Author: Midcham Newsletters

Elected Local Tourism Leaders

Elected Local Tourism Leaders

The Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) of the Nkangala district held its first AGM in November 2022 at Nkangala district Municipality and members of the six Local Tourism Organisations (LTO) elected the new executive members.

The RTO comprises six active LTO members from the six municipalities in the Nkangala District and the home to the world-renowned Dr. Esther Mahlangu. The purpose of the RTO is to help market and boost tourism in the area.

They selected the following members to serve on the board for 3 years. Bongane Mabena- Chairperson, Trina Matheson –Deputy Chairperson, Mary Nkosi- Treasury, Margret Mahlangu –Secretary, Katrine Mnguni –Deputy secretary, and Mmabatho Phathakge – Additional member.

We encourage members of the public to register and take part in boosting the tourism economy and making their town known in the tourism sector.

For more information on how to register or get involved, you can contact Mmabatho at 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

 

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has met with business leaders, is hosting a briefing on the energy crisis with Business Unity South Africa, Business Leadership South Africa, and Black Business Council on Monday 16 January 2023.

Where is their mandate to meet on our behalf? Have they spoken to local businesses in different cities to find out about the situation on the ground? No, they do not have our mandate. Yes, they want to do business in our towns, sell us clothes, be our landlords, sell us their TV services, and the list goes on. But no, they do not negotiate with the local business community to find out what is also to our advantage.

The Eskom crisis feels like the municipal strike. No one in power takes action. What have the BUSAs, BLSA, and BBC done to find a workable solution to the current electricity crisis since 16 January? We need concerned local leaders, a united opposition front, and local business leaders to find solutions. We have the owner’s interest, not the big heads sitting in Gauteng. Their only interest is to make money in the Highveld of Mpumalanga.

A Big Thank You to MEDO

A Big Thank You to MEDO

Over the past six months, the Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation (MEDO) has been engaged in two intensive enterprise development projects.

MEDO partnered with the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) to run skills development programmes for local black businesses in various areas, from working at height to closing sales. MEDO used the MCCI’s extensive network to reach out to and empower the local community.

Another company sponsored businesses that are 100% run by young black female entrepreneurs. MEDO and MCCI wish the beneficiaries the best of luck with their new equipment and skills, and that they turn their businesses into successful enterprises.

Opportunities at MCCI

Opportunities at MCCI

The year’s municipal employee’s strikes, load shedding, and fuel costs have made it tough for business owners and managers. What has the local chamber done for its members?

It’s very difficult to keep everyone happy and provide great opportunities for the business community without the support of the larger business community. We have had a few people call out, “What are you doing for my business?” Become a member and attend our events and when the opportunity knocks, you will be ready.

It can also be very discouraging for staff when consultants who have received high-value grants or companies who are not members demand free support. What to do? If a thing is free, it has no value.

We create our own members-only opportunities. So join and you will have the chance to see and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Chamber. Do not stand on the sidelines, be part of the solution.

We rolled away another year

We rolled away another year

Middelburg Information Centre held its first Christmas Bowls Fun Day for members who wanted to have a fun day in the sun to end off 2022.

Friends and colleagues competed against each other with their lawn bowling skills. Laughter and groans could be heard around the field as the ball rolled the wrong way or your friend’s ball was knocked out of the way. Our Father Christmas announced the winners of the day and handout out gifts and chocolates. Harcourts Real Estate Agency is the 2022 Christmas Bowls Day Champions.

We enjoyed the braai, the sunshine, and the great camaraderie with everyone who attended. Thank you to the members for supporting our new event. We will host it again next year. Just look out for the invite in the press.

MEDO ends the year on a high note

MEDO ends the year on a high note
The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our partner, the Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation, are in the final stages of a local economic development programme.

A local corporate company has mandated MEDO to develop a programme that focus on local economic development. The enterprise development element of the BBBEE code has many parts and can be confusing for businesses, especially if you simply want to continue running your own business. Committed business persons want to see that the money spent has a local impact.

