Media Release - New Board for Enterprise Ilembe
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 JANUARY 2020
INAGURATION OF ENTERPRISE ILEMBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The new board of directors for Enterprise iLembe, the development agency of the iLembe District Municipality located in the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal was inaugurated on Thursday, 14 January 2020.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration, His Worship the Mayor Councillor Siduduzo Gumede congratulated the candidates for their willingness to serve the people iLembe, pointing out that they do so during a pandemic.
“The rate of investment has reduced drastically, existing businesses continue to face great hardship, and we are witnessing sever job losses. One just needs to observe the long lines at the Post Offices and at the Department of Labour to understand the magnitude of this crisis,” said the Mayor.
The inauguration was well attended by local Mayors, executive committee members, business sector and senior municipal officials. Messages of support was received from the Deputy Director General of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Barbara Mgutshini and from the outgoing Chairperson of the Board, Mr Khanyisani Shandu.
At a follow-up first meeting of the Board held on Friday, 15 January 2021, Mr Xolani Gumede was unanimously elected as the new Chairperson of the Board. The Shareholder Compact Agreement was signed between the Mayor and Chairperson. The agreement establishes and regulates the relationship between the iLembe District Municipality as the Shareholder and the Board of Directors of Enterprise iLembe as the Municipal Entity.
“The agency will be expected to be in the forefront of driving economic development and positioning this District for business and investment. The economic challenges we face require that we make our environment more responsive for both domestic and international investment. To this end, I look forward to the innovative reforms that will come from this agency that seek to make doing business in iLembe easier and more profitable, “ said Mayor Gumede.
Mr Xolani Gumede accepted the election as Chairperson of the Board and committed together with the Board to accept the mandate from the Shareholder and to working together to ensure that the economy of the District grows for the benefit of all its citizens.
The new board of directors will serve for a period of three years.
*ENDS*