New head for business chamber
Nomkhita Mona to lead organisation in fresh drive for greater investment in Nelson Mandela Bay
WIDELY experienced in the development and business environment, Nomkhita Mona has been appointed chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
Port Elizabeth resident Mona, 51, who starts at the chamber on December 1, will replace acting chief executive Prince Matonsi, who stepped in when Kevin Hustler left in April after serving the chamber for eight years.
Mona’s appointment also signals the start of a new era and strategic direction for the chamber.
After Hustler left, the chamber announced a comprehensive study into establishing a new strategic direction, saying it would also play a role in informing the recruitment of its new chief executive.
The chamber has expressed confidence in Mona as an experienced chief executive, board executive and board member who has gained extensive national and international exposure over the past two decades in various spheres of business.
Chamber president Thomas Schaefer congratulated her on her appointment and said he was excited to implement a new strategy for the organisation with Mona at the helm.
“We will embark on a new strategic direction following the appointment,” he said.
“We are very pleased with our appointment and thank all the board members who were tasked with the selection process.”
Previous positions held by Mona include group chief executive at the South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd, chief executive of the Uitenhage Despatch Development Initiative and chief executive of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board.
Mona, who believes in an inclusive leadership style, said she was looking forward to working at the business chamber.
“I am passionate about Nelson Mandela Bay and the opportunities the city offers businesses operating in the region,” she said.
“I am looking forward to being a part of the team that will drive greater investment into our metro and create a competitive, enabling business environment.”
“This is an exciting period to join the business chamber as I will also have the opportunity to contribute to the finalisation of [its] new direction – together with the board.
“It would make the task of implementing the strategy more streamlined.
“[But] there are some key urgent tasks that one would have to embark upon almost immediately – including broadening the membership base.
“There are also a number of highimpact ideas that would be unveiled when the strategy process has been finalised.”
Mona said focus areas would include ensuring that chamber members derived maximum value from their membership.
“The business chamber will play a much more nuanced role as a catalyst in economic development,” she said.
“We expect a large number of businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay to rejoin the business chamber, while we expect new members to be excited about the prospects of belonging to a chamber that will be all-encompassing – for both small and big business.”
She is a current Remco (human resources and remuneration committee) member of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and board member and trustee of the Wilderness Foundation.
She previously served as deputy president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
She holds an MBA from Rhodes University, a master’s degree in labour relations and human resources, along with an honours degree in industrial relations and a BA degree (psychology and sociology) from the University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela University).