Durban — Having existed for more than 140 years, the Daily News, together with Tourism KZN, hosted its first Business Networking Breakfast at the Radisson Blu Hotel, in Umhlanga, on Wednesday.
The event was attended by guests from all business sectors, with its main purpose being to highlight the resilience of the province which had weathered three pandemics, namely: Covid-19, the July 2021 unrest and the devastating floods that hit the province twice this year.
With Women’s Month coming to an end on Wednesday, the Daily News invited “phenomenal women”, who were striding ahead in business and are also brainiacs in their own capacity.
The editor of the Daily News, Ayanda Mdluli, in his opening remarks, said it was important for the titles under Independent Media to host such sessions as it reflected that they played a part in the development of KZN.
He explained how the stakeholders had played a major role in ensuring that the paper reached its full potential.
“Having so many stakeholders and prestigious guests at our breakfast is a measure of the interest that our media brands have generated over the last two years,” said Mdluli.
He said the paper’s wish was for its group (Independent Media) to stand as the pillar of communication, information and education in KZN’s business community and society.
The event hosted a panel discussion by the “phenomenal women”, who touched base on issues affecting the economy and society.
It was facilitated by Kiki Ntuli, the editor of the Daily News’ sister paper, Isolezwe.
Acting chief executive officer of Tourism KZN, Phindile Makwakwa said: “We are not past the floods as there are people who still live in community halls, and the government is moving at a slow pace to address the issue.”
Makwakwa said on the infrastructure side, there had been little work done.
She said the Tourism KZN had hosted the biggest Trade Indaba with more than 5 000 people attending after the devastating April floods.
Zanele Khomo, the chief growth officer at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the people of this province were strong and survivors.
“We have been in the worst and we needed to survive as the business community as well. Business communities and small businesses needed to adjust to new ways of doing things,” said Khomo.
On the issue of gender-based violence, she said it had a negative impact on the economy and caused people to fail to deliver on their mandate.
“The more our mental wellness is affected, the less able we are to work and sustain our jobs. If the space doesn’t feel safe, we are sure to fail in whichever role we perform,” she said.
AmaZulu FC CEO Sinenjabulo Zungu said: “We have good sponsors and good stories to tell. With the stadiums open and people coming into the facilities, it brings joy to the people. Networking does help people.”
Thandeka Mngomezulu a senior partner at Thasola Consulting said work environments needed to be conducive and bosses needed to support their staff.
“Before we are bosses, we are humans and we need to support our staff. Yes the work must be done, but the environment should be conducive,” she said.
The business manager of Ukhozi FM, Sibongi Ngcobo, said that during the unrest and Covid-19, everyone came to assist, but when it came to GBV, victims were expected to come up with solutions themselves.
Daily News