Category: 02 2018 Newsletter

The 2018 budget was announced during very tight economic times with low growth, an adverse credit ratings environment and high debt to GDP and deficit rates, SACCI believes it was a balancing act under the circumstances.

The R0.52 cents per liter of fuel increased levy is likely to have an adverse inflationary effect which will put many businesses on the backfoot, given the fact that fuel is high input cost in many companies. The outcome will be compounded by the 1% increase in VAT. The 1% increase in VAT may appear marginal however the knock-on effect will impact revenue growth in many businesses.

SACCI is the largest business organization in SA and National Chamber of business and industry, which represents thousands of small and medium enterprises. We believe that the allocation of 2.1bn to the development of small business and start-ups is too small, given the fact that the small businesses and start-ups are the only hope for the creation of jobs. We believe an amount more than R10 billion would have been more appropriate in our context.

The pledge by the Minister to pay suppliers on time is a welcome, urgent and necessary step. We would have wanted to hear more from the Minister on the funding capital gaps affecting the SOEs. This is a critical weakness as the SOEs play a large role in the economy of SA.

We believe that any in taxes in a low growth environment would be a challenge. We support the minister’s decision not to increase taxes on corporate tax and personal income tax.

A democratic society requires active citizens that exercise their democratic right to vote. The Independent Electoral Commission is obliged by law to confirm addresses of all voters on the roll. In the absence thereof, people will not be permitted to vote and this could compromise the number of people that participate in the next election.

To assist with this the IEC urges all South Africa’s eligible voters to visit their voting stations to update the voters’ roll in preparation for the upcoming 2019 elections. These voters are urged to update their details before the end of May 2018.

Over the weekend of 10 and 11 March 2018 you will be able to:

• Register as new voters;
• Register in the correct voting district if you moved; and
• Register voter’s address details are not on the voters’ roll to provide this information or correct addresses if incorrect on the voters’ roll

South Africa citizens aged 16 and older and in possession of an official ID can register as voters. Voters visiting their voting station should take a copy of their bar-coded ID book, smart card ID or temporary ID certificate.

The Contact Centre (0800 11 8000) has been activated Monday to Friday during office hours to assist voters to find their correct voting station and to answer any queries. Registered voters can also SMS their ID number to 32810 to receive an SMS containing the address of their voting station (charged at R1).

An online facility (www.elections.org.za/MyIEC) is also available for registered voters with access to the internet to update and review their address online. These voters are urged to update their details before the end of May 2018.

Available bursaries:

• Management Development programme
• Leadership development programme
• Executive development programme

Who can apply? Requirements?

• Any sector business can apply
• Employees – must be employed by a company
• Chamber members get preference (Not a member, not a problem we will assist you with the application)

How can we apply?

• Provide us with you contact details

Cost involved?

• No cost to candidate or to company
• You will have to be committed and attend classes

Apply now!!

Submit company names or individual name and contact details to businesslink1@middelburginfo.com

The Business Linkage Centre (A department within the Middelburg Chamber of commerce & Industry) together with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) hosted an entrepreneurial development programme for youth owned companies in Steve Tshwete.

The programme aims to assist youth entrepreneurs to improve their business; the workshop covered marketing strategies, business planning, sales and financial management. The participants will now become eligible to apply for grants with NYDA.The training took place from 19 February 2018 until 23 February 2018.

The Middelburg Chamber will also be having another workshop with Eskom on the 06^th of March 2018 for its members. The workshop will concentrate on assisting small business owners on completing the vendor application forms, tender forms, Central Supplier Database and addressing the issues or problems faced by SMMEs and issues that Eskom faces regarding small business.

Members that are interested in taking part in the workshop can send an email to businesslink1@middelburginfo.com.The closing date is 2 of March 2018. Start-up companies that want to join the Chamber to benefit from our services qualify for the annual subsidized fee of R265.00.

The time has come to book your space in the 6^th Annual Middelburg & Loskop Activity Booklet. These booklets brought great success to Tourism Facilities and together we can grow the Tourism in Middelburg same as previous years.

The Middelburg & Loskop Activity Booklet will bring loads of Benefits to your company such as Social Media posts, exposure to other Information Centre’s in South Africa as well as African Countries, exhibiting at the Middelburg Mall & Tourism Trade Shows, etc.

Make sure to contact Lizzy on 013-243 2253 or info@middelburginfo.com for more information on this Marketing strategy.

It never to early to book your trip. Why not book for you Half year Holiday. Get to enjoy the beauty of our country .

 They many activities that you can do such as, self-drive Game Viewing, Sunrise and Sunset Game Drive , 4X4 trails and non-Guided Rhino Trail in Camp , Bushbraais and Bush Breakfast. You can also book a Day trip or any accommodation in any camp anywhere in the country.

 Book Now to avoid disappointment. Contact our office on 013 243 2253 or E-mail us on reservations@middelburginfo.com

 

The Business Network started at Isuzu Middelburg and Opel Middelburg, again more than 140 people. They launched the new Opel Crossland X range, but for all Chevrolet users, they still sell pre-owned and service existing Chevrolet vehicles. They have a dealership in Groblersdal with brands like Hyundai and Mahindra as well.

What a great evening the Business Buzz turned out with a local radio station Kragbron where they were live on air in the dealership.

The next Business Event will be held on the 19^th of April 2018 hosted by Roofxpert. For more information or to host a Buzz send an email to Marketing@middelburginfo.com.