Category: 10 2018 Newsletter

SACCI received correspondence from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) remind members that the current administrative penalties imposed by SARS will change from 7 December 2018.

As from 7 December 2018, punitive administrative penalties will be imposed for late Corporate Income Tax (CIT) returns. These penalties will be raised regarding section 210 of the Tax Administration Act, and the required gazette will be issued in terms of section 210 (2) of that Act. This will result in SARS imposing administrative penalties on over 300 000 companies who failed to submit their annual CIT returns.

SARS will issue letters to affected companies reflecting heir returns statuses, to ensure they are adequately informed.  The letters will only be a proactive, friendly reminder, which will be followed up with a final demand letter 7 December 2018, and after that, penalties will be levied.

SARS said that they were comfortable that their systems had been enhanced to facilitate the process seamlessly. SARS frontline service staff has been trained to deal with these and related queries and has been prepared to continue serving taxpayers.

MCCI urges members to verify with their accountants, auditors that their Income Tax Returns were submitted in time.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has indicated that with the implementation of the first phase of the Reporting of Conveyances and Goods (RCG) project in April 2018, the electronic submission of the various supply chain reports prescribed in the rules to section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 is mandatory for cargo reporters.

Persons impacted include shipping lines, airlines, rail carriers, road hauliers, freight forwarders, port and airport authorities, terminal operators, wharf operators, licensees of container depots, transit shed operators, licensees of de-grouping depots and registered agents.

Any cargo reporter who fails to submit a report for which he or she is responsible may be liable to a fine of R5000 in respect of such reporting non-compliance.

Eskom has asked the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) for a 15% tariff increase per year for a 3-year period.  Hashaba Tlhotlhalemaje, Eskom General Manager for Regulation reasoned that as they did not receive the increases they requested in recent years it is owed the proposed increase.

MCCI again urges Eskom to assess their operations and remove overhead items that are driving up the cost of electricity. The change in Eskom’s output of 222 Terawatt hours with a headcount of 32,224 in 2006 to 220 Terawatt hours with a recent headcount of 47,658 is quoted regularly.

Another cost factor that is seemingly ignored, is the quality of coal Eskom purchases and how it impacts production.  Reports of poor quality coal and how it affects electricity output surface sporadically. The idea that Eskom pays for rocks instead of coal does not make any business sense.  What does the coal contracts stipulate and why does Eskom accept an inferior product?  Eskom management should go back to the cost-plus model that has worked for decades; there is enough coal, it is the suppliers that are not managed.

Business wants to see a concerted effort from Eskom to weed out poor operational practices, bring back checks and balances to ensure quality control of the coal purchased and go back to the cost-plus model that worked for many years.  As a country, we cannot afford an Electricity Power Generator that does not focus on customers’ requirements, but instead on their suppliers’ requirements.

Join the Middelburg Chamber today!! The Business Linkage Centre is focused on small business development.

Join now for only R267.50, pay now before the end of October, and you will get entered automatically for a lucky draw. Moreover, also you will get 2019 membership at no cost!!

Compulsory to attend the New Members function on  22 Nov and find out if you are the lucky winner! Bookings essential R80 per person.

Member benefits:

• Listed on LPD
• monthly networking functions
• member to member referrals
• discounts on marketing and
• advertising
• business skills training

Contact us now for more info: 013 243 2253 or email us Businesslink1@middelburginfo.com

Local Procurement Database Access will get you connected to a whole new world. 1623 companies listed on the database with specific search criteria.

Buy level 1 LPD Access for R1500.00 before 31 October and get the mine map free. (Mine Map worth R500.00)

Don’t miss out call us now on: 013 243 2253

The main aim of advertising, many believe is to sell, but this is only partially true. Brand building is vital in establishing a name or product in the market. Advertising helps to keep the consumers informed about whatever new products or services are available in the market or at their disposal. It helps to spread awareness about products or services.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry communicates extensively with its members personally, electronically and via the printed media and offers advertising opportunities not accessible to non-members:

*Mailshots – sent to our database of businesses in the area

*Mine Map – Published annually with valuable information on the mining industry and mining related business. This is the Ideal platform for brand building.

*Business Guide – An all-inclusive glossy guide with information about our economy and businesses in Middelburg

*Golf Day – Very popular and well supported by our members

*Business Buzz – Excellent opportunities hosted monthly by members for business-to-business networking

*Woman’s Day – Event corresponds with woman’s month in August

To enjoy the advantages the MCCI offers is not limited to advertising and networking but there is so much more…

Contact Annelie Landman for information 013 2432253 / marketing@middelburginfo.com

 

Local Tourism Organisation is an Organisation that holds the interest of the Tourism Stakeholders; it’s main aims is to identify tourism resources; seeking funds for LTO’s, develop new tourism opportunities and plans for the Local region; as well as connect your website with our “Where to Stay” tab on www.middelburginfo.co.za

The purpose of the LTO is:

• To develop and maintain public Tourist attractions within the area, such as historical and generic attractions.
• To promote, coordinate and work towards the development and marketing of tourism in general, and in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in particular.
• To create a climate conducive to tourism related investment and to actively encourage such investment in this region;
• To co-operate with the relevant provincial tourist authority and any other local, regional, provincial, national or international institution, department or organisation to this end; and

Therefore we encourage all tourism stakeholders to affiliate their facility and be active in our Local Tourism Organisation so that we can promote and sustain Tourism in our area.

For more information regarding the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s Local Tourism Organisation, you can contact Lizzy on 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

The Middelburg Tourist Information Centre is a Reservations office for SANParks (South-Africa National Parks) and what we offer is extraordinary.

We are willing to help with any booking in whichever 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; 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 Tourist Information Centre and receive a map of the Kruger National Park as well as some extra information you might require.

You are welcome to contact us on 013 243 2253 or email Lizzy: info@middelburginfo.com

 

 

 

The Middelburg Tourist Information Centre’s Annual Middelburg Mall Exhibition was showcased from the 9^th – 15^th of October 2018 at the Pick n Pay court. With local crafters as well as tourism facilities it is safe to say that this Exhibition was a huge success.

Would you like to exhibit with us or showcase some of your products? Contact Lizzy on 013 243 2253 or email her on info@middelburginfo.com to find out more information on Future Exhibitions.