This month saw the celebration of the top business achievers at the KZN Top Business Awards. I was honoured to be able to attend the wonderful event hosted by Top Business, Standard Bank and the eLan Property Group. During the presentations given by the various businesses and Standard Bank, it was very clear that KZN business has top business achievers we can be proud of. Through very difficult economic times and political upheaval these businesses still thrive through hard work and tenacity.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business awards powered by the eLan Property Group. Your achievements are outstanding considering the difficult economic conditions we find ourselves in.

The interaction with KZN business, at these functions, always brings a sparkle of hope in an otherwise gloomy national economic horizon. KZN business continues to rally together in ensuring business stays relevant and is a key role player in the province's growth and development. The drive to succeed no matter what the obstacles.

With growing pressure on the government fiscus and the negative economic growth, there is growing tension for government to increase service tariffs while not stifling business incentives. What is evident is investment by the private sector is key. To unlock this private investment, government needs to provide a platform for easy entry into the provincial market. The 'One Stop Shop', for government led approvals and licencing, is critical. Business is faced with a barrage of legislatured licencing and approvals when investing in the region. These processes are very cumbersome, often duplicated through government departments and always tagged with a huge financial burden that is unnecessary. If all that government and business concentrate on is this 'One Stop Shop', radical economic change will be achieved in a very short space of time.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Xolani Gumede on being elected President of the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and Musa Makhunga on being elected President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry at these chamber's recent AGMs. Congratulations!