MEDO, with the support of MCCI, trained 141 employees of 63 black-owned businesses from 1 September 2022 to 13 December 2022. These companies trained their employees to increase their business’ offered services.

MEDO provided training on technical skills and various business trainings. We end the year on a literal high as twenty companies complete their certificate in working at height with the required health and safety certificate. These twenty companies will start work next year with the ability to offer a much needed service to the local business community.

Follow the MCCI’s Facebook page so that you do not miss out on the last leg of the training offered in January 2023. You can also register your business on the MCCI’s Local Procurement Database, so that you get the invitations in your inbox. Contact Njabulo at reservations@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253 for more information.

Another 150 trained managers for Middelburg

Another 150 trained managers for Middelburg

A young woman knocks on the door of MCCI to attend the WBS SSETA graduation ceremony on 2 December 2022. She is perfectly dressed and ready for a momentous occasion.

Organisations like MCCI, Wits Business School, and Services SETA are sometimes so focused on the administrative requirements for our projects we forget the human element, and the impact skilling programmes can have. I am referring to the WBS Management Development Programme (MDP) sponsored by SSETA Discretionary Grant. The MDP training was celebrated by the students who passed with a WBS Graduation at the Middelburg Country Club.

We often dismiss the impact of a university education for local people as an unattainable dream. Wearing a university robe and standing there with a certificate in hand is the achievement of 150 students who last Friday, 2 December 2022 graduated from the WBS MDP.

MDP courses have offered our members’ staff the opportunity to further their education and strive for promotions and a better-paying job. They offer a qualification that they could not have offered their employer a year ago.

Students who have graduated should look out for your graduation photo on the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

I would like to thank the SSETA Board, SSETA staff, WBS staff and lecturers, and MCCI staff for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that this opportunity was available in Middelburg and giving local people the chance to achieve an unattainable goal.

Diamond Circle Chamber visit

Diamond Circle Chamber visit
President Louw Allan, Gordon Webb, and Ariska Schoombee from the Diamond Circle Chamber visited the Middelburg Chamber at the end of November 2022.

The Diamond Circle Chamber hosts many popular tourism events in Cullinan and MCCI exchanged ideas with them on how we can host the same events in Middelburg. In turn, they looked at our reservation system to book accommodation at the South African National Parks.

The two chambers are near neighbours and we hope to further develop our relationship with them.

Implementation of the BBEEE Scorecard at the local level is crucial

Implementation of the BBEEE Scorecard at the local level is crucial

The Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation (MEDO) has developed an innovative tool for the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) scorecard’s supplier development, enterprise development, and socio-economic development elements. MEDO can provide targeted, localized programmes to the business community and has done so for more than ten years.

A measured company can spend considerable time and money to transform itself and reach the desired BEE level. A company must calculate the correct targets per the legislation, to achieve the desired result. These scorecard targets are determined by the company’s financial results.

For BEE champions, it is essential to have a solid regional network to ensure a broad reach in the community. Sound financial management is the backbone of a successful BEE scorecard and transformation strategy that meets all BEE audit requirements. It is important to note the successful MEDO projects over the last ten years. These projects were rolled out in the identified areas determined by the company’s BEE requirements.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the implementing agent for MEDO’s enterprise development programme. If you want to know more about how your company can use the successful MEDO BEE system, contact Anna-Marth Ott at info@me_do.co.za.

Tourism Development in STLM

Tourism Development in STLM
The local tourism organization in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality held its quarterly meeting on 18 October 2022. The industry discussed tourism repositioning, reconstruction, and funding opportunities available to tourism businesses.

Members made suggestions on how we can attract tourists and generate revenue. Adriaan Esterhuizen from BMDC gave a presentation on funding opportunities for tourism and how tourism members can apply for these funds. Qualified for these funds are SMEs that provide the following services:  Transport services – i.e. tour/shuttle services ❑ Travel agencies ❑ Tour operators’ ❑ Boutique Hotels ❑ Guesthouses ❑ Bed & Breakfasts ❑ Hospitality (including restaurants)

For more information on how to access these funds, please contact: adriaan@bmdc.co.za