The director of trade and investment at the SA Chamber of Business (Sacob), James Lennox, has been appointed as the interim chief executive, the chamber said on Wednesday.
This follows the resignation of Kevin Wakeford on Tuesday night. Sacob said in a statement the chamber’s executive committee had designated Lennox to attend to the day-to-day operations of the chamber.
”This will be in effect until further notice or until a successor to Mr Wakeford has been appointed.”
Sacob said there were no other changes to its structures or staff. The situation might also be clarified after its annual convention, which will be held in East London later in October.
Meanwhile, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) said on Wednesday that white business and its representative chambers should consider joining the new Nafcoc.
Reacting to Wakeford’s resignation Nafcoc representative Sipho Mseleku said it was apparent that white business chambers needed a new home.
”Nafcoc believes that the time has come for white business and the chambers such as Johannesburg and Cape Town to consider joining the new Nafcoc,” Mseleku said.
”Their contribution to Nafcoc will help shape a new non-racial business movement which will address the needs of South African business both black and white.”
He said Nafcoc had learned of Wakeford’s resignation ”with keen interest”.
”Wakeford has been under tremendous pressure following the pulling out of Sasol from Sacob and recently the Cape Chamber.” – Sapa