BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

Founded in 1995, the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF) was built on a single, powerful mission: to empower black owned businesses with the tools, networks, and knowledge needed to thrive. While the journey to economic equity continues, true transformation demands more than intentions; it requires action, innovation, and unity. Today, WECBOF stands as a progressive platform where entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and government align. Through a spirit of collaboration and open-source leadership, we work side by side with key partners to build a stronger, more inclusive Western Cape economy.

Join us. Together, we achieve more.

“Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do good and great things. Believe that no mountain is so high you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. Believe in yourself.“
– Gordon B. Hinckley

OUR BUSINESS OBJECTIVES

To be the voice of business in the Western Cape

To promote a vibrant and thriving business environment

To promote economic growth

To provide business support services

To facilitate job creation and training

To explore and promote business opportunities

To create networking platforms

Provide all the latest news in business technology

CORE AREAS OF FOCUS

Access to information/Access to funding

Information is vital to business in this ever-changing world.  WECBOF facilitates access to information on new developments within the business/commercial sector which impacts our members, relevant legislation, business advice, and potential opportunities. 

We strive to become the one-stop portal of useful information via our suite of communications channels and fora.  Our strong connections with a number of funding agents enable us to advise our members on the appropriate agents for their funding needs.

Business support services/Access to opportunities Local and International

WECBOF works extensively with strategic partners and associates at a local, national, and international level to unlock potential opportunities for its members in order to promote business growth. Hosting of foreign business delegation offering opportunities to members is a high priority. Members have access to business support in the form of exposure in WECBOF’s monthly publications, exposure at exhibitions and trade fairs, and access to its many communications channels.

Lobbying role

WECBOF performs the role of lobbyist, petitioning Government at all levels regarding those issues which relate to the needs of the business community, with a particular focus on the small business sector.

Through platforms such as stakeholder forum meetings and organised events, members are encouraged to engage around those issues which affect the sustainability of their businesses, thereby effecting change in their environments. As the voice of the business community, WECBOF ensures that such issues are tabled at the appropriate levels.

Training, networking, and contacts

The creation of platforms for members to network and engage with industry peers is critical to the continued success of member companies; networking therefore remains a critical component of the service offered to members.

Training in the areas of financial and business management, marketing, and strategic business planning and development are offered in group scenarios, often represented by various industries in order to promote the exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences across sectors.

Partnering with corporates

2020 brought in the change in the WECBOF strategy. WECBOF has 8 sectors covering all the members. They include Construction and Engineering Sector, Manufacturing Sector, IT Sector, Corporate Sector, Professional Sector, Tourism and Hospitality Sector, Training Sector and Agriculture Sector. Each of the sectors is headed by a chairperson who is part of the WECBOF Board.

The results are very encouraging as members are benefitting from the networking as well as expert advice from the members and Board members.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Colin Daries (Chairperson)

Colin Daries is the Founder and Managing Director of Nu Era Group and serves as Chairperson of the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF). A veteran leader across the financial services, corporate governance, and non-profit sectors, Colin brings decades of strategic insight to the regional economy. His leadership history includes founding and chairing the Forum for Assistance to Business (FAB), serving on the FAIS Advisory Council under the Financial Services Board, and his ongoing role on the Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA) Transformation Council. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to community empowerment and socio-economic transformation, Colin also serves as Director of Community Chest, Director of the Jonathan Butler Foundation, and Founder & CEO of Arts Capital.

Gavin Hunter

With over three decades of dedicated leadership at Boshard Construction, Gavin Hunter has advanced from trainee buyer in 1992 to Joint Managing Director and fully qualified Quantity Surveyor. A passionate advocate for regional growth, Gavin is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and advancing economic opportunity across the Western Cape. His roles as a director for both WECBOF and Business Western Cape (Pty) Ltd (BWC) reflect his dedication to driving infrastructural development and expanding employment. A firm believer in the transformative power of the construction sector, Gavin brings invaluable industry expertise and strategic vision to the WECBOF board. Outside of his professional endeavors, he is a proud husband and father of three.

Brian Williams

Brian Williams is an accomplished Business Executive with extensive experience in Human Resources, Organisational Development, and sustainable transformation across corporate, industry, and SMME sectors. Specialising in strategy, policy development, and organisational design, Brian is adept at building customer focused HR teams that align talent with overarching corporate goals. With over two decades of experience in secondary and tertiary education, alongside roles across research councils, business schools, and the public sector, he brings deep expertise in governance, financial controls, and skills development to the WECBOF board.

Brian Sayed

Brian Sayed is the Managing Director of RBR Information Systems, where he oversees the development and support of Triton Software; a proprietary track and trace solution serving the fruit export industry across Southern Africa. Backed by over two decades of leadership experience in the oil industry, Brian brings extensive expertise in operational management, project design, change management, and socio-economic transformation to the WECBOF board. A dynamic and goal driven executive, he excels at balancing growth strategies with responsiveness to the broader social context. Brian is dedicated to leveraging innovation, building trusted stakeholder partnerships, and driving sustainable value for the regional business community.

Lionel Archillies

Lionel Archillies brings extensive public sector expertise, strategic business advisory skills, and a strong background in economic development to the WECBOF board. Holding a Master’s degree in International Business Administration, his career includes over a decade as Deputy Director at the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (dtic), as well as key leadership roles within the Western Cape Department of Economic Development & Tourism. Lionel has spent years facilitating SMME growth, managing grant funding applications, building public-private partnerships, and driving enterprise empowerment across the region. Having previously served as WECBOF’s Member Liaison Officer, he brings a deep, longstanding commitment to advancing sustainable business opportunities across the Western Cape.

