Category: 07 2017 Newsletter

The 2017/18 Business Guide gives you the Middelburg Business Community at a glance.  The information is already available on www.middelburginfo.com/business-guide.

The Business Guide is MCCI’s annual business directory of members that advertised in the catalog. This publication is published in hard copy for face to face distribution and electronically on our website, see link above.  The business guide also contains maps of Middelburg, community information, an economic profile of Mpumalanga.  Our aim with this publication is to provide useful information for residents and businesses of Middelburg.

Our members have established a community connection as well as a business relationship.  Their investment in MCCI is used to finance the services we provide to businesses, residents and relocating families, government agencies and community organizations which call upon us for information and assistance. We urge you to patronize these businesses.

Please call us if you need additional information on Chamber member business or our services at 013 243 2253 or email: marketing@middelburginfo.com.

SARS is in the process of completing audits on some employers where employment tax incentives were claimed.

Did you know?

Employers had to have claimed Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) amount that they are entitled to by March 207, that is within the six-month cycle (March 2017 – August 2017).  The ETI will be zero after the six-month cycle and the employer will not receive ETI as a refund and cannot back-date the ETI claims if the six-month cycle has elapsed. This is only applicable when the employer did not claim the ETI amount they are entitled to. Please see 4.8a Release Notes for more details.

What does this mean?

If applicable, ETI changes for March 2017 to August 2017 must be made before submitting your EMP201 for August 2017 (by 7 September 2017). Therefore you cannot wait until your mid year reconciliation submission to adjust these ETI amounts.

To make sure your ETI is correct, check the following:

• Confirm that your 2017 submission was successful by logging into your efiling account and checking the EMP501 Submission status and dashboard. (Contact SARS call center for assistance, if necessary)
• Have all ETI changes, effective 1 March 2017, been implemented on your payroll?
• If ETI changes were made during your previous tax year end (on your February 2017 directory), have these changes been implemented on your live payroll?
• Did you complete your tax year end IRP5 submissions on your own? If so, are you sure that all ETI information is correct? (Information Supplied by SAGE VIP)

According to SACCI’s Trade Conditions Survey for June 2017 conditions stayed in negative territory with the Trade Activity Index (TAI) still below 50 at 48.  The seasonally adjusted TAI, however, improved by a further two index points between June and May 2017 to 49. Since April 2017, the seasonally adjusted TAI increased by six index points after the index reached a low of 43 in March 2017. The TAI was at about the same level In June 2017 as in June 2016.

The seasonally adjusted Trade Expectations Index (TEI) in June also remained in negative territory at 48 – with the TEI at some 60 during January and February 2017, it declined to 48 in June 2017. Last year in June trade expectations was positive at 54. The recently announced recessionary conditions and junk status by reputable rating agencies are still affecting subdued trade conditions.

Apart from the prevailing depressed economic conditions, respondents this month cited currency volatility, official red tape, instances of corruption, political uncertainty, lack of fixed investment and unpredictable economic policy as impediments to trade

Sales volumes recovered with the sales volumes index improving to 55 in June 2017. The new orders index, however, declined to 46 – confirming deteriorating trade expectations.  Expected sales volumes slowed with the index falling by two index points to 52 in June 2017. Expectations for new orders also decreased to 47 from 49 in May 2017.

The inventory index increased marginally to 43 from 42 in May 2017 due to continuing restrained trade conditions. The selling price index and the input price index remained virtually unchanged for sales prices (60) and inputs costs (63).  Although still high, the price indices concede lower inflationary expectations with the sales price expectations index 4 points lower at 64 in June 2017, but with expected input prices ticking up as the index increased to 71 after declining from 76 in April 2017 to 66 in May 2017.

The employment sub-index decreased to 47 in June 2017 – 2 index points lower than in May 2017, but the employment outlook for the next six months improved as the employment expectations index increased by five index points to 46 in June 2017.

Released by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the SACCI Offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg

 

Mandela Day is all about inspiring every person to do their bit to help change the world for the better. Everyone is encouraged to give just 67 minutes or more of his or her time in service to help empower communities everywhere.

Why 67 Minutes? His life has been an inspiration to the world,” the foundation said. By devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good.

In the triumphed spirit of Madiba, The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) together with various investors celebrated Madiba’s birthday by acting on the idea that each person has the power to change the world. The celebration was held at the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce with three sessions running from 09h00 to 14h00.

A total of 160 food parcels worth more than R72 000.00 and vouchers worth more than R 36 600.00 were donated to 16 under privileged beneficiaries in Middelburg and surrounding areas. Phillips Machine South Africa made an additional donation of a printer to Batlagae primary school to the value of R52 000.00. Afrikaans Handels Instituut (AHI) also made a generous donation of three food platters to the Middelburg care village in the spirit of Madiba. Frank’s meat also contributed by giving us a 5% discount on R14 000.00 meat vouchers.

