In a strategic collaboration aimed at ensuring that the metro has proactive measures in place to minimise the risks to local businesses associated with weather and other disasters, Hollard Insurance, Santam Insurance, and Simah have pledged their support to enable the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber to establish a Risk Management Desk. This partnership will kick-start the Desk and empower it to leverage expert knowledge to proactively identify and mitigate risk factors in the metro, particularly those that affect local businesses, says Chamber Chief Executive, Denise van Huyssteen.
The Risk Management Desk serves as a vital component in the Chamber’s resurgence drive for an enabling operating environment to be in place, with focus areas including proactive maintenance of storm water drains, removal of alien vegetation, and the functionality of fire hydrants.
“By utilising the expertise of key industry players like Hollard, Santam and Simah, the Desk will be able to quickly assess risk areas, develop timely interventions, and provide critical insights that help safeguard infrastructure, human life, and the continuity of business operations,” Van Huyssteen adds. The Desk will also play a support role to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s disaster management department by providing key inputs from stakeholders in business. It is thus expected to play a complementary role in providing technical expertise, insights, and other forms of support.
Key priorities involve reducing the impact of weather-related disasters, mapping out risk areas, providing technical inputs and other support for the implementation of sustainable interventions, education, coordinating business responses to natural disasters such as floods or fires, and collaborating with the Chamber’s geographical clusters and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to ensure that there is a proactive approach to identifying risks and developing mitigation plans.
The Chamber’s Disaster Management Task Team, which includes a number of business and stakeholder volunteers, will play a key role in helping to inform and drive actions on the ground. Nick Chapman, a member of the Chamber’s Disaster Management Task Team, lauded the initiative as a milestone in public-private cooperation. “The establishment of the Risk Management Desk marks a turning point in how we approach disaster readiness in Nelson Mandela Bay. It sends a clear message that local business is not just a passive observer but an active contributor to the region’s resilience strategy. The Desk will serve as a vital platform for translating business insights into tangible risk mitigation actions on the ground.”
The partnership underscores the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to risk management. By aligning public and private sector interests, the initiative creates an integrated framework for disaster preparedness and response. Van Huyssteen further elaborates that this collaborative effort moves away from siloed approaches and fosters a unified, solutions-driven mindset, where all key players, including insurers, businesses, local government, and community organisations, work together for the common good.
“By bringing together expertise from diverse sectors, we are advancing a holistic strategy that prioritises prevention and resilience over reaction,” says Deanne Bezuidenhout, Hollard’s Head of Environmental, Social and Governance. “Disaster prevention is far more effective and less costly than recovery. Through this partnership, we are reinforcing the city’s ability to quickly detect risks and implement preventative measures, ensuring that Nelson Mandela Bay is better equipped to face future challenges.”
Commenting on the partnership, Neptal Khoza, Head of Market Development for Santam Insurance highlights that the initiative is particularly important for ensuring the continuity of business operations within the city, which in turn supports the overall economic stability of the region. “Businesses depend on a stable environment to operate efficiently and maintain profitability. The ability to minimise disruptions caused by weather-related incidents ensures that companies can maintain operations and continue contributing to the local economy. The Desk plays a pivotal role in reducing downtime and mitigating financial losses that could otherwise result from unforeseen disasters,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of The Simah Group, Khanyisa Gogela, Corporate Account Executive noted the importance of data-driven decision-making and stakeholder collaboration. “At Simah, we believe in the power of actionable insights to drive smarter, faster responses to disaster risks. Our involvement in the Risk Management Desk reflects our commitment to using data and innovation to support proactive risk identification and intervention. By aligning with partners like the Chamber and the municipality, we are helping to create a more resilient metro that can anticipate and manage threats before they escalate.”
