Chamber establishes its 9th geographic cluster in Fairview

A collective approach in addressing enabling environment issues of common interest in Fairview has led to businesses establishing a Geographic Cluster in the area to foster a thriving working environment. 

This is the ninth cluster to be established by businesses in the metro under the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber banner, with the Beachfront, Baakens Valley, Deal Party, Perseverance, Neave/Korsten, North End, Struandale and Kariega established over the last 18 month period.

To start the process of defining their vision and determining their strategic priorities, the Fairview Cluster has established an interim committee consisting of Nico Claassen (Wirk), Gideon Smith (S4 Engineering), Eugene Le Grange (Netwide), Derika Le Grange (Netwide), Belinda Samuels (NTT/Dimension Data), Wikus Loots (Maritime Motors), Paola Horak (Grindstone Properties/NMBBC Board Cluster Lead), Denise van Huyssteen (NMBBC CEO) and Ashwin Daya (NMBBC COO). The interim structure is made up of volunteers from various businesses in the area and are supported by the executive leadership of the Chamber to guide them in developing a legal framework to ensure the Cluster is fully compliant.

One of the companies that have been at the forefront of having a cluster established in the area is S4 Engineering, which has consulted widely with other businesses as part of a recruitment drive.

S4 Integration Marketing Manager Gideon Smith says the S4 group has made substantial investments in the Fairview area, which is still evolving as a relatively young business hub with a burgeoning number of enterprises.

“Aligning ourselves with the Business Chamber’s strategy to revive the metro as a conducive place to do business, our primary objective is to actively contribute to the development of the Fairview area, emphasising cleanliness, safety, and community pride. We are dedicated to fostering a thriving environment and by joining forces with other local businesses, our goal is to transform Fairview into a pristine, crime-free zone that residents and businesses alike can take pride in,” says Smith.

He says that some of the challenges businesses are facing in the area include lack of road maintenance, general maintenance and illegal dumping. 

“There are likely more or less visible issues, however, we feel that an initial focus on the low-hanging fruit will already make a massive difference in how the area is perceived and this will be a driver for further initiatives to better the area. We also believe that if we set the example, others will follow,” he says.

Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen emphasised that key to ensuring the success of the Fairview Cluster is the adoption of a vision, mission and strategy, along with a timeline for implementation of key initiatives.

“What makes Nelson Mandela Bay based businesses unique is their willingness to collaborate with one another for the greater good of the local economy and on taking action. As a business community we have hope in the future – we know that this is the Bay of opportunity. It starts with all of us believing in its potential and taking action to drive things forward in the right direction,” says Van Huyssteen.