A new chapter in local business development is underway as the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber officially launches the Entrepreneur Programme, in partnership with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
This is aimed at strengthening the foundation and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nelson Mandela Bay.
“The Entrepreneur 2025 Programme is designed not just to train, but to transform. It gives serious business owners the tools and perspective needed to position themselves for long-term sustainability and market relevance,” said Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
“Being selected as a key delivery partner in this national initiative reflects the Chamber’s growing reputation for practical, action-oriented business support. We see this as an opportunity to build a more inclusive and competitive economy in Nelson Mandela Bay, especially given our high unemployment levels. By backing businesses that already have market traction, we’re helping to fast-track job creation and boost local value chains where they matter most.”
This initiative, developed in partnership with ACSA and the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, is a results-driven platform built to deliver real change for businesses that are already operational and ready to scale.
“As an enabler of economic growth and transformation, Airports Company South Africa deems socio-economic development (SED) and Enterprise and Supplier Development initiatives as a significant component that is realised through community upliftment. This aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) and is guided by the company’s transformation imperatives and sustainability framework,” said Ele Tshikovhi, ACSA Group Manager Transformation.
The programme is uniquely positioned to support MSMEs that are already trading and are prepared to take the next step. With academic support from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and strategic input from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the curriculum integrates local context with world-class entrepreneurial thinking.
Cobus Oelofse, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, stated, “The iLembe Chamber is excited to see our partnership with ACSA spreading its wings across the country. The collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber is a powerful lift-off for our shared mission to build resilient, sustainable businesses that can drive local economic growth and job creation. This partnership reflects our belief that entrepreneurship flourishes when rooted in collaboration, local relevance and a shared vision.”
Running over seven weeks, the programme provides participants with structured training, one-on-one mentorship, and exposure to seasoned business leaders. From customer segmentation to systems thinking, each session is designed to refine business models, enhance value offerings, and address operational blind spots.
To ensure impact, strict criteria apply. Businesses must be:
• Registered and active in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro,
• Operational for at least 12 months,
• Owned and led full-time by the applicant,
• Legally registered and tax compliant (or working towards compliance),
• Willing to attend in-person sessions weekly at the Chamber’s offices.
Participation requires commitment; this is not a passive programme. Selected entrepreneurs must complete assignments, engage in mentorship, and submit a comprehensive business plan that will serve as the basis for final adjudication.
Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses, with winners receiving targeted business development funding. However, prize allocation is not automatic. Disbursement will be based on mentor recommendations, business plan viability, and adherence to programme expectations, ensuring resources go only where they can generate measurable impact.
The initiative is formalised through a beneficiary agreement, making expectations and deliverables clear. Sessions range from business model canvas deep-dives to sustainability and IT integration, closing with comprehensive business plan development.
With Nelson Mandela Bay’s unemployment rate among the highest in the country, the Entrepreneur 2025 Programme is a strategic intervention targeting economic resilience at its core. By accelerating growth for high-potential MSMEs, the initiative aims to create ripple effects across employment, supplier development, and community upliftment.
Claudia Daniels, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport Manager, shared: “At Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), we recognise that our role extends beyond the boundaries of aviation. We are deeply committed to contributing to the socio-economic development of the communities we serve. The partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber is a reflection of our strategic vision and our dedication to making a positive impact where it matters most.”
