Category: 04 2018 Newsletter

The Department of Energy and Department of Mineral Resources and Eskom will have let South Africa down if there is any load shedding in the coming months. It comes down to how important our economy is to those departments. Irreparable damage was done to our economy previously, we should not accept the proposed load shedding as the only answer to Eskom’s coal problems.

“Coal supply shortages were discussed on the news and at the Eskom/NERSA meetings. According to reports the three power stations in our municipal area, Arnot, Hendrina, and Komatie, as well as the other power stations have low coal stocks. Information indicates that the supply shortage is due to the financial difficulty at the private coal supplier, Tegeta Exploration, and Resources (TER). Eskom reportedly only has sufficient coal supply until 29/04/2018.”

The above statement is misleading and alarming. Why do I say the statement is misleading, is that even though TER is experiencing financial difficulties, there are more than sufficient coal deposits at those mines and there are at least one hundred and seventy other coal mines within a two hundred kilometer radius of the power stations in Mpumalanga. Hence there are more than enough coal being mined in the region to provide fuel to the power stations. Surely Eskom’s coal supply contracts have an escape clause if a supplier cannot meet the demand.

MCCI urges Eskom and the related government departments not to put the burden on the end users, but to look at internal structuring to prevent this disaster.

The new Cargo Processing System (CPS) has been implemented on 20 April 2018 under the RCG project as per the new legislative framework that reports cargo reporting. Draft rules were set out in section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 which are based on the draft rules of Chapter 3 of the Customs Control Act, 2014.

SARS communications have indicated that the Reporting of Conveyances and Goods or RCG rollout presents minimal changes for land border clients “as the submission of electronic road manifests has already been implemented under the Manifest Processing (MPR) system. The CPS is expected to significantly improve cargo management and supply chain security. The benefits of the automation of the system ensure that SARS operates according to internationally standardized procedures. These standards are fundamental to the facilitation of legitimate trade, and secure supply chains pave the way for the implementation of the Preferred Trader/Authorised Economic Operator.

For more information, please visit the SARS website at https://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Customs-Excise/AboutCustoms/Pages/New-Customs-Legislation-update.aspx

In the current uncertainty and economic state, businesses become more and more affected by the different factors and adverse decisions made by the government which ultimately results in companies suffering and eventually closing down.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry held an economic business talk on 11 April 2018 at the Ridge Casino in Emalahleni. The event aimed to enlighten and educate business owners about how the financial trends affect businesses, although some of the factors are external and not much can be done about it. Isaac Matshego (an economist from Nedbank) shared valuable information about some of the critical elements that business owners should look out for, both negative and positive.

Highveld Steel used to be one of the businesses that contributed massively to the economy of Mpumalanga. We were fortunate that the Highveld Steel Business Park give an update on the recent developments on the site and how they plan to create jobs and business opportunities through the existing infrastructure.

We also had the representatives from the “Save Emalahleni” initiative who shared progress on the campaign which aims to address the issues that affect the Emalahleni local municipality.

The Middelburg Chamber would like to thank the sponsors, the Ridge Casino and their staff for the fantastic hospitality, our main speaker from Nedbank Isaac Matshego and all the people that contributed towards ensuring the success of the event.

To get more information on our initiatives and to affiliate with the Chamber, You can contact us on businesslink1@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253

The Middelburg Chamber is hosting their Annual Premier Business Golf Day on the 18^th of May 2018 at the Middelburg Country Club.

This event is going on more then ten years and is a success every time, the business participates by sponsoring and playing to meet other businesses.

This shows how they are part of the Business Community in Middelburg. There is still 4 ball teams spots available, come and enjoy this annual Premier Business Golf Day. For more information please contact Anthony Liebowitz at marketing@middelburginfo.com or 078 801 9719

On Saturday, the 21^st of April 2018, Lizmari attended the Anglo Boer War Study day that was held at the White Church in Middelburg.

Several subjects were discussed, one of the speakers were Theo Lighthelm spoke about the History of Middelburg and the significant role certain persons played in developing Middelburg.  Persons such was Pastor Alewyn Burger and his wife Janie Burger, Jack Hindon and Hendri Slegtkamp were discussed. Experts such as Albert Jansen, Annemarie Fischer, Tian Schutte, Kobus Terblanche and Corine de Jonge, Yolandi Koelemans-van Rooyen attended this event.

A few site visits were done at the Slegtkamp House, Old Cemetery, and Pan Stasie. All these places played a critical role in Middelburg in the early 1800’s. We are updating the information available and will post the updated data on www.middelburginf.co.za.

For more information on Middelburg and the History, you are welcome to contact the Info Centre on 013-243 2253 and talk to Lizzy or info@middelburginfo.com.

Middelburg is a modern town situated in the Cultural Heartland of the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa.

They many activities that you can do for nature lovers you can go mountain and quad biking and hiking at buffalo gorge where you get to do the different hike such as the  Aventura Trail 18Km ,Wild Camp Trail 10Km, Wetland Trail 6.5Km, BobbeeJaan Loop Trail 2.5Km and other places like the Kingdom Trail , Rooikrans Trail , Olifant River Lodge etc..

And for your year-end function you can go to Olifant River where you get to do the team buiding where you get different programmers, golf, raft building, paintball , Archery , Crazy Olympics (Boere sport), and many more and for those who prefer braai you can go to Pienaardam Leisure Resort .

For those who want to know the Middelburg history you can go to the white church where the British soldiers use it during the second Anglo Boer War, you can visit the Botshabelo Historical Village (Place of refuge) where you get to see the open-air museum .The Ndebele tribe they well-known tribe for its colorful huts, cultural garb and brilliant arts and crafts.

The curio shop at the Middelburg Tourist Information Center has just received a new delivery of crafts and curios for tourists.

Want to attend a wedding and want new jewelry, come and have a look at our collection of African jewelry by Zulu and Ndebele crafters? Alternatively, are you looking for a beaded necklace or beaded bracelets, wooden statues for your home decorations, come and see what we have. We buy and support local businesses for more information you can call us on 013 243 2253, email us on reservations@middelburginfo.com or come to our office at 292 Walter Sisulu next to Dros restaurant