Midcham Newsletters, Author at Business Directory

Tourism Mentorship Workshop

Tourism Mentorship Workshop

The Middelburg Information Centre is looking at providing a tourism business Mentorship workshop for LTO members in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM). The workshop will provide opportunities and resources for interested tourism services providers to learn and benefit from successful tourism services providers (experienced owners).

The purpose of this Mentorship is to provide the resources necessary to strengthen the tourism industry by developing skills and increasing business knowledge of tourism operators;

Provide opportunities for tourism business operators to learn and benefit from more experienced tourism operators;

Enhance the strength of the tourism industry over the long term by providing resources (Financial) and opportunities for tourism businesses.

Mentors will share their expertise and knowledge and provide support and encouragement to help tourism business owners to remain focused on what is important for the success of their business. Through the Tourism Business Mentorship workshop, tourism operators who are less experienced can gain valuable skills in business, leadership and networking to help maximize their potential and become successful and profitable independent tourism operators.

We are looking at inviting the National Department of Tourism, MTPA, Grading council, National Empowerment Fund.

More information will be available at the Middelburg Information Centre.

What changes to STLM infrastructure/services are required for your business in the next five years?

What changes to STLM infrastructure/services are required for your business in the next five years?

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry has requested the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) to meet with businesses regarding input in the new Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2022 2027, which is being developed. This is in line with the Municipal Systems Act, Chapter 5, which requires municipalities to develop a new 5-year plan directly linked to the term of office of municipal councillors.

The Municipal Systems Act (2000) requires municipalities to prepare a 5-year Integrated Development Plan (IDP) that integrates planning and implementation and provides a framework for all development activities in the municipal area.

Contributions to the IDP have been sought at recent district committee meetings. Most attendees are local residents and are focused on their immediate needs, such as methods of speed calming on a busy residential street. Any business person who has attended scheduled Ward Committee meetings will have noted that the focus is not on a business-friendly agenda. What are general business needs in the CBD compared to the needs of the various other municipality areas where our businesses operate?

The STLM Local Economic Development Forum will hold the IDP meeting with business stakeholders on 5 April 2022 at 09:00 at the STLM Council Chamber.

We strongly encourage business owners to attend the above meeting to table any infrastructure or service delivery issues affecting your business. Is your business regularly affected by flooding due to inadequate stormwater drainage? Please attend and raise the issue. Or, if your business’ water supply is an issue, this is the best platform to get STLM to take note of business concerns. You know when there are municipal issues affecting your business. Still, if the issues are not included in the STLM’s communication structure, they seem to be off the table.

In light of recent events, the business community needs to pressure STLM officials and councillors to deliver on their promises.

Komati Power Station Repurposing & SEIM Feedback

Komati Power Station Repurposing & SEIM Feedback

Ms Mandy Rambharos of Just Energy Transition (JET) and her team met with members of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday 14 February 2022, to discuss the current situation regarding JET independent assessments of Komati’s repowering and repurposing potential.

Sumaya Nassiep from Eskom said they are looking at repowering initiatives such as solar (~100MWp) + 50MWp ash dam, battery storage (600MWh), gas (possible 500MW), wind (50MW) and suppliers and supply chain operations. Some of their reuse initiatives include microgrid assembly plants, AgriVoltaics (500kWp) and ash geopolymer production. Socio-economic initiatives focus on empowerment, enabling, retraining, upskilling, microgrid assembly, agriculture (aquaponics) and raised beds. Enterprise development, such as incubators for small and medium enterprises and digital hubs will also be implemented.

The commissioning of the agricultural photovoltaic systems and microgrid assembly plants is targeted within the next six months. In addition, technical studies have confirmed the capacities of the photovoltaic and battery plants that Eskom will install in the next 12-28 months. Training and skills needed in this area were discussed and various training opportunities such as the South African Institute of Welding were highlighted. Eugene Rossouw said there should be a closer relationship between Eskom representatives and the Steve Tshwete Municipality (STLM). STLM has prepared a business plan for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence skills centre.

The skills needs of the community should be taken into consideration when training is provided in the Komati region. Another important point for members was that the manufacture and supply of some parts in the assembly of the microgrid equipment, such as the stands and other components that can be manufactured locally, should be used as part of the STLM plan for local economic development. It is essential that the parties involved in Eskom JET take into account the many studies that have already been done in this area to achieve the best outcome for the success of the project. Members interested in receiving a copy of the presentation can contact Anna-Marth Ott at ceo@middelburginfo.com.

We want our town back

We want our town back
It is the responsibility of every municipality to create an enabling environment for business. How many jobs and businesses will be displaced if municipal services are not accessible to the public and businesses? Is a job in the municipality more important than a job in the industrial area?

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his SONA speech that the role of businesses is essential to the country. Still, if we cannot register the vehicles sold, several businesses are affected. If we cannot complete the sale of a house, many businesses are affected. If there is a water shortage … and the story goes on. The business community depends on our municipal services to run optimally and without prejudice and malice. The management of Steve Tshwete Municipality must act quickly and solve the problems in their various departments.

In November 2021, MCCI offered its support in mediation to find a positive outcome to the strike that did not harm the community at large. As a collective, we have a lot of experience dealing with strikes and know how best to succeed. An example of this is the recent NUMSA strike in October 2021; thousands of workers were unhappy, many companies were affected, but there was a solution in the end. We expect nothing less from our local government. If we do not find a final solution soon, the unhappy working environment will not be solved. Those that have a role to play, the politicians, the management, SALGA and CoCGTA, must end the strike immediately.

There is a worrying wave of crime directed against our businesses and business premises. Vandalism and sabotage seem acceptable behaviour; where is SAPS, where is the discipline required to stop this? What do those involved think will happen if we continue down this disastrous path?

We want our town back. We want the town that won Masekane; we want the cleanest town in Mpumalanga, the one with the lowest crime rate and steady economic growth. We want the town where we talked to each other, regardless of political affiliation, history, or other identities that seemed essential to certain people. We want our town back.

Welding is the second scarcest skill in SA

Welding is the second scarcest skill in SA

The South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) of the Mpumalanga provincial government met with companies from the Highveld region. The event aimed to discuss ways to address the shortage of welding skills.

The government has identified thirteen scarce trade skills for its approved infrastructure programmes, and welding is currently ranked as the second scarcest skill in South Africa. According to the American Welding Society (AWS), there will be a global shortage of 450 000 welders by 2023. Strategic programmes such as the War on Leaks and the new oceans economy programme, Phakisa, have also highlighted the need for skilled welders.

South Africa needs suitably qualified welders with the required skills to enable local businesses to benefit from this demand. DEDT and SAIW are planning to open an exciting new welding school, supported by a world-class welder programme, to be based at the Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative (MSI) in Middelburg.

The aim is to provide three years of training for highly skilled workers trained to industry standards. The artisans will be able to produce higher quality welds with lower rework costs and better productivity. By the time they qualify as welders, they will have internalised the company’s work processes and standards. Lower risk and cost in recruitment and better retention.

Many companies need welders, and large companies offer apprenticeships, but we need to find a way to train our local people in marketable skills that will drive our economy. MCCI members are committed to reaching out directly to SAIW to get the ball rolling. Businesses interested in participating in the SAIW welding school at MSI can contact Etienne Nel (etienne.nell@saiw.co.za) or Silindile N Ntshangase (SNtshangase@mpg.gov.za) for more information