Chamber makes history with new president
ZCCI appoints its first female president since founded in 1926.
ZULULAND’S voice of business has a new leader to shine the light forward for the region’s ever expanding private sector.
And it is a ‘she’ president for the first time since the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) was founded in October 1926.
Judith Nzimande, General Manager of Human Resources at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), was elected by the ZCCI executive committee, who stated they have high hopes for her new crucial role at the chamber.
‘I’m very excited that for the first time the ZCCI has a female, and an African female at that, as president,’ said former ZCCI president Sizwe Khumalo.
‘This shows the long way the ZCCI has come towards transformation.
‘Judith has been a member of our Exco for more than two years.
‘She comes from an HR background and during her time in Exco, has made a tremendous contribution and displayed strong and passionate leadership qualities, coupled with a high level of business acumen.
‘It was therefore no surprise when the members elected her as the new president.
‘I’d like to congratulate Judith on her new role and on behalf of Exco pledge our support under her leadership,’ Khumalo said.
RBCT CEO Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane also voiced her jubilation about Nzimande’s nomination at the ZCCI Businesswomen’s Conference on Wednesday.
‘Very few organisations are led by women and this shows how women can lead and make headlines.’
RBCT’s general management and staff also congratulated Nzimande, highlighting it as a significant achievement as the country celebrates 20 years of democracy.
‘We have no doubt that she will be an invaluable asset to the ZCCI, as she currently continues to be here at RBCT,’ the company stated.
The appointment of Judith Nzimande as the first female president, is a perfect mirror of the socio-economic dynamic currently taking place in the current democratic South Africa. Strong gifted women of South Africa are taking up positions which were previously male dominated, this aurgurs well for women in South Africa and the African diaspora. Judith Nzimande’s leadership qualities as well her natural charisma brings about a much needed breath of fresh air and renewed motivation in this industry .
This shows an intelligency and intergrity as welll as braveness.
WOW! It has taken more than 96 years for a first women at the helm of a chamber of commerce, congratulations to you ‘Mzansi usukhulile’ a beginning for all women, a victory and sign for more to come. Soon a Black South African woman president will be a reality, siyabonga Mama Nzimande for showing the way.
Congratulations Mrs Judith Nzimande! You are a true agent for change and make every South African more proud than ever. A true reflection of Transfotmation of women. More than that you deserve every drop of hirachy and being the next South African first woman president will do us a lot of good. Your integrity is what all south africans need from you.
Congratulations!!!! Mrs Nzimande is an inspiration to us as children and i personally look up to her even though i am only 18 i am proud to have such a strong women honouring women impowerment well done to her and we support her. In this world people look down at women and i am glad to see a women making a change
its woments month and i would like to uplift and up hold the women that set a good name for us and that are willing to take over a “mans world” VIVA JUDITH VIVA
Congratulations Mrs Nzimande. We are proud of you as a powerful woman of South Africa. Its great to have Female ZCCI President who brings about a world of possibilities! Wathinta abafazi wathinta ibokodo – you strike a woman you strike a rock!
Wow!! What an honour to have a woman of substance as the Chamber President. A woman who upholds such authentic leadership qualities. Congratulations Mrs Nzimande! Looking forward to your charismatic rule. You are a true inspiration.
Congratulations!!!Mrs Nzimande. I’m truly inspired of this historical break- through indeed we celebrating you and this beauty of change in the ZCCI. After 96 years,you refused to allow this to be a completely man domain and took this to your responsibility that this won’t go to century without disturbance, that’s a woooow factor. Thank you for uplifting this wonderful word, WOMAN.
Surely every women is behind you. Indeed you’ve proven that the month August was never just given to us as women but we deserve to be awarded in-fact we deserve the whole year. Congratulations we behind you all the way as you make history indeed