Author: Midcham Newsletters

STLM Solidarity Fund Nomination

STLM Solidarity Fund

The Council of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) sat on 30 June 2020 and resolved to establish an independent Board of Directors of the Municipal Solidarity Fund, in line with South African Local Government Association Guidelines.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) received a written request to nominate one representative to form part of the Board of Directors.  The nomination would be done with NAFCOC to ensure that one representative is nominated.

MCCI’s nominee gave a declaration that the company he represents did not do business with STLM recently or was not planning to do business with STLM in the future.  That request is part of MCCI’s endeavour not to expose our members to possible allegations of corruption. Also, you cannot give independent opinions, when you need to recuse yourself from the meeting when essential decisions need to be taken.

MCCI was informed this week that Mr Moeketsi Mpotu, Executive Member of MCCI has been appointed as Board Member.

Nelson Mandela International Day

Business Giving Back

Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday. … Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.

We want to say thank you to Phillips Machine South Africa (Pty) Ltd and BB Transport (Pty) Ltd for helping families in need.

Phillips Machine South Africa (Pty) Ltd donated 70 food parcels to CMR. CMR is flooded with request for food; the social workers identified families in need. Hannami Scholtz (HR and Marketing Manager) accepting the donation from John Pinheiro (Managing Director at Phillips Machine South Africa).

BB Transport (Pty) Ltd distributed 120 food parcels in Kriel to support the elderly. They feel the importance of uplifting the areas where they operate. The BB Transport team is Best Sifunda (HR Admin), Natalie Niewwoudt (HR Officer), Dorne Stuurman (Strategic Sourcing), Ntomi Mazubane (Director), Danelle Ludick (HR Manager) and Angel Msibi (Executive Assistant).

We have a full month dedicated to helping families in need, do you need to claim B-BBEE points, or just want to help a family. Please contact office 0132432253. We need your support!

 MCCI Partners

Visit our Resorts for a Day!

The Middelburg Local Tourism Organization held a meeting recently to discuss what we can do to support our Tourism Industry.  One of the activities we could do is to be a Day Visitor at our resorts.

The Government Gazette published on 29 June 2020 declared that it is now legal to travel for leisure within your Province. The rules and regulations that apply to business also apply to the tourism resorts, establishments or facilities, such as keeping a daily record of the full names, Identity Number or Passport Number, nationality, nature of his/her position (i.e. temporary, casual or permanent), residential address and cell phone numbers, of all employees and guests.

We urge our members to follow the rules and think safety first.  You should also keep the records for the duration of the national state of disaster, and six weeks after the end of the national state of disaster. All visitors MUST be screened, sanitized and must wear a mask at all times.

For more info, you can contact the Mmabatho Phatakge at the Tourism Information Centre on 013 243 2253 or info@middelburginfo.com.

Mpumalanga Economic Recovery Dialogue

Mpumalanga Economic Recovery Dialogue

The Department Of Economic Development And Tourism will be hosting a webinar to pave the way for the Province’s economic recovery post-COVID-19.

The webinar will be held on 6 August 2020, at 10h00 – 14h00. You should register with Ms Carphunia Nyalungu at nyalungucr@mpg.gov.za no later than 30 July 2020.

It is advisable for all business owners to log on this webinar to learn of ways of rebuilding their businesses post this Covid-19.

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Feeling Isolated? MCCI has the answer

Businesses have to find ways to network, sell their services and products to be successful. In the current environment activities that worked previously is no longer an option.  MCCI has found a way where you can network, sell your product, and not feel so isolated.

Everyone is talking about using digital marketing services to promote themselves.  Or the ever-present call centres that put another barrier between the customer and the business.  To use the various digital platforms you or an employee has to implement and manage the programme. The training curve to ensure you know how to run a campaign within your business could be steep.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has been working since October last year on ways to give our members the opportunity to reach the MCCI’s business network.  We arranged and hosted our first Virtual Business Buzz, and it was a great success.  Attendees could see, speak and exchange information in a safe environment, and the sponsor in this chase ActionCoach could promote their product.

MCCI arranged, promoted and hosted the Virtual Business Buzz, and used our network of member businesses to promote the event.  For the sponsor, it was effortless, all that he had to do was to prepare his presentation.  Members interested in sponsoring a Virtual Buzz, please contact Colette Lubbe at secretary@middelburginfo.com.

MCCI 2020 Golf Day

 

Middelburg Chamber hosted another corporate golf day, on 17 July 2020. We had a full field and everyone cooperated within Covid-19 regulations.

