PMCB IN THE MEDIA
PMCB Latest News
2026 PMCB News
Another soccer blow for pmb
As Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness said, more should have been done to accommodate a home team that wanted to …
Business sector seeks police meeting following Laco protests
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness said the validity of the issues raised has been undermined by the way …
High court forces tariff rethink for Msunduzi and three metros
The court applications were brought against Nersa by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), as well as the Casting, Forging …
New electricity tariff bungle hits Joburg, Ekurhuleni and others
… Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business for Msunduzi. The four cases were heard simultaneously, resulting in the same order for all of …
Court orders Nersa to redo municipal tariffs in some areas, putting households and industry on edge
Stephen Grootes speaks to Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, about the far reaching implications of …
Another Nersa blunder, as court orders do-over of electricity tariffs for 4 municipalities
Stephen Grootes gets more detail from Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, which was involved in the court …
Nersa to redo electricity tariffs for Joburg, three other municipalities
In the Msundizi case, the applicant is the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business NPC. They asked that Nersa’s approval of the 2024/25 …
BAT shuttering SA plant as illicit cigarettes surge; court orders Nersa tariff redo.
… trade. In other interviews, Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business and Energy Expert at IMPOWER Matthew …
Nersa told to revisit disputed Msunduzi electricity tariffsl
The court applications were brought against Nersa by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, as well as the Casting, Forging and …
Pietermaritzburg Chamber CEO issues stark warning to government about failing infrastructure in the KZN capital
Class of 2025 achieves 98.3% pass rate. A victory for the members: How MediCheck and a consumer outcry stopped Discovery’s massive clawback. Plus, Pietermaritzburg Chamber CEO issues stark warning to government about failing infrastructure in the KZN capital.
Pietermaritzburg decay: Business leaders demand provincial government intervention
Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business, stated that the business community requires urgent intervention.
PMCB News Archive 2025
2025 PMCB News
PMCB wins global enterprise development leadership award
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has earned global recognition for its role in driving economic development, taking …
Msunduzi Municipality's financial woes persist amid recovery plan setbacks
CEO of Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business, Melanie Veness, said Msunduzi should be placed under full administration, describing the …
Major development planned for Pietermaritzburg's historic beer hall
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness said the demolition of Ematsheni years back had exposed the city …
PMB gridlock as 34 000 jobseekers converge for 200 RTI trainee posts
The heavy congestion disrupted businesses and schools across the city. Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business ( …
Eco-friendly Jesmondene Estate launched at annual business banquet
Pietermaritzburg’s residential landscape is set for an exciting transformation with the launch …
PMCB honours local business excellence
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) held its annual awards and banquet last Friday evening, celebrating excellence, …
Msunduzi secures over R1 billion in investments
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness said the investment demonstrates that Pietermaritzburg is a favourable business …
Court ruling could change municipal electricity tariffs in South Africa
Melanie Veness, the chief executive of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, said the court ruled that the tariff increases …
How counterfeit goods threaten KwaZulu-Natal's economy and job creation
… chamber concluded. Melanie Veness, the chief executive of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, said that counterfeit goods were …
PMCB welcomes Nersa High Court ruling
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) chief executive Melanie Veness has welcomed the Gauteng High Court ruling that declared …
Businesses 'playing the system' as Msunduzi battles to recover billions
The Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) has expressed outrage, demanding urgent answers from City officials. Chief executive officer …
PMCB welcomes pledges of over R100 billion investment in KZN
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has welcomed the strong vote of confidence shown by investors, who have pledged over …
Another top city soccer team considers relocating from PMB
… Pietermaritzburg PSL teams Royal AM and Maritzburg United. … Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie …
Residents urge City to fix leaks as water restrictions begin
Meanwhile, the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business says while rationale for the curtailment is understood, addressing the …
U.S. Consul General strengthens ties in KZN during visit
At the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, she engaged with business leaders on advancing education, skills development, exchange …
Mixed reactions to Sutcliffe's appointment as City faces yet another intervention
Dr John Buyers, president of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, praised Sutcliffe as an efficient administrator and expressed hope …
Country's future at stake if leaders do not heed civil society concerns
Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness described the National Dialogue as a golden opportunity for South Africans to …
South Africa scrambles as U.S. tariffs take effect despite talks
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness said the impact of the tariffs had already rippled through key export …
Pietermaritzburg Airport expansion plan: Strong support from local stakeholders
… business and tourism. Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), stated that additional routes from …
Pietermaritzburg Airport's Bold Growth Strategy Gains Momentum
… business and government travelers especially benefiting from a nearby airport. Economic groups like the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of …
Msunduzi unveils ambitious plans for airport expansion
Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business … Pietermaritzburg Airport will facilitate trade. “New routes …
