The newly revitalised iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (ICCIT) is dynamic, flexible and entrepreneurial like the business community it serves in the iLembe District Municipality. The chamber has evolved and formalised off a clear vision to be the voice of business on the north coast while it drives out its mission to strengthen business, industry and tourism in the area.

The need for a specific chamber representing the iLembe region was motivated by the immense growth and potential of the region. The district includes the popular town of Ballito, the industrial hubs of Mandeni and Isithebe and the agricultural areas of Stanger and Ndwedwe. The King Shaka Airport is 15 kilometres away and the district is located on the route between Durban and Richards Bay.

Following 18 months of engaging business as an area committee of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a small, local, working group was formed to establish what is now known as the ICCIT. Trenley Tilbrook the CEO of ICCIT is passionate about making a resounding success of this project.

Tilbrook believes that the chamber's low cost of membership for all business, big or small, versus the value the chamber will deliver throughout the year will be significant. The chamber also aims be unique through its wish to partner businesses on key projects that are aligned to their strategic objectives.

As an example - ICCIT is currently in discussion with prominent business men in the area looking at ways to enhance and improve the entrances to Ballito. Business will channel funds directly to the project and the ICCIT will facilitate and administer the project, which means that funds are focused on project based deliverables and real results.

Another project that ICCIT is embarking on is the Business Retention & Expansion Initiative in partnership with Enterprise iLembe, which aims to understand the real needs of local business on various levels and then implement measurable strategies that will help retain business in the area through addressing those needs identified, thus building a firm foundation for businesses to unlock the next phase of their expansion

ICCIT has also been approached by another organisation to roll out a project that looks at sourcing twenty previously disadvantaged budding entrepreneurs, and putting them through a mentorship program run by the chamber, making use of the expertise of retired business men and woman residing in the area. R200 000 worth of sponsorship has already been committed to the initiative and further details will be revealed in April when the project will be officially launched.

ICCIT has decided to incorporate Tourism into the chamber to meet the need of a missing tourism association in iLembe.

The ICCIT believes that due to the support shown by business over the past 18 months and that through partnership and collaboration with iLembe business, it will be able to deliver on the vision to unite business and be the voice of a strong, iLembe, business sector.