Author: Midcham Newsletters

Less Optimal Trade Conditions Continue

Trade conditions remained stable in October 2019 but still subdued. The seasonally adjusted Trade Activity Index (TAI) that reflects present conditions improved in October from in September 2019. Trade conditions are also expected to remain even over the next six months but subdued. The seasonally adjusted  Trade Expectations Index was better than a year ago.

All the components of trade activity were at better levels than in September except for inventories that were one index point lower, and input cost that rose in September 2019. New orders and sales volumes were notably higher with supplier deliveries also improving, Trade activity components are expected to remain steady to positive over the next six months.

The unpredictability of sales and input prices are expected to continue over the next six months.  The volume of retail sales, the decline in real house prices and tight merchandise export and import volumes mirrors the current trade environment and an underperforming economy.

Respondents identified government incentives to be biased towards the public sector. They also cited increasing interregional trade in Southern Africa with some respondents expecting a pickup in seasonal trade during the holiday period. Nevertheless, slower global growth is expected to impact on local business, while respondents are calling for stronger implementation of the policy. Crime levels remain a constraining factor in the trade environment.

Members interested in the full Trade Survey should contact Letitia Saayman at 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com

See you at the Mall

We at it again, on the 05-11 November 2019 at the Middelburg Mall. The Middelburg Information centre together with the Mpumalanga Tourism Parks agency and Steve Tshwete Local Municipality will be hosting our 7th annual Mall exhibition. This exhibition will be the best of its kind as we will be showcasing new and exclusive art and craft by young upcoming artists. Joined by private owners of resorts, Guesthouses and Camping facilities.   So don’t miss out on this experience.Do visit us at the Pick and Pay court from 09:00 to 17:00 to find out about these magnificent Mpumalanga and its attractions.

For more information, you can contact Mmabatho 013 243 2253/email: info@middelburginfo.com

Remember Walala Wasala!!!

SETA GRANTS WHOM DOES IT BELONG TO

Companies pay 1% of the gross salaries to account to the different sectors within the SETA framework.  Which is then can be claimed by the business to train the companies’ employees?

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has been in dispute since 2012 rejecting the proposed regulations.  Legal action was ongoing since 2012 between the Labour Court and the Labour Appeal Court to settle and BUSA to resolve the dispute.

BUSA instituted review proceedings on two occasions in the Labour Court to set aside the regulations but the most recent application about the re-promulgation of the Regulation 4(4) was dismissed last year. BUSA subsequently launched an appeal against the judgment of the Labour Court.

The appeal was heard in the Johannesburg Labour Appeal Court on 20 August 2019. Judgment has been handed down and the appeal was successful. The Labour Appeal Court held that there was no clear explanation from the Minister as to what he, as the decision-maker who promulgated Regulation 4(4) considered had changed in the context of giving rise to the decision to promulgate the same regulation. The Labour Court’s judgment has been set aside and is replaced with the following:

  1. Regulation 4(4) as promulgated in Government Notice 23 of 2016, published in Government Gazette 39592 in terms of the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 is set aside.
  2. The first respondent (Minister of Higher Education and Training) is ordered to pay the costs of this application.

Should members have any queries please contact Letitia Saayman (secretary@middelburginfo.com)

Local Procurement Database Access

Link your business to 1800 contacts today!!

Local procurement access is valid for 12 months only R1200.00

Your company will benefit from market exposure and also access to new markets which will help your company grow.

Corporate companies procure from this database! Don’t delay buy access today!

Bonus: Get your company on our database for free!!!!

For more information contact 013 243 2253.

44 Free things to do in Middelburg

The December school holidays are around the corner, and one question all parents will is, “I am bored, what can I do?”

How do you find things to do in Middelburg, that will not break the bank, but will be fun, and even generate some income for you? The Middelburg Information Centre has compiled a list of the 44 free things you can do in the area.  We ran a Facebook likes campaign, and we will be forwarding the information to the people that liked the Information Centre’s page.

