MIDDELBURG - The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NAFCOC) has established a local task team in the Steve Tshwete Municipality with the aim of rejuvenating its organisational structures in preparation for an upcoming provincial conference, where fresh leadership will emerge.

On Monday, 23 February 2026, NAFCOC’s national and provincial leaders made their way to the Steve Tshwete Municipality in Middelburg to roll out the local task team.

Comprising a diverse group of local entrepreneurs from various sectors—including construction, mining, agriculture, retail, security, manufacturing, hospitality, transport, as well as representatives for youth, women and people with disabilities—this elected team is poised to drive the preparations for the conference. Their mission is to recruit, formalise, coordinate and realign the different sectors in accordance with NAFCOC’s constitutional guidelines.

Speaking to the Highveld Chronicle, NAFCOC Mpumalanga Secretary General Happy Mbuyane said they are in revival mode. “We are reviving all the structures of NAFCOC in Mpumalanga as mandated by the national office to launch revival, unity and renewal as per the guidelines of the Constitution of 2011, which states that NAFCOC should be sector-based. This is an exciting time for collaboration and growth within the community!” he explained.

“The duration of the elected leadership is six months to conclude the above-mentioned responsibility and then go to conference.”

It appears there are two parallel NAFCOC structures operating in Steve Tshwete. After the launch, the publication was introduced to a letter from an already existing NAFCOC structure in the area. “NAFCOC Steve Tshwete remains the only legitimate and recognised structure operating within its jurisdiction under the authority of the provincial structure,” said the letter signed by the Secretary, Mandla Dlamini.

“It has come to the attention of the branch leadership of NAFCOC Steve Tshwete that certain individuals, who are not in good standing with the organisation, have unlawfully constituted themselves as a structure purporting to operate under the name and banner of NAFCOC.

“We categorically state that this splinter group is not recognised, not authorised and does not have any mandate to represent NAFCOC Steve Tshwete or any of its duly constituted provincial structures.

“The use of the NAFCOC name, logo and identity without lawful authority constitutes a serious violation of organisational governance and may amount to misrepresentation. Members of the business community, stakeholders, government departments and partners are hereby formally advised that any engagements, agreements, commitments or representations made by this unauthorised grouping are done without the sanction or approval of NAFCOC Steve Tshwete.”

In response, Mbuyane conceded there are currently two parallel structures in the province. However, he said there are negotiations to become one. “We have started engagements with each other through the national office to unite and renew the organisation. I can confirm that the unity and renewal process is not easy at all, but we are guided by the Constitution of 2011,” he said.