WHILE the national office of the Afrikaanse Handelsintituut will retain its name and ‘AHI’ acronym, the local branch will be among those choosing another name to convey denote its wider and more inclusive membership base.
The issue was debated at the branch’s AGM held at Umhambi Lodge in Meerensee.
Those present decided in favour of ‘Zululand Business Institute’ to reflect its representation of the entire cross-section of the business community.
Affiliation to the parent AHI body would remain unaffected.
Reporting on the past year, President Dawid Appel said the economic recession along with new labour laws and other regulatory changes had made the business environment a ‘difficult’ one.
However, the AHI national office had regularly kept members up to date and had represented members’ interests at government and top business levels.
A Zululand deputation derived valuable benefit from attending the national conference in Potchefstroom.
On the local front, the branch – which was named as the top provincial body for 2013 – met with and offered its support to the City of uMhlathuze and serves on its newly-formed tourism committee.
The branch is heavily involved in the SAVF retirement centre project, particularly with skills transfer.
‘We believe that development of life skills and work skills are most precious to a person who did not have these opportunities before,’ said Appel.
‘This year we also helped some matric students to get their driver’s licences.’
City development, port issues, crime and even whiskey tasting kept members enlightened and entertained at monthly meetings.
Appel concluded by thanking the committee and members for their support and hard work during the year.
