1. THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
Profile
The history
of the DCCI starts with the
foundation in 1856 of the Natal
Chamber of Commerce which
was described in the Charter
which formally constituted the
body as the Durban Chamber of
Commerce in 1884 (Natal Law
no. 31), as an “association of
persons engaged in mercantile
and commercial pursuits.”
After more than a century
later, and in common with a
movement that was replicated in
all parts of South Africa, this body
merged with the Chamber of
Industry to form the Durban
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. It has been a proud
history of being among the
largest chambers in the country.
Not least among its strengths is
its system of Standing Committees
which meet regularly to consider
relevant issues within the sectors
that the committees represent.
Over many years, the
discussions of member
representatives in these
committees have enabled the
Chamber to make influential
submissions regarding matters of
current business concern and
interest to local government and
beyond at the provincial and
national levels.
Except for a period of a few
years when the DCCI disaffiliated
from the South African Chamber
of Business (as it was then), it has
always provided substantially to
the mandate of the national
body.
In recent years, DCCI
representatives have occupied
deputy and vice presidential
offices within the South African
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and Mr Clive Manci,
The Durban Chamber is a
vibrant business
organisation striving to
meet, and even exceed,
the expectations of its
members, whether they
are micro or corporate
businesses.
While its members are
business entities, the
facilities of the DCCI and
its services are accessible
by all employees within
any member company.
While senior managers
may not have time to
attend meetings, those at
a lower level can learn,
and contribute, a great
deal by doing so.
The Chamber enjoys
the respect and
confidence of
government at all
levels thanks to its
longevity and its
record of service to
the Durban business
community.
WE ARE LIKE
THE OAK TREE.
OUR HERITAGE,
LIKE THE ROOTS –
IS EXTENSIVE,
AND RUNS DEEP.
OUR CONTACTS AND
NETWORKS, LIKE THE
BRANCHES AND LEAVES – ARE
COUNTLESS.
OUR INFLUENCE, LIKE THE
CANOPY IS SHIELDING AND
NURTURING.

2. T H E D U R B A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E & I N D U S T R Y
the Immediate Past President
of the DCCI is now the President
of SACCI.
Considering the status of the
Durban Port and its importance
within the Durban business
community, it is not surprising that
the Chamber’s Durban Port
Committee is one of its most
successful and influential.
On a regular basis this
committee’s meetings are
attended by representatives of
almost all the stakeholder
organisations which constitute
the port community. Another
very well supported committee is
that which deals with Tourism.
The Chamber recognises the
importance of Tourism as an
industry in Durban and is
intent on providing impetus
and momentum in this sphere
so that the city can become
an even more important and
popular tourism destination.
There are similar sector
committees which deal with
issues relating to the
environment, safety and
justice, human resources,
infrastructure, economic affairs,
trade and investment, women
empowerment, and very
significantly, Small Business.
These committees, provide
guidance to the Chamber as to
how it should respond to
government policies and
proposed legislation. Submissions
are made on behalf of DCCI
members in respect of all
business-related bills. In
particular, however, it is the
identification of matters that
need to be raised with the
eThekwini Municipality, or other
agencies, such as port
authorities, for example, that
ensure that the Chamber serves
its members as advocate for
their continued progress and
prosperity.
In addition to these Standing
Committees, four Area
Committees meet on a regular
basis. These also provide
members based within the four
main areas in the City (south,
west, north and central) with an
opportunity to express their views
on business issues that affect
them directly. Arising from the
input made, the Chamber either
engages in the necessary
advocacy or implements
interventions to address the
difficulties raised. Meetings of
Standing and Area committees
are open to any person
representing a DCCI member
company.
With a full-time staff of over thirty
dedicated people, the DCCI
provides business information and
support to its 2 800 member
companies and represents their
interests in a variety of forums.
The Business Services department
engages regularly with members
who require information, about
all aspects of business, but
international trading in particular.
The provision of business
information in an accessible form
is considered a primary function
of the Chamber. This is done
through a number of information-
sharing seminars and daily
communication with members
through the electronic Daily
Digest. In addition, answers are
researched and provided to
countless people who email or
phone their queries.
OVER 150 YEARS YOUNG
AN UNSURPASSED
HERITAGE,
A LASTING FOUNDATION
FOR GROWTH IN
CHANGING TIMES
ACCESS TO LOCAL &
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
WHERE COMMERCIAL
RELATIONSHIPS AND
OPPORTUNITIES ARE BORN
AND GROWN.

