Author: Midcham Newsletters

Energy SEZ for Middelburg

Energy SEZ for Middelburg

An inaugural meeting was held to discuss and formulate a way forward to implement an Energy Special Economic Zone for Middelburg on Wednesday 23 August 2023.

Mr Mnisi from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDET) led the discussions on why and how an SEZ will benefit our town.  Representatives from the ESKOM JET office, the Mpumalanga Growth Agency, Mr Mandla Mnguni and other officials from the Steve Tshwete Municipal (STLM), the Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative, the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and various other government organisations discuss the proposal, and were met with confidence.

Mnisi said a special eMalahleni Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ) has been declared, comprising Victor Khanye, Ekandustria, Emalahleni, Steve Tshwete, and Emakhazeni municipalities. Benefits of being part of a special economic zone:

  1. 15% corporate tax
  2. Exemption from customs duties and VAT Free for companies in the SEZ
  3. Tax incentives for employment
  4. Accelerated depreciation for buildings

At the meeting on 23 August, a Technical Committee for the STLM SEZ was appointed to fast track the establishment of the zone. Any member interested in more information can contact Anna-Marth Ott for more details: ceo@middelburginfo.com.

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Are you backing a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that disregards the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) requirements?

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants’ workshop on Thursday, 27 July 2023.  During the presentation by the Department of Social Development, it became known that there are a substantial number of registered NPOs in South Africa and approximately 18 000 of the registered NPOs in Mpumalanga, with less than 7 000 that followed the NPO regulations.  Over 58% of the 256,212 NPOs registered in South Africa since 2002 were non-compliant.

The Auditor General cautioned DSD for non-compliance with the NPO Act. Failure to comply with the requirements weakens the rule of law and international standards and hinders the DSD’s ability to monitor NPOs as stipulated in the amended NPO Act (GLAA). South Africa’s failure to comply with FATF standards has led to greylisting and undermines good governance, transparency, and accountability. The NPO register could pose a risk to national security, as it is possible that DSD  keeps NPOs engaged in terrorist financing on it without oversight, which could enable fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

The assets and income of a non-profit company may not be distributed to the incorporators, members, directors, or officers, except as a reasonable compensation for their services.

The DSD will be deregistering the NPO’s that is non-complaint.  Phase 1, 1998 – 2012 will be reviewed from 1 April 2023, the NPOs that never submitted documents, or their submission was incomplete, the next phase will be from 2013 – 2015. Reports may be submitted through nporeports1@dsd.gov.za. For enquiries NPOs may call 012 312 7555. MCCI and MEDO submitt their annual reports via courier at the DSD Pretoria office, as the courier delivery note confirms receipt of the submissions.

MCCI urges our members and businesses to do your due dilligence when donating to an NPO.

Outdoor Map of Middelburg

Outdoor Map of Middelburg

The Middelburg Tourism Information Centre (MTIC) created the Outdoor Map of Middelburg prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has updated the information regularly to ensure that it remains as accurate as possible.

The MTIC has been working diligently to update the Outdoor Town Map with the latest information from the Steve Tshwete’s Town Planning Department. First, we printed the map so that Middleburgers would have a map available when we do not have a mobile phone or data connection. This map is freely accessible in a well-lit and secure environment 24 hours a day and is visited several times a day.

MTIC would like to thank our sponsors: ACDC Express, Brimis Engineering, Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd, Mbita Electrical, MCD/Shockwave, Olifants River Lodge, Precision Aluminium, and Thos Begbie. Without your support, MTIC would not have been able to provide this service to the community.

MTIC encourages our community to look at our outdoor map. If you need a printed map, you can pick one up at the MTIC office for a small fee. For more information, you can contact Mmabatho Phathakge at info@middelburginfo.com.

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

For the first time, the Middelburg Tourism Information Centre is offering training for local site tour guides. Popular areas such as Mbombela, Pretoria, and Cape Town have tour guides who attract many tourists to certain areas.

If you are visiting a place of interest with interesting stories, there is often a site guide who will show you around the premises or area. If you offer this service in your business, your visitors, and tourists, they will stay longer or spend more money in your business. This is a well-known international practise that supports and grows the tourism industry. As a private person, you can also earn an income by offering guided tours.

We do not know when we will offer the training again. The training will be held at MCCI’s auditorium for ten consecutive days starting 10 August 2023. After the exam, the participant will be accredited with NQF Level 2. The full NQF Level 4 tour guide training will be offered next year at an additional cost of R500.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. There are interesting stories and people everywhere and tourism businesses can only benefit if they can also offer a tour guide. Please contact Mmabatho Phatakge on 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com.

CIBA Roadshow

CIBA Roadshow

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants NPC (CIBA) in our auditorium on 27 July 2023.

Mr Nicolaas van Wyk, Chief Executive Officer of CIBA and board member of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), organised the workshop for the local accountants. Without a functioning local chamber of commerce, many important business issues are ignored and with a strong voice for business, common solutions are achieved, said van Wyk. He also said that SMEs face numerous challenges, where an accountant can play an important role in helping businesses.

