City Manager Laments the Death of Founder of Ekurhuleni Business Network

Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi has expressed shock and sadness at the passing of local businessman and founder of the Ekurhuleni Business Initiative, which was later rebranded as the Ekurhuleni Business Network, Chris van Biljoen.

The 72-year-old Van Biljoen passed on in his sleep in Kempton Park on Saturday.

“This is a very sad day for the people of Ekurhuleni, especially the business community. Mr Van Biljoen was a dedicated and a hard working individual who was passionate about the success of small business in the region,” said Dr Mashazi.

She says the City had formed a formidable partnership with Mr Van Biljoen’s EBN ‘because we shared a similar vision in terms of ensuring that that Ekurhuleni’s economy remained vibrant and advocated for the success of local business, regardless of the size’.

Mr Van Biljoen initiated the business network organisation over 15 years ago to serve the interests of corporates, and small, medium and micro-sized enterprises throughout Ekurhuleni. He always believed in ‘pushing the envelope in order to put businesses on the map and see them grow and prosper’.

“His passion for growing small business over all cultures will always be remembered. As a metro, we hope that in his absence the EBN will continue with his vision to empower all enterprises so that they thrive and achieve profitability and success within the current unprecedented economic environment,” said Dr Mashazi.