Author: Midcham Newsletters

The Business Linkage Centre (BLC) a department of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry(MCCI) arranged an investor’s breakfast on 10 November 2015 with the partners that supported us during 2016. The breakfast included all strategic partners and investors who have been investing into local economic development through the Business Linkage Centre.

Our guest speaker Stephan Eicker from PricewaterCoopers (PwC) provided solutions for two of the three priority elements under the revised B-BBEE Codes; Ownership and Enterprise and Supplier Development solutions. His main advice was to follow sound business principals when implementing the B- B-BBEE Codes in your business. He warned that companies should ensure that their agreements are comprehensive and would protect the future of the firm.  As with any partnership do not blindly implement or agree to specifics without the necessary due diligence investigations.

BLC also reported on our first-class projects that received the full recognition on the B-BBEE scorecard. We are proud of our 100% project success rate and have developed a reliable first point of contact local supplier database.

We also issue Article 18A certificates so that sponsors could claim on their income tax.  As we also are an EME supplier with a level 1 B-BBEE recognition level, this will add to your preferential procurement score.

We would like to extend a vote of thanks to all our partners and investors – You are the heartbeat of our success. We will also be adding another service to companies – risk management solutions and management tools.

Contact us for more information

A graduation ceremony was held on 28 November 2016 at the Middelburg Chamber Auditorium.  Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with our strategic partners; Wits Business School (WBS) and Services Seta, have hosted the second successfully WBS completed, Management Development Program.

The graduation ceremony was a huge success and students were being awarded their NQF Level 7 certificates; this initiative was funded by the Services SETA, and we are very proud to announce a 100% pass rate for our 2016 class.

MCCI would like to congratulate the students and thanked the SSETA for the Grant and the members that allowed their employees to attend the course. Our guest speaker  Ebrahim Patel inspired the learners and encouraged them to implement the knowledge gained in their workplace with passion and focus.

Roelof van Rooyen said that programs such as the MDP ensure that employees grow and becomes upwardly mobile, making it easier for new entrants into the job market, by creating opportunities in the workplaces.

If you want to enroll for the next available bursaries, please contact us today.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be hosting tendering skills training for Business Linkage Centre members.

The aim of the training is to assist business owners:

• Identify information resources of available business and new markets accessed through tendering processes
• Analyze tender documents for viability in the new venture context, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between costs,   revenue and profits   in securing the tender
• To negotiate with suppliers and investigate new products/services to apply competitive tender costing.

The training will be taking place on the 23^rd of January 2017. There is limited space available and we will therefore be working on first come first serve basis, this training is exclusive to BLC members only.

For more information on how to be a member or to book a seat for the training, Contact Maphakiso on businesslink1@middelburginfo.com  or 013 243 2253

Virgin Active Middelburg hosted the monthly networking event on 24 November 2016. Marius and Stephan (Virgin Active Sales Consultants) did a short presentation of Virgin Active Middelburg ’s Services. Virgin Active Middelburg invites you to become active and join up with them. Virgin Active also wants to thank the following businesses for sponsoring the event to make it a success: Twizza Soft drinks; Sandwich Baron; Freeze air-conditioning; And Hobo’s Café.

The networking event had over a 70 people from various businesses attending. The Next business Buzz will be hosted in 2017. Contact us for more info:  Marketing@middelburginfo.com.

There seems to be a disconnect between the various Environmental Impact Studies, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) issuing of mining licenses, Mpumalanga Department of Public Works Roads and Transport and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

Several members of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) have attended meetings since 2009; our aim was to ensure our community and our members are not unfairly affected by the various state department’s decisions.  Experience has taught us that cooperation and success can only be achieved when all the parties participate in the discussions and in the end agree to a mutually beneficial outcome.

Two specific departments are not interested.  The various attendance registers over the years is a clear indication that DMR and SANRAL do not see our community’s road safety as relevant to their operations.  They are of the opinion that if there is an existing road that services a proposed development, they cannot stop people from using that road.  Factors such as volume, type of traffic, policing, safe use of the road by the public or even clear road markings are ignored.

The Middelburg and Witbank communities had a concession with SANRAL of 75% discount at the Middelburg Toll Gate.  However, since the agreement the Concessionaire’s financial requirements has eroded the reduction, forcing the public to use the R555.   It appears that SANRAL, the department that is responsible for the maintenance and safety of the R555, views this road as an inconvenience and not a priority.

Unfortunately, it is becoming life threatening to use the road, and we are forced to choose between risking our lives flanked by the coal trucks that turn in front of you regardless of incoming traffic or impoverishing your family with Middelburg Toll Plaza fees.  The problem has escalated to such an extent that it is only a matter of time before more people lose their lives.  Still no action from SANRAL.

In the current economic environment businesses are often forced to use the R555 to limit some of the cost of the Middelburg Toll Place.  Therefore MCCI would like to see mutually beneficial cooperation between all the parties to safeguard our community and our economic growth.