Africa’s citrus industry. The Sundays River Citrus Valley is the largest citrus production area in the country.
The next award recognised Mandla George and Dawn McCarthy, two former senior municipal executives whose expertise and dedication have been instrumental in supporting the Chamber’s contributions to BUSA’s Local Government Reforms Workstream.
“Despite the challenges they have faced, they continue to be patriotic South Africans who firmly believe in the potential of the Bay. They have proven that there are current and former municipal workers who are committed to the vision of taking this city forward and are driven by integrity and the need to make a difference,” Van Huyssteen noted. “Their behind-the-scenes work has helped shape the Chamber’s inputs, which will help influence national thinking on how municipalities should operate in the future.”
The Shifting Boundaries Award was presented to Stellantis South Africa and Jendamark Automation for their pioneering work with the Chamber on an industry-led Youth Empowerment Programme addressing critical technical skills shortages in the manufacturing sector. This partnership has resulted in the development and delivery of training for Digital Process Technicians - a world-first skills offering aligned with the digitalisation of modern production lines.
“This collaboration is a fantastic example of how the private sector can push boundaries and drive industry-led training initiatives,” Van Huyssteen said. “By re-inventing and investing in new skills, companies like Stellantis and Jendamark are not waiting for change, they are driving it.”
Another recognition went to Nick Chapman, Plant Engineer at Volkswagen Group Africa, for his leadership in helping establish the Disaster Management Task Team, a proactive business-led, multi-stakeholder structure designed to mitigate risks that could disrupt local operations. The team’s work feeds directly into the Chamber’s Risk Management Desk, which is already delivering results, including clearing stormwater drains, removing illegal dumping, and helping maintain fire hydrants in key business precincts.
“Nick and his team represent the practical, solutions-driven mindset we need more of,” Van Huyssteen said.
The evening also included the presentation of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which celebrates excellence among the more than 440 enterprises supported through the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Desk, 73 percent of which are black-owned and 54 percent female-owned.
Entrepreneur of the Year
This year’s top honour went to NC Upholsters, led by Managing Director Lucille Bosman, a family-owned upholstery and furniture manufacturing business founded in 1999 in Nelson Mandela Bay. The company has distinguished itself by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design to serve both residential and commercial markets.
In 2025, NC Upholsters achieved several major milestones that underscored its growth trajectory:
- Expanded from a 300 sqm to a 520 sqm facility
- Launched an innovative new pet-focused product line, FurNiche
- Secured new corporate contracts
- Expanded production capacity through new equipment
- Positioned itself for international expansion through the Chamber’s Exporter Development Programme
- Ventured into industry-led skills development by partnering with Ray Mhlaba Skills Centre and commencing accreditation processes
Van Huyssteen noted that the business exemplifies the resilience, creativity and growth mindset the Chamber seeks to cultivate.
Entrepreneur of the Year Runner-Up
The runner-up was Fred Footwear, led by Rolland Eboru. The proudly Eastern Cape-based manufacturing company produces high-quality, durable Afro-centric footwear, including both functional and defensive footwear. With a modern production facility capable of producing up to 300 pairs per day, the company continues to scale its impact.
Fred Footwear’s 2025 highlights included:
- Manufacturing 55 000 pairs of safety shoes
- Producing 300 pairs of school shoes
- Achieving a 40% increase in sales
- Growing gross profit by 25%
- Securing new corporate clients
- Establishing over 30 new partnerships
- Donating 140 pairs of school shoes to learners in Walmer
These achievements demonstrate not only commercial success but a strong commitment to community upliftment.
Van Huyssteen added that the Entrepreneurship Desk, supported by partners including Standard Bank, Borbet SA, MTN and Engie, continues to create pathways for entrepreneurs to scale, formalise, innovate, and access new markets.
Reflecting on the evening, Chamber President Kelvin Naidoo said the recognitions captured the essence of what makes the Chamber a powerful force for progress.
“It is this spirit of volunteerism, real passion, and commitment to doing what’s right for our local economy and communities that defines who we are as a Chamber,” Naidoo said. “Each year, this Chamber continues to raise the bar. Many of our initiatives now extend beyond the local level, gaining recognition and influence at a national scale. Increasingly, national and international stakeholders are engaging with us, eager to learn from and collaborate with our efforts to drive positive impact.”
Naidoo added that the Chamber’s growing impact rests on a solid foundation of insight and collective action. “We’ve built a strong business intelligence base and have a clear understanding of the environment around us,” he said. “Equally important, we remain consistent, collaborative, and united in our approach to retaining and attracting investment and employment in the Bay.”
He closed by expressing gratitude to members for their continued partnership and resilience.
“To our members, thank you for standing with us through what has been a challenging year. Your commitment and collaboration continue to fuel our shared mission to build a thriving, sustainable metro for all.”
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