Call for more routes from PMB Airport amid rising demand
The Chamber has also been advocating for a Cape Town route from the … Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB). ALSO READ …
PMB gears up for Amashova as excitement builds across Midlands
CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Melanie Veness, said: “Hosting events that start in the region is great for the …
Nersa approves 13,32% tariff hike for Msunduzi
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business chief executive, Melanie Veness, said it was frustrating that Nersa and the municipality were …
Tariff blow will realign global manufacturing decisions — Veness
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), said the proposed tariff hike would hit all manufacturers …
Melanie Veness appointed to top international chamber body
Pietermaritzburg’s Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), has been appointed to the International …
Chinese investment to bolster Pietermaritzburg's economy
“This is our main anchor in terms of economic activity.” Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness applauded the investment …
Zikalala aims to level the playing field for small contractors
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) and local ratepayers’ associations. Zikalala said that while the event was attended by …
Our Viewpoint | Growth must take centre stage
Melanie Veness of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business said the growth figure is “nowhere near good enough” to address poverty or …
Pmb residents outraged by steep tariff hikes amid poor service delivery
Yunus Asmall, a business owner in the Pietermaritzburg … Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, said organised businesses were …
R8,3 billion owed as Msunduzi weighs bold rescue package
Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Debt-burdened consumers in Msunduzi … The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) chief …
Msunduzi Municipality defends proposed tariff increases
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has expressed strong unhappiness over both the proposed tariff increases and the …
Msunduzi approves controversial budget and tariff hikes
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce, said the municipality disregarded valid objections. She called the …
City tariff tensions rise, but talks with industry continue
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has expressed strong unhappiness over both the proposed tariff increases, and the …
Olympic level AquaPark nears key construction milestone
The multi-million rand, world-class aquatics centre was unveiled at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) annual gala dinner …
SA's punished for going solar
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business, painted a grim picture of the current situation and its impact on the …
PMB Airport Flying Regulations
As Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, said: “If the new limits are unreasonable and they compromise the …
Shake-up begins at troubled Msunduzi City Hall
He said Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business chief executive officer Melanie Veness had been appointed as a formal member of the group.
New day clinic at Mediclinic PMB to boosts city's surgical capacity
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness welcomed the development and said that it’s a cause for celebration as …
Msunduzi to present budget to the public
The proposed tariff increases were met with criticism from the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB). PMCB chief executive …
Corruption probe into Msunduzi
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business also welcomed the investigation. CEO Melanie Veness expressed hope that the intervention …
Mixed reactions to Godongwana's budget
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness believes that while the R1 trillion infrastructure development allocation in …
ArcelorMittal to Idle Newcastle Plant, thousands of jobs at risk
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness echoed these sentiments, stating that the closure would have a huge negative …
Auditor-General releases damning Msunduzi audit report
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business said Msunduzi’s lack of improvement in financial management and service delivery was “maddening” …
Concern how Arcelor Mittal closures will affect workers and communities
WATCH | Efforts to save long steel business fail. According to Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness, this will have …
Outrage over government's aborted budget presentation
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness said a VAT increase would drive up the costs of all goods and services, …
Spat between Msunduzi and govt over Armitage Road land
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has thrown its weight behind the government precinct, arguing that it would inject …
Businesses warn that high tariffs will result in closures, job losses
At least 10 business owners, along with the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), which represents a further 100 leading …
Trump takes aim at South Africa
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness said the impact of Trump’s decision would be felt across the country if his …
Eskom's tariff increase: a burden for struggling South African citizens
WHILE ratepayer associations and business chambers … Melanie Veness, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of …
Ratepayers in Msunduzi Municipality facing steep proposed tariff hike for electricity
Melanie Veness, Chief Executive Officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, said the 2025/26 tariffs proposed by Msunduzi …
City property investment welcomed
… Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) said on Sunday. … Pietermaritzburg and the commitment to supporting local businesses …
Durban ICC to host Build KZN Better conference to tackle property issues
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness said a representative from the business chamber will be attending the …
Msunduzi's proposed tariff hike draws flak
Residents are up in arms over Msunduzi Municipality’s proposed tariff hikes for the 2025/26 financial year, particularly the steep 36% electricity …
ASAC opposes DTIC's proposed Transformation Fund
Association of South African Chambers (ASAC) said in a statement on Friday that they would not be supporting the Department of Trade, Industry and …
Mayor launches 'masterplan' to tackle city's dire state
The War Room initiative, based at the Church Street Mall, will focus on improving waste management and traffic control in the city centre.
