New commerce chamber wants to uplift township businesses

A new business chamber, covering 11 townships in Ekurhuleni, has grown to over 500 member businesses, in its first six months of existence.

Henry Sande, the president Etwatwa, Daveyton, Kingsway, Wattville, Kathorus and Tembisa (EDKWKT) Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Etwatwa, Daveyton, Kingsway, Wattville, Kathorus and Tembisa (EDKWKT) Chamber of Commerce and Industry covers 11 townships across the entire East Rand, including four in Benoni.

Etwatwa, Daveyton, Kingsway, Wattville, Kwa Thema, Tsakane, Duduza, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Tembisa and Thokoza are covered by the society.

According to the chamber’s president, Henry Sande, EDKWKT was founded in August last year, but already has more than 500 member businesses.

Sande, who is a business owner based in the Benoni CBD, said: “It was started by business people from several of these townships, in order to lift up the public image of businesses in these areas.”

The chamber’s executive committee meets monthly, while the council, made up of four representatives from each township, meets every quarter.

Sande said all the members will meet at a general annual conference, but he hopes to increase the frequency of these meetings as time goes by.

Sande said the chamber is the first to represent business from the collection of townships on the East Rand.

“A team made up from members of our executive committee markets our members’ businesses, which pay a yearly fee,” he said.

“We are affiliated with several companies and organisations, including the Black Business Council, to expand our marketing space.”

One of the chamber’s main aims is to promote networking among its members, which will be achieved through general meetings.

The EDKWKT Chamber of Commerce and Industry is based in the Benoni CBD.