3. T H E D U R B A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E & I N D U S T R Y
Many of these relate to business
opportunities in other provinces
or countries, or raise queries
about current legislation and the
obligations that businesses have
to meet.
We are able to provide answers
to most questions, either by
referring to in-house knowledge,
or by referring to expertise
among the DCCI membership.
The Chamber processes over
25 000 certificates of origin each
year. The advantage of clients
in accessing certificates from the
DCCI is that the service is
available, in almost every case,
within a turn-around time of
less than thirty minutes.
The DCCI is committed to
adding value to its members in
terms of the services it is able to
offer. Among others, therefore,
the Chamber offers a credible
BBBEE verification service at a
rate discounted to members,
and, on a similar basis, a
mediation service. Pension and
provident fund membership is
provided as a particular benefit
to small employers who gain the
advantage of lower
administration costs.
In the South African context,
the development of small
enterprises is essential in order to
address the problems of
unemployment and economic
development.
The Chamber takes this very
seriously and operates a SMME
Desk which manages a busy
programme of training and
support. This includes
mentorship and on-going
guidance.
This facility is not confined to
the use of members alone, and
the staff is accustomed to
dealing with countless enquiries
from aspirant entrepreneurs
outside of the membership.
In common with Chambers of
Commerce throughout the world,
the DCCI offers numerous
networking activities which are
particularly popular among
people within the small business
sector.
THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
BE HEARD, IN THE
COMPANY OF MANY, WITH
THOSE WHO HAVE WALKED
BEFORE, AND THOSE WHO
WALK WITH US.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT &
TRAINING
ACCESS TO EXPERTS,
TRAINERS, MENTORSHIP,
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS.

4. THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
IN THE COMPANY
OF GIANTS
NEW PLATFORMS AND
OPPORTUNITIES ARE CREATED
THE BENEFITS OF WHICH OFTEN
LAST A LIFETIME
A FOREST OF SMALL AND
MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES
GROWING TODAY, TO
BECOME GIANTS
TOMORROW

5. THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
With a full-time staff of over
thirty dedicated people, the
DCCI provides business
information and support to its
2 800 member companies and
represents their interests in a
variety of forums.
The Business Services
department engages regularly
with members who require
information, about all aspects
of business, but international
trading in particular.
The provision of business
information in an accessible
form is considered a primary
function of the Chamber. This
is done through a number of
information-sharing seminars
and daily communication with
members through the
electronic Daily Digest.
In addition, answers are
researched and provided to
countless people who email or
phone their queries through.
BENEFITS OF
MEMBERSHIP
Credibility through
association with the
Chamber and it members
Access to unsurpassed
business networking
opportunities
Reaching new business
opportunities within the
city, the province,
nationally and abroad
Addressing issues that
impact the business
environment by lobbying
support and advocating
positive changes
Providing a Voice for
Business to engage with
local government, trade
delegations, foreign and
local embassies and
stakeholders - to help
facilitate and attract local
business.
Access to experts, trainers,
mentorship programmes,
seminars and workshops
SERVICES AT A
GLANCE
BUSINESS INFORMATION
Certificates of Origin
Electronic Tender Services
Credit Reference Service
State Warehouse Returns
Business Publications
Government Gazettes
e : businfo
@durbanchamber.co.za
BEE VERIFICATION SERVICES
e : verify
@durbanchamber.co.za
BUSINESS SKILLS TRAINING
e : bustrain
@durbanchamber.co.za
AREA BUSINESS COMMITTEES
DURBAN CENTRAL AREA
e : central
@durbanchamber.co.za
DURBAN NORTH AREA
e : north
@durbanchamber.co.za
DURBAN SOUTH AREA
e : south
@durbanchamber.co.za
DURBAN WEST AREA
e : west
@durbanchamber.co.za
MEMBERSHIP
e : thrive
@durbanchamber.co.za
CONTACT
T: +27(0)31.335.1000
F: +27(0)31.332.1288
www.durbanchamber.co.za
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
e : advertise
@durbanchamber.co.za
CONFERENCE HIRE & EVENTS
e : events
@durbanchamber.co.za