Through the CIBA and Chambers networks, businesses can work together to strengthen their networks, grow their business, and become part of a movement that works for the betterment of South Africa.

The MCCI application form can be found on our website https://middelburginfo.com/membership/. For more information about CIBA, please visit www.saiba.org.za.

Africa Durban Trade Indaba 2023

Africa Durban Trade Indaba 2023

From the 9th to the 11th of May 2023, Durban ICC was the host site for the African Trade Indaba. This spectacular event drew in people from all across the continent as well as international investors who were all looking for ways to showcase all the best parts of Africa.

This event provided a wonderful opportunity for all those in attendance to market themselves as well as their province or country. There were a lot of companies from all across Africa that were looking for ways to generate more interest in their country to help improve their business as well as their country’s economic growth from tourism revenue.

The Middelburg Info center managed to reach out to several of these companies and foster good relations with them in order to get brochures and pamphlets which we can use to showcase all the awe inspiring sights across our continent.

A fantastic Golf Day

A fantastic Golf Day

Taking time off their busy schedules, business owners, and staff supported the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual corporate golf day at the Middelburg Country Club on May 19th.

Following the opening ceremony, MCCI handed out gift bags to the golfers before they teed off.  To start our event, the Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality took the first tee-off.

18 tee-boxes and 3 greens were sponsored for the day by the local businesses in Middelburg and Witbank. Excitement was high, with a fun atmosphere created with all the sponsors.

The master of the ceremony for the prize giving was Mr. Ian Strydom from Qembu Middelburg, ensured that the evening ended on a high note.  Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of the MCCI opened the event and welcomed all the sponsors and players.

The Main Sponsor for the day was FAW Highveld Commercial and Second sponsor was Nashua Mpumalanga and Brimis Engineering.

MCCI would like to thank Qembu Middelburg, Phillips Global, Cross Labour, Global Universal Solutions, Nungu Prpoperties, Columbus Stainless, Thos Begbie & co, Nkangala FET College, Schoonbee Landgoed, Mbungiswa Logistics, Audi Middelburg, Alveston Manor Small Hotel, Middelburg Country Club, NST Verification, Veralogix, Lismar, Nedbank, PWC, Twizza Middelburg, ACD Middelburg, K Ndu Mining Solutions, Everest , STLM, Mthambane Transport, Midmed Hospital, Vodacom and Spec-cast Middelburg.

Diarise the next Golf Day: 26 April 2024.

DOL visiting local Businesses

DOL visiting local Businesses
Many local businesses have been visited by the Department of Labour (DOL) inspectors recently.A company reaches out to you to inform you of their poster sales for the Basic Conditions of Employment and Occupational Health and Safety Acts. You buy the set because you want to display the poster as prescribed. Then the Department of Labour arrives a few weeks later to examine your personnel documents, a week or so later an inspector from DOL comes and checks the safety conditions in your office.

Employers with less than 20 employees are exempt, according to the OHS Act. Sorry, but you have to follow all the regulations. DOL has doubts about the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Occupational Commissioner and will, therefore, audit all companies, big or small.

The targeting of small and medium enterprises by DOL might be a coincidence, you decide. DOL’s approach puts more pressure on small businesses. According to DOL, employers are required to keep shop-purchased dish soap in a well-ventilated closet and you are prohibited from providing your staff with chairs without armrests. Comments like these make you ask yourself, “Why am I running my business?

Are there any resources available to help small and medium-sized enterprises? Can DOL award grants to assist all small and medium-sized enterprises in complying with its rules and regulations?

MCCI has always urged its members to comply with any regulations that apply to our businesses. If starting and running a business was made easier, there would be a significant increase in SMME growth and employment.

MCCIs Employee of the Month

MCCIs Employee of the Month

The first MCCI Member Employee of the Month has been announced, and it’s an employee from Brimis.

Congratulations to Ms Nina Nhlapo MCCIs First Employee of the month.

Ms Nina Nhlapo constantly engages and provides help in her work. Her responsibility is to ensure workplace health and safety compliance.  She manages all labour-related affairs professionally. The most recent awards were presented to her, following the latest ISO 9001 audit in our office.

Nina recruits excellent staff and maintaining employee records at all company sites and branches, as well as ensuring a smooth on boarding process. Recruiting temporary and permanent staff, resolving conflicts professionally and positively, conducting workplace investigations, and managing technical procedures.

To nominate a staff member, members can reach out to Anna-Marth Ott or Christo Stemmet at 013 243 2253 or enquiries@middelburginfo.com.

MCCI Golf Day Nkangala TVET Draws Winner

MCCI Golf Day Nkangala TVET Draws Winner

Mr. N.B Maphanga of Nkangala TVET College gave the lucky draw prize Mr. E. Matlala.

The prize was a Fully Funded Apprentice Recognition of Prior Learning Training for semi-skilled artisans who had worked for 3 or more years at a company without obtaining their trade test.  The TVET program speeds up students to take the trade test in just 3 months, instead of 3 years for a typical apprenticeship.

The MCCI Golf Day is the perfect place to highlight a specific service, as the above example shows.  Our next Golf Day is booked for 26 April 2026.