When you do something on the list, post it on Facebook, and tag us. We challenge the community to do all 44, and if you find a new activity, we will post it on our website.

Thank You 4SAI

Over the past few months, we as the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce have been spoiled by the friendly welcome from the 4SAI community, and we would like to take the opportunity to thank them for all they do!

I was amazed by the welcome we received and the eagerness to participate in the Middelburg Amazing Race when we first made our appointment with Major Oliphant and Captain Chego.  Soon after that, we received an invitation to judge their annual “Potjiekos” competition together with two ladies from the Steve Tshwete Municipality and once again we were treated like family.

On Friday the 25th of October we were invited by communications officer Graham Chimba, to witness their Parade and Long Service Award Ceremony.  What a beautiful sight it was to see men and women that stood in front of us wearing their uniform with pride, selfless people that have dedicated their lives for more than 20 years to protect and serve our country. They were leaving friends and family behind when the country ask them to go and help.

“In the military, you learn the essence of people. You see many examples of self-sacrifice and moral courage.  In the rest of life, you don’t get that many opportunities to be sure of your friends.”  We appreciate this new relationship between 4Sai and the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry even though duty stations will come and go the memories we make will last forever.

MCCI is Optimistic on the Future of business in Middelburg

“Unless somebody will come forward and say ‘I will buy this power station, will operate it for the next 20-40 years, and breathe life into it’, then you are looking at a different proposition,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa on 10 October 2019 in in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.

Many outside factors influence our economy, and for a while, our town’s future looked ambiguous, especially with the uncertainties created by Eskom’s announcement that the organisation was planning to close Hendrina and Komatie Power Stations.  If you add the various Coal Mining Industries challenges, and to the price of electricity, town’s economic growth looked uncertain.

During MCCI’s Mining Symposium Professor Falcon presented a paper on alternative technology to use at the Eskom Power Stations.  The presentation gave entrepreneurs a possible business solution to keep the Power Stations going.  Various discussions were also held subsequently, such as repurposing the decommissioned units to generate power from alternative sources.  The fact that there were extensive surveys done on the available coal resources, reconfirmed that to generate electricity from coal cannot be dismissed out of hand.

On 17 October 2019, Minister Gwede Mantashe published the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) addressed the future of coal.  An extract of 5.3.4 of the IRP and the decision on coal: Decision 6: South Africa should not sterilise the development of its coal resources for purposes of power generation, instead all new coal power projects must be based on high efficiency, low emission technologies and other cleaner coal technologies.

 

As business community we can do nothing, or change the challenge into an opportunity for our region to be the first to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution by using what we have and generate the sustainable and constant electricity supply that will attract the manufacturing businesses to our town that will ensure Middelburg has a continuous and growing economy. The IRP is available at the MCCI offices, contact Letitia Saayman for your copy.

Ford Motormid

Ford Motomid – September Business  Buzz

Ford Motoomid hosted the September’s Business Buzz. They showcased the new Ford Rapture, various Ford other vehicles. Stephan Cronje said they are committed to excellent customer service.

The next Business Event will be a business breakfast held on the 24 October 2019 and hosted by HTS Middelburg

For more information or to host a Business Buzz send an email to:- marketing@middelburginfo.com  or contact Annelie Landman at 078 80 19719

Planning Your Christmas Holiday….

Are you planning your vacation for the Christmas Holiday…

Well look no further!!

The Middelburg Information Centre is here to assist you to plan your vacation.

We provide fast, effective and efficient services at a minimal fee.

We will assist you with Local and International booking, Flights and Itinerary for your vacation.

We will provide you with 3 fully detailed quotations to choose from …… let us make you Christmas vacation memorable.

We have recently Launch our Tourism Website   www.middelburginfo.co.za  and all the best and graded accommodation facilities in Town are listed.

Please also do like our Facebook page Middelburg Tourist information Centre so that you can be well informed about our latest activities and discounts.

For more information you can contact the office on 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com