Cautious optimism for South Africa's economic forecast
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) CEO Melanie Veness remains “cautiously optimistic” about the country’s 2025 economic …
PMCB News Archive 2024
2024 PMCB News
Msunduzi's R7 billion debt: Amnesty for wealthy sparks fierce backlash
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business said the tampering amnesty programme was outrageous, and that it punishes law-abiding …
ESKOM PRICE HIKE
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, called the proposal “completely unaffordable” and warned of the …
Civil society mobilises over proposed power tariff spike
Melanie Veness, chief executive officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), called the proposed increase irrational, …
Olympic-level aquatics facility unveiled for PMB
The project, which will benefit the entire city and region, was unveiled at the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PMCB) annual gala dinner on …
Mixed reactions to Godongwana's medium-term budget
CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Melanie Veness said: “Business has been cautiously optimistic post the elections and …
Public sector salaries are draining South Africa's GDP, says Moeletsi Mbeki
Addressing business leaders on Wednesday evening at a forum hosted by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business and sponsored by FNB …
Possible political fallout over Tshwane mayor change
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce, said the perceived political stability of the GNU had boosted business …
Msunduzi not out of the woods yet
Pietermaritzburg City Hall. … However, Melanie Veness, chief executive officer of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB), …
Cricket, business community mourns death of Shoaib Moosa
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, described Moosa as an intelligent, gracious man who was both a …
Boon for Edendale CBD
In a recent meeting with the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, municipal officials confirmed that the implementation of the civic …
GNU hailed as SA's economy turns the corner
Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, shared … Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business …
Boost for City's metro hopes
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce CEO Melanie Veness said the take-up of solar was partly fuelled by concern that we have not seen …
Power supply still a worry for business
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce CEO Melanie Veness said the take-up of solar was partly fuelled by concern that we have not seen …
Boost for small businesses
… ChamberRoosta award, an initiative by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business with Xtec. The ChamberRoosta was awarded to PDC for …
Merrivale entrepreneur secures funding to expand industrial packaging business
She was recently awarded a ChamberRoosta that is part of an initiative by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB).
Local business wins a ChamberRoosta Industry Game Changer Award
Naidoo recently received a ChamberRoosta Industry Game Changer Award from the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB). ChamberRoosta…
Discussion | Outcry over the increase of extortion gangs in SA
But how exactly is this impacting on business? Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business CEO, Melanie Veness had a conversation with eNCA’s …
No more free parking in Pietermaritzburg CBD
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) welcomed the initiative as it was a “good” revenue stream for the city. Chief …
MMA stars to feature at Pietermaritzburg Show
So mixed martial arts is for everyone, both young and old. Pietermaritzburg Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness said that the show is a …
Business rails against massive electricity hike
Melanie Veness from the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business said a 40% increase would be “absolutely devastating”. “Businesses are …
Rising above the challenges
Naidoo’s resilience in the business world has seen her getting accolades, including the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business …