Joseph Sass

Joseph Sass is a Chartered Accountant CA(SA) and WECBOF Board Director with extensive expertise in financial management, auditing, taxation, and corporate governance. He holds a BCom in Accounting, an Honours B.Compt from UNISA, and an Advanced Diploma in Auditing jointly awarded by UCT and RAU. Currently serving as Managing Partner at Pico Financial Services and Partner at JSA Consultants JV, Joseph completed his training with a major audit firm and has built a distinguished career spanning public and private sector advisory, forensic auditing, and tax assessment with SARS. His track record includes managing audits and due diligence for major institutions such as PetroSA, Koeberg Power Station, and various municipalities and FET colleges. Registered with SAICA and IRBA, Joseph also serves on the Masters Liquidation Panel and tutors third-year auditing at UNISA.

Kavita Kooverjee

Kavita Kooverjee is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, legal educator, and corporate governance specialist. Serving as a Night School Coordinator and Instructor at Law Society Development (L.E.A.D.), Kavita provides strategic commercial law consulting, contract negotiation, and practical legal guidance to emerging businesses and established organisations alike. A passionate advocate for ethical leadership and collaborative growth, she serves on multiple boards across the region. Kavita brings vital legal foresight, governance expertise, and a dedication to expanding economic opportunities for entrepreneurs to the WECBOF board.

Dr Rebecca Felix

Dr. Rebecca Felix is a Board Director at WECBOF, an accomplished scientist, and an established entrepreneur in the Western Cape’s educational sector. Holding a PhD in Human Molecular Genetics from the University of Cape Town; supported by prestigious Medical Research Council and Oxford University fellowships, Dr. Felix built a distinguished early career in medical research, health sciences education, and clinical genetics coordination. Transitioning her scientific rigor into business leadership, she founded Curious Cubs in 2006, an experiential science education enterprise operating across more than 30 schools. She is also the Co-Founder and Director of Grassroots Preparatory, an independent primary school in Cape Town. On the WECBOF board, Dr. Felix leverages nearly two decades of business ownership, STEM advocacy, and youth mentorship to support regional SME development and educational innovation.

Amanda Mvinjelwa

Amanda Mvinjelwa is a WECBOF Board Director, experienced key account manager, and senior operations strategist specializing in regional transportation, public sector travel, and aviation infrastructure. Holding a BCom in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of South Africa, a Higher Diploma in Taxation, and board director accreditation from the Directors Association of Southern Africa, Amanda brings a robust blend of strategic planning and governance expertise to the board. Her career highlights include serving as Regional Integration Manager and Key Account Manager at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), as well as Head of Travel Operations in the public sector for Tourvest Travel Services. On the WECBOF board, Amanda draws on her deep experience in stakeholder engagement, cross-sector integration, and contract management to drive operational excellence and economic opportunities for local SMMEs.

Zaida Jackson

Zaida Jackson is an Enterprise Development Specialist and the Founder of The Wisdom Forge, bringing over three decades of expertise in SME support, strategic coaching, and public sector enterprise growth to the WECBOF board. Holding an Honours degree in Public Management from Stellenbosch University Business School, her distinguished career includes executive roles such as Branch Manager at Sedfa (formerly Seda/Capemac) and Executive Director at Sarebi. Zaida specialises in guiding established small and medium enterprises from operator led businesses into scalable, leader led organisations through growth planning, operational strengthening, and stakeholder partnership strategies. With extensive governance experience across organisations like the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Business Western Cape, she brings invaluable strategic leadership and a passion for sustainable economic empowerment to WECBOF.

Nikita Mfenyana

Nikita Mfenyana is a Strategic Advisor, Board Director, and SME Ecosystem Builder with over 30 years of experience in development finance, corporate governance, and entrepreneurial scaling. Holding an MSc in Engineering from Moscow Civil Engineering Institute, alongside credentials in accounting, finance, and small enterprise consulting, Nikita brings deep analytical precision and directorial oversight to the WECBOF board. His extensive background includes 18 years as Regional Consulting Manager at Business Partners Ltd, Senior Account Manager at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and roles across major civil infrastructure entities. Currently serving as Director and Investment Committee Member at Cape Equity Investments (CEI) and Business Owner Coach at The Alternative Board (TAB), Nikita specializes in financial due diligence, risk management, and transforming SMEs into investment ready, self-managing assets.

Arifa Parkar (CEO)

Arifa Parkar is the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF), Deputy Chairperson of Business Western Cape, and owner of Aasha Investment Solutions. With a rich international background spanning Zanzibar, the Seychelles, and India; where she earned degrees in Economics, Politics (BA), and Law (LLB). Arifa brings a truly global perspective to regional enterprise development. Her career includes over a decade as Marketing Manager at the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with credentials in language education, marketing, and management. Known as a consummate problem solver and dynamic networker, Arifa excels at matching businesses with key opportunities across Cape Town and the province. On the WECBOF board, she combines strategic mentorship and cross sector advocacy with a results driven commitment to empowering entrepreneurs.

WECBOF’S OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE

The premise of WECBOF’s new refined Operational Structure is one of lateral interaction (working side by side with other organisations). A modern approach: of open source leadership. One that is visionary, resourceful and able to include all stakeholders into its plan.