EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Melanie Veness
Melanie holds a B.Comm degree in Industrial & Organisational Psychology, is people-focused and cause-driven. She is the current Chairperson of the Association of South African Chambers (ASAC). ASAC is an alliance formed by the largest chambers in South Africa to give voice to shared business challenges and represent the mandated and agreed common interests of members on national issues of a policy and/or regulatory nature.
She serves as the Treasurer of the KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council (KBCC) and also serves on the KZN Economic Council under Premier Thami Ntuli.
She is also the chair of the local South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) branch and she sits on the SAIIA National Council. Melanie has been appointed to the International Chamber of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) General Council for the 2025–2028 term. She will represent South Africa.
Prior to her appointment at the chamber, she was the Director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism for nine years. During her tenure with Pietermaritzburg Tourism, she was elected Chairperson of the Community Tourism Association KZN as well as President of Skal International Midlands.
Melanie is driven by her desire to make a real difference in Pietermaritzburg and in South Africa. Keenly aware that the development of business is key in alleviating poverty and addressing unemployment, she takes her advocacy role very seriously and works boldly and consistently to drive meaningful change.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Dr John Buyers
PRESIDENT
John has more than 35 years of management experience and is currently the Managing Director of Preformed Line Products South Africa. He earned his MBA Cum Laude in October 2000, and a DBA from NMU in 2018. He has led numerous business operations and participated in both local and international mergers and acquisitions for Preformed Line Products Corporation. His expertise spans organisational strategy, sales and marketing, budgeting, financial controls, procurement, staff development, quality, project, and manufacturing management. John has taught Business Management for UNISA and the UK Open University and lectured on MBA programmes.
Bonga Ndaba
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Bonga Ndaba was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. He completed matric at Hilton College and studied B A (Law) at the University of KwaZulu Natal. He went on to complete the Advanced Programme in Purchasing Management at Unisa while working in various roles for Sappi Ltd. While still with Sappi, he was chosen to go to the Graduate School of Business of the University of Cape Town to study the Associate in Management (AIM) Programme full time.
In 2002 he moved to Durban where he worked for Engen Petroleum, initially at the Refinery, then later at the Regional Offices in Westville. Bonga became a Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) in November 2002. He also served as the Vice Chairperson of the Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Southern Africa (IPSA) KZN from 2007 – 2009. In 2012, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) awarded him an MCIPS (Full Member of CIPS). During his time at Engen, he completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at UKZN in 2006. Prior to Engen and Sappi Ltd, Bonga worked in various roles at Hulett Aluminium (now Hulamin) and First National Bank.
In 2015, American based APICS (The Association for Supply Chain Management) conferred upon him the designation of Certified Supply Chain Professional.
His formal training includes Strategy; Management Consulting; Project Management; Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Consulting; World Class Procurement; Supply Chain Management; Quality Systems Auditing; Total Productive Manufacturing; Contract Law; Legal Writing; SAP; Import and Export; Strategic Sourcing; Commodity Management; High Performance Sales; Finance; Competition Law.
His current Directorships include BSN, Lilliput Projects, Midlands Logistics, Expandasign, Clanfin Africa, AgriKZN Projects, Strelitzia Projects and Mandate Strategic Solutions.
He is also currently First Deputy President of PMCB, Vice Chairperson of the Dusi Committee, Executive of the KwaZulu Natal Canoe Club and part of the Management Committee of Business Fighting Crime.
Harry Shaw
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Harry Shaw is the managing member of Shaw and Wall cc, a leading specialist commercial and industrial property broking and management enterprise based in Pietermaritzburg since 1993. What sets Shaw and Wall apart is its ability to conceptualize, instigate and deliver fully completed and tenanted new developments and/or recycled older properties on behalf of its client base. Prominent precincts/properties with which we have been involved include a major renovation of an industrial complex in Mkondeni, the Bird Sanctuary motor dealership precinct, Tile Africa in Victoria road and the Maritzburg Arch Lifestyle Centre, amongst others.