In this day we recognized Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity and acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in that action that matter” Nelson Mandela

The Middelburg Chamber would like to thank all our investors (alphabetical order):

 

• AHI
• Barloworld Equipment
• GK Profiling
• Hlakani Engineering Services
• Köhler Auto
• Nkgwete IT Solutions
• Opsicol Mining Services
• Phillips Machine South Africa
• SG Coal
• Tirisano Consulting
• Zwane Inspections

 

Above mentioned investors have respectively donated generously towards Mandela Day. You made a gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good. Without these investors’ donations, this would not have been possible.

Below are the beneficiaries

 

Batlagae Primary School

• Child Welfare Witbank
• CMR Hendrina
• CMR Middelburg
• Evulinqondo School
• Grace of God
• Ikageng elderly center
• Kopanang Home based care
• Rebohlale Pre-School
• Saailand
• SAVF
• Shekinah Safe House
• Through Activity Pre-School
• Ubuhle bentuthuko dropping center
• Ukuthula Safe-House

There is no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy without expecting anything in return” said the great Nelson Mandela.

It does not only stop with Mandela day; we assist with Socio-Economic Development initiatives throughout the year, Contact us for more information on how you can assist.0132432253 or businesslink1@middelburginfo.com

 

 

Middelburg Hospice Association is an autonomous, independent instance that provides palliative care, hospices for the terminally ill and home-care support and services.

A great initiative was taken by numerous companies to ensure that the association gets well-deserved assistance in creating a professional look for the employees to make it even easier for the staff to continue laying a helping hand to the community.

TÜV SÜD South Africa is one of the companies that assisted the association by contributing branded T-shirts for all the employees. TÜV SÜD South Africa is a global technical service provider that has a range of services which covers consulting, testing, certification and training. More than 17,000 employees in over 50 countries at more than 800 locations increase safety and add economic value for the customers.

Stratum Benefits is another company that generously assisted with ensuring that the employees of the association get new and branded Aprons to help them with their fund-raising project of selling pancakes. Stratum Benefits is a leading medical shortfall specialist that consistently delivers transparent quality and remarkable value. Making every second count and every minute a memorable one! They cover the gap that exists between what your medical scheme pays and the fee charged for private healthcare.

Jormid Electrical contributing new reception chairs to complete the professional look of the Middelburg Hospice Association. Jormid Electrical is a company based in Middelburg Mpumalanga which specializes in the assembly, repair, and maintenance of different types of earthmoving equipment, from Draglines to Stackers and Reclaimers. We would like to thank Esaaks Store for the discount they gave and the free delivery of the chairs to Hospice.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry together with Middelburg Hospice Association would like to pass on the vote of thanks to everyone who invested in the project and making a difference in the lives of the people by adding hope and showing unity and support in the matters affecting the society.

July Business Buzz was hosted by the Twizza Softdrinks on 27 July 2017, at their factory.  The speakers at the event were CEO; Ken Clark & his son the Middelburg general manager, who shared the Twizza story with over 150 attendees

The attendees were treated to an informative tour of how the Twizza facility operates. Twizza CEO, Ken Clark lead some the tours himself. Also at the event, the Middelburg Cycle Club presented a gift of appreciation to Ken & Lisle Clark for their sponsorship to the club.

The next Business buzz will be hosted by Sanlam at their behind the Middelburg Mall will host the next event. For more info on the business, buzzes call 013 243 2253 or email: marketing@middelburginfo.com

 

The Middelburg Information Office is a Reservations office for the Kruger National Park (KNP) and what we offer is extraordinary.

We are willing to help with any booking in whichever rest camp you prefer. You don’t have to worry about a thing!

With activities such as Wilderness Trails, Game Drives, Guided Walks, 4×4 drives, bird watching, and so on.  There is so much to see at the Kruger National Park as you won’t be disappointed.

Are you going to the Kruger National Park and need visitor information, such as gate times or recommended routes?

Visit us at the Middelburg Information Centre and receive a map of the Kruger National Park.

 

The Tourism Exhibition is about informing people about what Middelburg and the surrounding areas have to offer. This Tourism Exhibition is our opportunity to share Middelburg’s attractions, activities, and accommodation in town and around town.

Come and see why Middelburg is so different from any of the other towns.

Everyone is invited to these special events.

Date: 28 – 31 August 2017

Time: 09:00 -17:00

Venue: Middelburg Mall

For more information contact: Lizzy on 013 243 2253 or Email: info@middelburginfo.com