Category: 05 2018 Newsletter

The latest SACCI Business Confidence Index (BCI) showed a 1.1 index point increase on year on year from April 2017.

The BCI declined by 1.6 index points between March 2018 and April 2018, and it is now six months since November 2017 that the BCI kept to levels above 95. The BCI improved from an average of 95.5 in the first four months of 2017 to 98.0 for the corresponding period in 2018.

There has been an increase in the merchandise import volumes, real retail sales and the real value of building plans passed, were the most significant positive monthly contributions to the BCI. A reduction in merchandise export volumes, fewer new vehicle sales, and the weaker rand made the most noteworthy negative monthly contribution to the April 2018 business climate.

The largest positive annual contributions the business climate came from lower inflation, higher new vehicle sales, and the increased real value of building plans approved. Lower real merchandise exports and imports, and ongoing high actual financing costs had the most substantial adverse effects on the business climate compared to a year earlier.

South Africa’s leadership has a mammoth task to restore the South African economy to its full potential that was rudely interrupted over the last number of years. The restoration process of the economy, starting by addressing maladministration and corruption, has been incisive and the market and economic indicators are reflecting those sensitivities.

Investor confidence holds the key to restoring the potential of the South African economy. The present positive business mood is still in the process of repositioning with business confidence reflecting patience and anticipation. Increased certainty and increased fixed investment should provide the economy with the base for growth. However, political stability and law and order are essential ingredients and preconditions for economic advances.

For a full background to this month’s SACCI BCI see the Economic Commentary in the BCI report on www.sacci.org.za

Financial management is one of the most important responsibilities of owners and business managers. They must consider the potential consequences of their management decisions on profits, cash flow and on the financial condition of the company. Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a one-day training session for small business owners. 25 businesses attended the training.

The businesses were given an extensive overview on:

• Business works
• The importance of a business plan
• Understanding your financial management function
• Understanding your financial statements
• The importance of record-keeping
• Financial concepts simplified
• How to manage cash flow
• How to draw up a budget
• Basic training on how to compile financial performance reports

Facilitator Mr. Zanele Sithole from The African Olive Institute said that a business manager should be able to plan, organize, control and lead her department to get profitable results.

The training was aimed at assisting the SMME’s business owners to understand their business position financially. The training overview was about understanding how a business works and financial management functions.

Please contact the BLC for more information on our projects and how you can get involved.

businesslink@middelburginfo.com

0132432253

Save the date:

Women’s Day Event at Olifants River Lodge.

10 August 2018

Book your seat with the Secretary on 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com

 

Hlakani Engineering, assisted by Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry, gave forty-one pairs of boys and girls school shoes to Manyano Primary School in Avalon.

The project was a Steve Tshwete Municipal Mayoral initiative to assist a few learners in Avalon with new school shoes. We wanted to remove some of the financial burdens for many parents and child-headed families.

A project like this boosts the confidence of learners the presence of their peers, as they also have the necessary school attire. It was lovely to meet the children when we distributed the shoes.

Ezindaleni Power Solutions donated a recycled plastic play gym to Batlagae Primary School based in Doornkop, as a Socio-Economic Development project for the school.

An activity play area for learners assist with the overall health and learning abilities and help the kids to be creative, to explore, and to imagine. Brain, social and skill development, cognitive play, spatial development, gross motor skills development, problem-solving abilities, group interaction and teamwork all benefit from playing on a play gym.

The play gym was handed over on 4 May at school premises. It was a lovely morning spent with the school and children.

The Middelburg Tourist Information Centre makes it a point to exhibit at this premier Tourism Exhibition event. We promote our area to the larger tourism market.  Representatives from the Tourist Information Centre, De Voetpadkloof, Olifants River Lodge, and Big Buddies BBQ and Craft Brewery attended this event with us.

Africa’s Travel Indaba was hosted in Durban on the 8-10th May 2018, this event is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar, and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. More than 1 747 buyers, 1 120 exhibitors showcased a range and diversity of products from the continent, and no less than 22 African countries and 80 countries globally represented at this year’s travel trade show.

We also used this opportunity to update our information on the other provinces and international attractions. Contact us on 013-243 2253 or info@middelburginfo.com, come visit the office to see all the new brochures so that we can assist you in planning and booking your next holiday.

Photo: Lizmari van Aarde from the Info Centre, Koos and Lenie Kleinsmith from De Voetpadkloof, Mariet, Zahn and Zack from Big Buddies BBQ and Craft Brewery and Marlene Maree from Olifants River Lodge.

The Business Network started at ITR Africa. This is the first for ITR Africa Middelburg hosting a Business Buzz. They opened the branch in July 2017 with branches in almost every province.

They specialise in supplying parts on mining equipment for heavy-duty machinery, they have a workshop where they do repairs and service parts.

The next Business Event will be a breakfast on the 21^st of June 2018 host by Forever Resort Loskop. For more information or to host a Buzz send an email to marketing@middelburginfo.com

Photo: The winner of the lucky draw.

From Left: Andrew Smit (Bolt & Engineering), Brian van Buuren (ITR Africa), Christo de Ridder (Engen Kanonkop)