MBOMBELA – The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) has a new president, but the incumbent is not a new face in the local business environment.
Mr Oupa Pilane was elected as president of the chamber during the organisation’s board meeting. He takes over the baton from Dr Norah Fakude.
As the official representative body of business and tourism in the Ehlanzeni District, the KLCBT’s main mandates are to promote the region as a tourism and investment destination, to provide a diverse suite of networking and marketing opportunities for its members, and to represent and speak on behalf of the business and tourism communities in the area.
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A well-established businessman, Pilane holds a master’s degree in public development from the University of the Witwatersrand. He holds the position of executive: municipal business intelligence at the Guma Group, which provides integrated revenue solutions for municipalities.
He is also the owner and founder of Ubuntu Kraal Guesthouse.
During his term as president, Pilane said it would be key to come up with ways to broaden opportunities for business and tourism in the area.
“I envisage that the KLCBT will be part of the process of business transformation in the region, to grow the economy and to ensure the success of businesses – irrespective of colour, religion or gender. It pains me to see people struggling to put food on the table,” said Pilane.
He previously served as a spokesman for former premier Dr Mathews Phosa.
“It was during this time that I was involved in the discussions of the founding of the KLCBT, then known by another name, with Phosa and other government leaders.”
Pilane has been involved with the organisation since 2006 when he became a member and also sat on the tourism committee.
“We need activist entrepreneurs who can become business catalysts for change in the region, so that business can empower communities. If our members agree, I would like to initiate a campaign – Strength in Colour – which sees business leaders of all races working together to drive industrialisation and integration and build sustainable businesses,” he added.
Pilane is passionate about consciously taking advantage of opportunities in Swaziland and Mozambique, to ensure the growth of the local economy.
“Business needs to take these two markets seriously by reviving the Maputo Development Corridor. Government does not have the capacity or the mandate to implement programmes of this nature, it is up to business to take the lead and ensure growth,” he said.
During his tenure as president Pilane would also like to see the launch of a KLCBT Youth Chamber, to ensure a succession plan for the organisation.
“We need to be confident that we are building a sustainable organisation that the next generation can continue to drive forward.”
Establishing good and sound relationships with government will be another of his priorities.
“Instead of complaining about things that are not right, business and tourism need to come up with solutions to present to government. We should actually be grateful for our challenges, as they present the opportunities that we need to help improve service delivery. This is a proactive approach that will turn our members’ challenges into opportunities for business growth.”
He is disappointed that people, especially government, have not taken advantage of “the low-hanging fruit” that is tourism.
“I’m excited and hopeful that through my relationship with government we will be able to rejuvenate the many tourist attractions in the region and make them work, starting with Pilgrim’s Rest where we have the opportunity to create hundreds of jobs,” he said.
“The KLCBT is excited to benefit from Pilane’s energy and vast experience during his two-year term,” said Ms Linda Grimbeek, the chamber’s chief operating officer.
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Pilane has already chaired his first board meeting and will, during the next month, become involved in all of the KLCBT’s eight advocacies. In accordance with its constitution, he will remain on the board for at least two years after his presidency.
One of KLCBT’s eight advocacies is to follow up on maintenance plans for bad roads to ensure maintenance and upgrade plans are in place and work is done on time, as far as possible.
The subcommittee for roads request information from the public about roads that need urgent attention. Please email information to Linda Grimbeek at linda@klcbt.co.za or Lisa Sheard at marketing@krugerlowveld.com.
