Supporting communities with their businesses
RANDBURG – A company that aims to promote local business growth as well as attract investment opportunities has a diligent woman manning the ship's sails.
The country has made some progress in terms of making sure women are included in leadership and decision-making positions. One woman who can attest to this is Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry manager, Linda Blackbeard. The chamber was launched 59 years ago and will celebrate 60 years next year.
It provides business services nationwide and local communities within as well as nearby Randburg have a greater advantage of accessing these services.
Her job entails promoting the growth of businesses as well as steering her company to contribute towards community development projects that address social needs. Married to a ‘wonderful man’ with two sons and five grandchildren motivates Blackbeard to work even harder to be a leading example to her family.
She said the community is important to her because a lot more is achieved as people from around Rosebank, Parkwood, Parkhurst and Saxonwold come together with their skills and knowledge.
“When we can help with so much and also inform and encourage our communities to work together on various projects and initiatives, then the stronger and more successful we can be. We all can.”
The manager said, however, with the ‘slowed economy’ there are so many people in need. With new businesses and entrepreneurs emerging every week, there is much her company needs to show them such as sustainable business planning and running as well as encouraging all businesses to deal with integrity. A lot of support offered made things easier.
“Sponsorship for funding would enable us to facilitate many more offerings and assist many more people, especially our youth.”
Blackbeard said the excitement on the faces of the people they help when offering solutions and assistance was gratifying and she foresees herself doing a lot more within the next 10 years. With many who help to achieve the results they have as a chamber, she said it is difficult to single out only one achievement and ‘to be associated with the Rural Water Project will facilitate clean healthy drinking water to all our rural communities in need of clean healthy drinking water and empower them to uplift their own communities through revenue generated for them on this’.
Blackbeard concluded, “I would like to thank my assistant Jackie, my board of directors, heads of governance, marketing, business development, import. export, economic development and legal for all that they do to help me run the chambers effectively. Without them, I would be lost.”
Details: manager@rcci.co.za
Share your views on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page or email our editor on ashtynm@caxton.co.za
Related Articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/234235/consumers-encouraged-to-be-economically-disciplined/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/230037/colombia-gives-strategies-on-how-to-address-the-issue-of-illicit-drugs-in-sa/
