Chief Operations Officer, The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
SOUTH AFRICA
Dr. Anneline Chetty is a distinguished leader in the public sector, renowned for her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to economic and industrial development in South Africa. With a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science, which she impressively completed in just five semesters, and a Master’s in Town and Regional Planning, Dr. Chetty exemplifies determination, efficiency, and intellectual prowess. She brings extensive investment experience through specialised training and has demonstrated her expertise in project management, earning a relevant qualification from the University of Natal.
Her extensive career spans pivotal roles at the Ethekwini Municipality and the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. At Ethekwini, she was instrumental in developing and implementing tourism policies and strategies, significantly impacting the city’s economic landscape. Dr. Chetty’s leadership in managing tourism business intelligence and conducting comprehensive research on international platforms such as the World Travel Market and the International Travel Board in Germany has been pivotal in transforming Durban into a globally recognized tourism destination.
In her current capacity, Dr. Chetty provides strategic oversight to various government entities, including her roles as Former Chair of HR&REMCO at Centurion Aerospace Village, Former Chair of Audit and Risk, Deputy Chairperson at Productivity SA, and Former Director on the Board of the National Metrology Institute of South Africa. She also chairs the Project Management Committee at the Industrial Development Corporation, overseeing the implementation of the Clothing, Textile, Leather, and Footwear Growth Programme.
Dr. Chetty’s influence extends to the innovation sector, where she pioneered the innovation program at Ethekwini Municipality, establishing Innovate Durban. Her efforts have fostered economic growth through innovation in both public and private sectors. Under her leadership, the Youth Innovation Summit in Durban gained national acclaim, with plans for further innovative programmes.
Dr. Chetty’s contributions have been recognised with numerous awards, including the Standard Bank Top Women in Public Sector 2017, Mrs. Commonwealth 2018, Women of Excellence 2018 from the Women’s Economic Forum in New Delhi, India, and Influential Women Gauteng 2019. Her ability to drive policy formulation and implementation, coupled with her strategic oversight and exceptional communication skills, has made her a respected figure in the field of economic development.
With a deep passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Chetty has published a book on Entrepreneurship in South Africa and actively participated in various academic platforms, facilitating the hosting of the International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Durban. Her achievements also include publishing a book on promoting entrepreneurship in South Africa, reflecting her comprehensive knowledge and commitment to fostering economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship.