Minara Chamber of Commerce
The Minara Women's Association aim is to encourage more women to think and act economically and improve their lifestyles by initiating and running successful and innovative businesses.
Previously many women in business were operating in a vacuum. Now our gratitude goes to a visionary leadership of the Minara Chamber of Commerce whose foresight founded MWA. Ever since the MWA lifted off the ground, Minara Chamber, has demonstrated passion for women empowerment, and created new spaces for us to operate on as a platform for business and networking opportunities. The Minara board had a humble beginning with only two women who then formed the MWA, for women in business.
With sheer commitment, we have, individually and collectively, taken MWA to newer levels of influence, integrity and presence in the business world.
Founded in April 2011 and officially launched in May 2012, MWA seeks to unite South African women with different talents and skills in creating a platform for self-empowerment and business development.
The organisation has had several workshops covering topics such as leadership development, Consumer Protection Act, Companies Act, SMME (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise) best practice, Tablet/Smartphone, challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the business work, beauty training workshops.
To date the Minara Women's Association celebrated women's month programmes for the indigent women from the informal settlements in Durban as part of the Women's month activities 2014.
Fawzia Peer: Chairperson of the Minara Women's Association
Under the astute leadership of career woman and politician, Councilor Fawzia Peer, who has gone beyond executive duty, the MWA has been put on the map in our broader society. Fawzia is also a director of the Minara Chamber of Commerce.
Fawzia Peer is an ANC PR Councilor and appointed EXCO members of the eThekwini Municipality where she serves as the chairperson of the Finance and Procurement cluster. She was previously the Chief Whip of the eThekwini Council, a position she held from 2006 to 2010. She is a labour specialist who holds post graduate diploma in Labour Law, as well as in Labour Relations from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in addition to an Honour's degree in Social Science from the same university. She is a passionate community activist as well as a wife and mother.
Minara Chamber of Commerce Mission and Vision
"Leadership in business through empowerment and collaboration"
The Minara Chamber of Commerce is a formally constituted organisation formed in May 2000, through an initiative by the Muslim community to create unity between Muslim businesses. Over the past eleven years the Chamber has grown tremendously and now serves as a platform to represent and assist South African businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals.
The name Minara was chosen for the Chamber as it aptly reflects the vision and the objectives of the organisation. A "Minara" is a tall tower built on a solid base from where announcements are made. It can be seen from a distance and is a beacon. The Chamber is built on this definition, with solid structures towering from education, ethical conduct, knowledge and the experience of the community. These are built on the solid base of Islamic principles and code of conduct, thus making information, opportunities and linkages, a beacon towards which the community gathers and benefits.
The Minara Chamber of Commerce strives for a high degree of professionalism and an ethos of credibility, dedication, passion and vision. The Chamber has received official recognition from the South African government and trade organisations and has established formal relationships with other Chambers of Commerce.
