Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
The Minara Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Ebrahim Patel as its new president.
Patel, who previously served as chairperson, now takes over from outgoing president Solly Suleman and is set to expand the Chambers’ influence locally and globally. Fawzia Peer is set to serve as Vice President.
Patel, an expert in international trade and economic diplomacy, expressed gratitude to the Almighty [Allah] for giving them this responsibility and role. He acknowledged the strong foundation laid by the previous board and, most importantly, previous president Solly Suleman, who will continue as an advisory member. Essa Hassim has been appointed Secretary General, while Zain Mitha has taken on the role of Treasurer.
Fawzia Peer, drawing from her leadership experience, encouraged members to engage actively. “As we embark on this exciting new chapter, supported by the new Board of Directors, I encourage all of our members to actively participate in these opportunities to strengthen their businesses, create new partnerships, and play a role in South Africa ’ s growing position in the global economy,” said Peer.
Initially founded within the Muslim community, the chamber has since expanded to accommodate businesses from various sectors and industries.
Reflecting on the chamber’s achievements over the past 25 years, Patel told Al-Qalam about the impact of the Minara Business Awards. “The business awards that we launched fifteen years ago have been one of the greatest achievements of the chamber. It recognises excellence within the Muslim community, particularly in business and professional sectors, giving individuals the recognition they deserve. More importantly, it serves as encouragement for future generations by providing them with examples to follow,” he explained.
Beyond the awards, the Minara Chamber has positioned itself as a significant voice within the South African business sphere. “We are consulted by government, we represent businesses on government forums, and we are able to lobby the SA Government on issues that affect our members,” Patel said.
Patel’s vision for the chamber includes strengthening its regional offices and expanding its relevance to members nationwide. Originally based in KwaZulu-Natal, Minara has expanded with offices in Johannesburg and the Western Cape. “The focus is going to be how we strengthen those three regions so that we become more representative in all three regions,” he stated.
The chamber also seeks to leverage international relationships to create new opportunities for South African businesses. Patel told Al-Qalam they have strong ties with the International Islamic Chamber of Commerce. “The question is, how do we use those relationships to open doors for our members, particularly in those countries and particularly the Middle East? Last year, South Africa began exporting Halaal beef to Indonesia. There is potential to expand exports and strengthen our trade relationships with several key markets,” he said.
Minara has also appointed new regional leadership.
Patel confirmed that Shabir Chohan, CEO of Albaraka Bank, was appointed as Chairperson of the KwaZulu Natal region; Asgar Mahomed, CEO of Esquire Technologies, has been appointed Chairperson of the Gauteng region; and Reaaz Ahmed, CEO of Good Hope Meats is the Chairperson of the Western Cape Region.
Patel also acknowledged the economic and political challenges facing South Africa but expressed optimism about the future. “We are in very challenging and trying times. There is a global focus on South Africa from the United States, and we need to prepare for any eventualities that may arise. However, within these challenges, there are great opportunities,” he noted.
He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a key avenue for businesses. “There is huge potential in the 52 countries that make up this unified economic bloc. South Africa has also strengthened its relationships in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where we are now an observer member of the ASEAN region. The focus will be on leveraging these opportunities to help our members expand globally,” he said.
As he embarks on his new term, Patel remains committed to advancing Minara’s mission of fostering business growth and creating opportunities for South African enterprises on a global scale.
