The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has announced the appointment of Lunga Mjodo as its new Chief Growth Officer, a strategic leadership role created to support the continued expansion of the Chamber’s economic development initiatives and strengthen its position as a catalyst for investment, enterprise development and job retention and creation in the metro.
Mjodo, who will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Denise van Huyssteen, will officially resume in the role on 01 June 2026 at a pivotal time as the Chamber scales its flagship Bay of Opportunity initiative and broadens its economic growth agenda across several strategic focus areas.
The appointment reflects the Chamber’s growing influence in driving collaborative economic development initiatives aimed at unlocking the metro’s untapped potential, attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic growth across Nelson Mandela Bay.
As Chief Growth Officer, Mjodo will lead and coordinate several key strategic focus areas, including trade and investment promotion, MSME development, entrepreneurship support, skills development, economic intelligence and the Chamber’s empowerment network. The role will also oversee the planned expansion of the Bay of Opportunity initiative through the establishment of dedicated Tourism and Africa Desks, aimed at positioning Nelson Mandela Bay more competitively within both domestic and international markets.
Mjodo joined the Chamber in 2022 as SMME and Entrepreneurship Desk Coordinator, where he played an instrumental role in formulating the organisation’s value proposition to the SMME sector through targeted initiatives and enhanced service offerings which currently support 446 small businesses. His appointment was underpinned by his deep understanding of the strategic role that small businesses and entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive economic growth and job creation.
He was later promoted to Business Information Manager before transitioning into the role of Strategic Initiatives Manager, where his mandate expanded to include driving strategic growth initiatives across the organisation.
During his tenure, Mjodo has proactively driven the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship, Trade and Investment and Skills Development Desks, helping to position these platforms as important enablers of enterprise growth, business connectivity and investment promotion in the metro.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship, a BTech in Management Sciences and a National Diploma in Management Sciences from Nelson Mandela University.
Commenting on the appointment, Van Huyssteen said the creation of the Chief Growth Officer role was a deliberate and strategic move aligned to the Chamber’s long-term vision of strengthening Nelson Mandela Bay’s economic competitiveness and positioning the metro as a leading destination for investment and business growth.
“Lunga’s appointment comes at an important stage in the Chamber’s growth journey and reflects both the expanding scope of our work and the increasing momentum behind the Bay of Opportunity initiative,” said van Huyssteen.
“The Bay of Opportunity has evolved significantly beyond its original mandate and will soon incorporate the establishment of the Tourism and Africa-focused initiatives. This growth requires focused strategic leadership to ensure that these initiatives are not only scaled effectively, but also sustained over the long term in a manner that delivers measurable economic impact.”
She said Mjodo had consistently demonstrated strong leadership, strategic insight and a deep understanding of the economic opportunities and challenges facing the metro.
“Lunga has played a critical role in building and strengthening both our Desks into credible and impactful platforms that support business growth, investment attraction and enterprise development. His ability to build strategic partnerships, identify opportunities and drive collaborative initiatives has contributed meaningfully to the Chamber’s broader economic development agenda.”
Van Huyssteen said the appointment was particularly important as the Chamber intensified efforts to diversify and future-proof the local economy.
“There is significant untapped potential within Nelson Mandela Bay and we must continue working collectively to unlock new areas of growth and opportunity. Diversifying the economy is essential if we are to build resilience and create sustainable jobs, particularly in high-potential sectors such as tourism, global business outsourcing, entrepreneurship and trade.”
“The Chief Growth Officer role is therefore not only about organisational growth, but about driving a broader economic growth agenda for the metro. It supports our vision of being a leading catalyst for retaining and attracting investment and jobs into the Bay while ensuring that businesses of all sizes are able to participate meaningfully in the local economy.”
She added that the Chamber remained committed to creating platforms and partnerships that strengthen the region’s competitiveness while positioning Nelson Mandela Bay as an investment destination of choice.
“With the continued growth of Bay of Opportunity and the expansion of our strategic focus areas, this appointment places the Chamber in a stronger position to coordinate impactful initiatives that can help unlock inclusive economic growth and long-term prosperity for the metro,” Van Huyssteen said.