Our sponsors ensured a very successful event:

  • FAW Highveld/ETTC group
  • Johan Venter Makelaars
  • Thos Begbie & Co
  • Alveston Manor Small Hotel
  • BB Transport
  • CLV Group
  • Nashua
  • Qembu Motors
  • Brimis Engineering
  • Middelburg Country Club
  • Vista Wa Seroka
  • Vodacom
  • Projects Presentations PPIT
  • Ficom networks/Corlink
  • ACDC Express
  • Phillips Machine SA
  • Actioncoach business coaching
  • GK Steel
  • Nungu Property Group
  • Farasonn Auto Electrical

 

Big congratulations to our winners:

  1. Brimis Engineering (Pty) Ltd
  2. Coalvest (Pty) Ltd
  3. AMJ

Our prize sponsors:

  • Kind 2 Hearing
  • DOBE brand Engineers
  • CLV Group
  • Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd
  • Sasol Meyer Street
  • Barloworld Toyota
  • Sorbet

 

We have a floating trophy and corporate companies are invited to join us next year 18 May 2021 to participate to see if you can be our next winner. Contact Chamber 0132432253

Why you should start playing golf!

With Covid-19 affecting the whole world, we are glad to invite you to come and play golf with us.

Golf has various benefits that you should consider for yourself.

* Social Distancing – No Problem
* Physical Exercise – Improves Respiratory Function
* Good for your Mind – Reduces Stress and Anxiety
* For Everyone – Golf can be played from the age of 3 to 103
* Easy to Learn – Impossible to Master
* Fun for kids – Low-risk injury sport
* Provides Opportunity

If you are interested, please contact the office 0132432253

 

Input requested on National Waste Management Strategy

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries requested input on the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS 2020). 

To implement the NWMS 2020, there need to be a costing of the Implementation Plan Actions.  Business is requested to indicate actions relevant to business, costs or adjustments of costs, noting the financial situation the country is facing.  An indication of the period for the amount you will require, the period anticipated impact and source documents that can be used for reference purposes.

Inputs on the NWMS Costing Framework and other requested information will be appreciated on or before 30 June 2020.  However, SACCI requested an extension for submission till mid-July.  Members interested in the NWMS 2020 Costing Framework should contact Colette Lubbe at secretary@middelburginfo.com.

 

Call for Input into National Planning Commission Papers on Skills and Education

The National Planning Commission (NPC) prepared a paper that examined progress in the education sector against the National Development Plan (NDP), and also assesses the NDP itself.

The paper is the outcome of discussions with selected National Planning Commissioners, and other relevant experts and stakeholders. It also presents some new data analysis, focussing on technical subjects in schools, as well as South Africa’s international standing to secondary school completion and post-school qualifications. The NPC has prepared a position paper on Post Education and Training Trends. The analysis is framed by the emergence, post-2009, of a Post-School Education and Training System.  It was enabled by the creation of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the function shift for both Adult Learning and Technical and Vocational Education and Training from the provinces to the DHET following the Further Education and Training Amendment Act, 2013 (Act No.1 of 2013).

Members with any input into the (two) papers are requested to contact Colette Lubbe at secretary@middelburginfo.com and to track their comments onto the documents and submit to Nozizwe Ndhlovu (nozizwen@sacci.org.za ) by no later than close of business day Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

Business Comments on Steve Tshwete Municipal Budget 2020/21

Several of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (MCCI) Executive members studied the municipal budget. They compared the budget line item by line item against the previous year’s budget, and we submitted our comments to the Municipal Manager. Briefly, our comments were: STLM was budgeting for an increase in profit (surplus) of 8.7%. Increase in service charges and rates of between 6% and 11.1%, which was significantly higher than the inflation rate of 5-6%.  Taking into account the ESKOM and NERSA electricity price hikes, a 28% markup on bulk purchases seems excessive and will put further strain on the manufacturing industry.

Employee costs have risen by 6.8% and R40M, and councillor costs have remained constant but are still regarded as very high at a tremendous R24M of the operational expenditure. It should also be noted that there were “Other” or unallocated expenses planned of R26M. CAPEX contributes a further R465M in expenses over and above operating expense and a 6% expanse on the current R7.6bn infrastructure. Although the CAPEX was allocated to various departments, the projects were not identified against which the CAPEX would be allocated. Many businesses could not operate during the Lockdown and sent letters requesting payment of Property Tax deferment for a period.  Tenants did not pay landlords, which in turn had to find funds to pay Property Taxes.  Several jobs in the Tourism Industry have already been lost.  We have requested during several meetings and discussions with STLM officials that they need to be aware that the business environment has changed drastically.

The residents of STLM are used to our municipality earning rewards.  A well run and strong municipality is the bedrock of a strong local economy.  Members interested in a copy of the MCCI letter to STLM and their reply are welcome to contact Anna-Marth Ott for a copy, at midcham@iafrica.com.