His management portfolio encompasses multi storey office blocks as well as the aforementioned industrial complex and Maritzburg Arch with tenants ranging from government departments, legal practitioners, national retailers, national service industries, educational institutions, professional practices, industrial lubricant distributors et al.
Harry has been a certified estate agent since 1991 and also chaired three school governing bodies as well as chaired a school trust. Sustainable, tenant driven, people and environmentally friendly development remains his core passion and his aim is to work with all sectors of the economy to bring such growth to Pietermaritzburg and its environs.
Thirusha Govender
TREASURER
Thirusha Govender is the Founder of ControlPro, a governance and financial management firm committed to empowering businesses through strategic insight and operational excellence. With skills and qualifications in Auditing, Accounting, Tax, and Business Management, Thirusha brings a holistic, solutions-driven approach to guiding organisations toward clarity and growth.
As Treasurer of the Chamber, she combines technical precision with collaborative leadership to support transparent reporting and member-focused stewardship. ControlPro has been a proud Chamber member for nearly a decade, actively contributing to broader conversations around professional development and business advocacy.
Kervin Budram
Kervin obtained his Degree in Management (Cum Laude), and an overall distinction from the University of Cape Town for completion of his Program for Management Development. This path of study was to further his aspirations in terms of Business Management and to complement his earlier acquired academic qualifications in the Finance sphere. He also attended SAP Business School in Sandton.
His current job is focused largely on financial control and analyst roles within Aberdare Cables, where he recently celebrated a thirty-year experience milestone. The association with his current employer has seen him afforded many learning opportunities and experiences within their vast network within South Africa and globally. He has been awarded the Hengtong (Aberdare’s Holding Company) Outstanding Manager Award during 2024, to add to the Aberdare Outstanding Manager Award he won two years earlier. He has also received the accolade of being recognised for inclusion in the 2024 KZN Top Business Leaders.
He has, over several years, represented many sporting and religious organisations and local committees in an Executive or Managerial role, and is actively involved in many community projects and developments. He has also completed Theological studies in 2023, placing first overall with a Summa Cum Laude pass. Kervin is also actively involved with KZN Aquatics, having also successfully completed the theoretical testing and practicals, to be officially recognised as a Timekeeper and Judge at swimming events.
Janet Channing
Janet holds a PhD in Tax Policy from the University of Pretoria. She is a registered professional valuer and Managing Director of MetGovis, the proprietor of the property related software solutions and BPGM, a valuation company. She has a wealth of experience in local government project management. Janet is a people-focused, committed entrepreneur acknowledging that the private sector has a significant role to play in addressing poverty and unemployment. Janet has a real desire to make a difference for the Pietermaritzburg community, especially to those starting their own businesses.
Ali Engelbrecht
Ali Engelbrecht is an entrepreneur and an educator. Ali has been a member of the Chamber for past 20+ years and has served and currently serves on the Board and the EXCO. Ali runs her own business, Ali Cat’s Business Services, offering training and facilitation to entrepreneurs. Ali is an Independent Contractor (Lecturer) of the IIE Varsity College Online Campus. Ali is an Honorary life member of WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve and is an Honorary Officer of the Lions River division of KZN Ezemvelo. Contact Ali for your training and facilitation needs to support your business. Email: Alicats.Business.Services@outlook.com
Mark Gutridge
Mark Gutridge is the Managing Director of Brink Towing Systems SA and The Head of Global Operations for Brink Group. He started at Ramsay Engineering in 1994, where he qualified as a Toolmaker and studied Mechanical Engineering. Since 2006, he has been actively involved in the joint venture between Ramsay Engineering and the Brink Group. In 2010, Mark became the Managing Director of Brink South Africa, in 2016 took on the additional role of Managing Director of Brink UK and in 2024 became The Head of Global Operations for Brink Group. He is passionate about giving back to the community and believes that through his involvement with the chamber, he can continue to make a meaningful impact on the upliftment of many others.
Sharryn Middleton
Sharryn is the Owner/Principal/Managing Director of RE/MAX Midlands with offices in Pietermaritzburg, Hilton & Howick. She has been with RE/MAX for 25 years and is Maritzburg born and bred. She is a Board Member at Epworth High School, was Chairperson of the Epworth High School Parents Association and was the Event Organiser for the Mudman Series (Epworth, Cordwalles, Richmond & Eston events). She values the opportunity to assist in the community by serving on the PMCB Management Board. She is serving her second term.
Themba Ndhlovu
An accomplished entrepreneur, Themba has extensive experience in starting, operating and managing business enterprises, from small start-ups that offer professional services to leading multi-million Rand private enterprises as a Director of companies. Themba’s expertise ranges from business administration to marketing insurance/financial products and services to recruiting and training sales staff; as well as mentoring emerging entrepreneurs along the supply chain of the many business enterprises that he gets involved in. Among the notable achievements in mentoring SMMEs, is the development of a number of SMMEs in the construction industry by conceptualising and implementing an accelerated development school building programme. Some of the SMMEs grew from very small entities with 1GB to major players with higher CIDB gradings. Themba is serving his second term on the Board.
David Poole
David Poole is a Director at long established law firm, Austen Smith Inc and currently heads up the firm’s collections department. He was admitted as an attorney in 1994 and has over thirty years’ experience in the collection of debts in a fast and efficient manner. Dave is a past chairman of the Pietermaritzburg Attorneys’ Association and is currently representing the Association as its Treasurer. He is also a member of the board at Epworth School and chairs the Physical Planning & Development Committee.
Raj Seeparsad
Raj Seeparsad is among the most experienced and well-respected Human Resources Practitioner in KwaZulu Natal. He has local, continental and global HR and labour experience. He is a coach and mentor to several Human Resources professionals. Raj was instrumental in setting up the 1st Public Sector HR Conference through the Premier of KZN’s office and has presented papers at the Public Sector HR conferences and other related conferences both nationally, continentally and internationally. He is a registered Skills Development Facilitator and a member of the PMCB’s Management Board and EXCO. He is a past 2nd Deputy President at PMCB.
Raj represents the PMCB at the Department of Employment & Labour’s Stakeholders Forum and he’s served on the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) Stakeholder’s Forum. Raj chairs the PMCB’s People Management Forum and is a member of the Staffing Portfolio Committee. He is the Past President of the Institute of People Management South Africa. Raj is a member of the Management Board of the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA) representing the African Continent and he is the President of the African Human Resources Confederation (AHRC) – re-elected at the WFPMA AGM in Dubai in June 2025 for a 2 year period ending in June 2027.
Raj is the recipient of several National, Continental and Global HR and related Leadership Awards. Raj had the African Award bestowed on him by the Minister of Labour in Rwanda in November 2025 for “In recognition of your exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing the HR profession in Africa”. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in HR and Labour related matters including but not limited to Management, Supervisors and Shop Stewards training, CCMA & DRC preparation and representation and general Employee/Employer Relation matters. He is currently a HR & Labour Consultant to many organizations.
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith is the current Director: College Business at Maritzburg College and represents the Education sector in Pietermaritzburg. Education remains a major employer in Pietermaritzburg with massive collective capital investment. Quality and excellence in Education in any City meets one of the key fundamental needs of families wishing to relocate and accept an offer of employment from any business in the city. A representative from the school community on the PMCB Board provides valuable insight. Kevin is serving his second term on the Board.
Mziwamadoda Tyhokolo
Chief Executive Officer | Business Executive | Energy Sector Specialist
Mzi is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of experience in the gas industry, including 18 years at SLG (Pty) Ltd. He is currently serving as CEO of SLG for the past four years, leading South Africa’s second-largest natural gas trading company with a strong footprint in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Mzi has proven expertise in business development, sales, stakeholder and customer relationship management, contract negotiation, strategic planning, operations management, and key account implementation. He is known for delivering measurable business growth and operational excellence.
Recognized for a transformational leadership style, Mzi is a driven and independent professional with strong analytical, decision-making, negotiation, and communication skills. He is highly respected by peers and colleagues across the industry.