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The Newcastle Sakekamer is determined to build a self-sustaining business community to enhance further and augment the business sector. This came to life on Friday night, 14 May 2021, following Newcastle Sakekamer launching its affiliation with Sakeliga, a self-reliant non-profit business group.
Moreover, Sakeliga aims to enhance the business environment through policy and legal interventions with alternative mechanisms for business where it is found to owe to politics. Through this, the business group creates and protects the environment in which the business community, and the community in general, does business. Discussing the affiliation, President of Newcastle Sakekamer Koos Pieterse explained, the local business chamber turns 54 years old this coming September. Throughout the years, it has only been affiliated with one other organisation. That relationship came to an end in 2018.
Searching for another organisation to associate with, the Newcastle Sakekamer was determined to obtain a fitting match with an institution, sharing similar values, such as found in Sakeliga.
Leizle Landsberg, Jaco Landsberg 
Jacques Kotze, Mornè Seaman 
Chantel van der Merwe, Vernon van der Merwe 
Rob Russell, Estelle Russell
With Friday night’s event focusing on the relationship between the two groups, Pieterse added that one of the benefits of affiliating with Sakeliga; the group is a full-time organisation. “This is unlike our members who still have businesses to run. This means the Sakeliga can fight certain issues and assist smaller business chambers in the country.”
Through the Sakeliga being able to confront an array of issues, even taking on political parties and government decisions if need be, Pieterse says the organisation can help local business sectors with minimal resources, as they have the necessary expertise and human resources.
CEO of Sakeliga, Piet Le Roux, stated the business group is delighted Newcastle Sakekamer has reached out and affiliated with them.
One of the main focuses his group will concentrate on is helping address the economic climate and promote a sense of stability, as well as address essential decisions from the government, impacting the business sector. “South Africa is currently in the Capital – Consumption phase, and we are not building anything. Presently, economic growth can only come from businesses and not from national plans and strategies from the government.”
Therefore, he feels groups such as the Newcastle Sakekamer and Sakelig must work together for the greater good concerning business and economic development. When addressing guests, Le Roux highlighted the importance of seeing fewer politics and more business to promote healthy growth within the country. This includes the business sector researching how to address political decisions that may impact the corporate sector, protect business members, encourage international trade, and work together.
Concluding he said, “If we want things to change, businesses are going to have to do it themselves.” The evening proved to be an informative one, allowing Newcastle business owners to learn more about the current economic climate, how to adapt, and how the affiliation could benefit the community.
Mornè Mouton, Siephan Atterbury, Andre Groenewald 
Marie Kotze, Andre Kotze 
Dr Ernst Vorster, Jakkie de Bruin
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