Slack service
delivery
Outgoing ZCB
Richards Bay
Divisional
Chairperson, Denise
Howard reflects on
significant
developments within
the city that were
facilitated by
Chamber this year
Ronelle Ramsamy
THE Zululand
business community
has been urged to
take a stand to
uphold service
excellence.
The appeal was made
at the Zululand
Chamber of Business
(ZCB) Richards Bay
Divisional Annual
General Meeting
(AGM) on Tuesday.
Putting the
spotlight on shoddy
service, Managing
Director of the
Zululand Observer,
Regina Anthony said
during her keynote
address that service
excellence
ultimately began at
home.
‘We well know that
until such time that
respect, dignity and
overall family
values are returned
to the family unit,
we are all fighting
a lost battle.
‘In fact, we are not
talking shoddy
service, we are
talking shoddy
people,’ said
Anthony.
Citing the recent
council fiasco and
incidents of
shocking public
service delivery,
Anthony questioned
the silent voice and
timid reaction of
business.
‘Where was the voice
of business when
councillors acted in
a manner totally
unacceptable to a
city of our
magnitude?
‘Their attitude was
directly opposed to
business and
investment and
negated all the
ideals that we and
you the Chamber are
striving to uphold
and market,’ added
Anthony.
She urged business
to take a stand
against the shocking
public service meted
out to the man on
the street and
called for an
implementation of a
zero tolerance
policy to
inefficiency, shoddy
work and shoddy
people.
‘Going back 15 to 20
years, the voice of
business leaders was
clear and
unambiguous,
unafraid to be
controversial,
subservient to no
one but through
clear vision having
the interest of the
area and the
community at heart
without fear of
contradiction.
‘Where are the
people of stature
hiding?
‘Is the perception
out there that we,
the business world
are lacking clout?’
said Anthony.
Achievements
During her yearly
report, outgoing
chairperson of the
ZCB Richards Bay
Division, Denise
Howard said 2006 had
proven to be an
exciting and
eventful year in
Richards Bay.
‘This year saw the
establishment of the
SMME Forum, the
introduction of
‘What Chamber has
done for you?’ and
the arrival of Tata
Steel.
‘The John Ross
Highway was also
given the go-ahead
and the IDZ received
their provisional
licence,’ said
Howard.
In addition, Howard
said the Chamber’s
customer service
focus had been
encouraging gauging
from the number of
nominations
received.
‘This proves that
excellent customer
service is in fact
available in
Richards Bay.
‘With time, I hope
that all local
companies will
strive to meet and
exceed the
customers’
expectations, and
that we, as
residents will
regain confidence in
buying local,’ said
Howard.
No election
In an unexpected
turn of events, new
office bearers were
not elected at
Tuesday’s AGM, as
late new nominations
surfaced from the
floor.
Nominations for the
position of
Chairperson and
Vice-Chairperson of
the ZCB Richards Bay
Division close on
Friday.
