The EThekwini Maritime Cluster today on 14 June 2023, hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Royal Hotel in Durban. The AGM presented an opportunity for EMC led by the Managing Director, Zenzile Gwamanda, to reflect on projects implemented in the 2022/23 fiscal year. EMC was announced by the Auditors to have achieved a clean (Unqualified) report.
At this event, the cluster bid farewell to the outgoing board members, extending the utmost sincere gratitude and thanking these members for their perseverance and level of insight that guided the Organization forward.
Ms. Clare Gomes, the Strategic Planning and Communications Executive at African Marine Solution (AMSOL) was the guest speaker. She encouraged the EMC to continue with the work done and be the voice for the industry.
For Mr. Hans Modipane, the outgoing chair, this was an emotional occasion for him where he had to say his farewell speech after spending 4 years with the EMC Executive Board. During the time he spent serving on the board, the cluster improve immensely. He went all out to assist where he could and the relationship to unlimited boundaries in improving the EMC organisation.
The EMC leadership team praised the contributions made by the outgoing members saying that the relationships formed will now continue beyond the board terms. The ending of a board member’s term will not hinder the collaborative efforts between the organisation and the outgoing members.
Mr. Emmanuel Ntshangase – Grindrod Logistics Africa was announced as the incoming Executive Board chairman. With over 23 years of experience in the Shipping, Port Operations, Freight, Clearing, and Forwarding, Warehousing, and Over-border Road Transport industry. He is no stranger to the industry and is well capable of leading the cluster to greater heights.
Also on the meeting agenda was the official announcement of the incoming executive board members. The incoming executive board members are:
Mr. Sandile Khoza – Access World
Ms Hazel Xulu – Grindrod Group
Mr. Andile Dhlomo – SMD Africa
The AGM did not only provide the past financial year’s report but also provided members the opportunity to network with the incoming Board members and different stakeholders who were present.