Category: 2021 Newsletter May

Is a baseline Electrical Municipal Tariffs possible?

Is a baseline Electrical Municipal Tariffs possible?

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) is a member of the Association of South African Chambers of Commerce (ASAC), and we met on 6 May 2021.

The Pietermaritzburg and Nelson Mandela Bay Chambers proposed that NERSA establish a national baseline for the industrial electricity users operating within municipalities.

The ASAC Electricity Sub-Committee has been kept very busy by NERSA in recent months.  Earlier in the year, a proposal on Draft Notified Maximum Demand Rules were submitted.

After that, several presentations and submissions were made at the Public Hearing to consider the Application of the Vaal Triangle Forum for revocation or amendment of the electricity

distribution license of Emfuleni Local Municipality.  The committee supported this critical matter of precedent.  We also submitted a document in February 2021 on the Municipal Dysfunction

– A National  Disaster.  On 25 March 2021, at the NERSA’s Strategic Planning Workshop – A Customer’s View, we gave input on critical issues

regarding electricity supply and how we believe NERSA should respond.

On 9 April 2021 –2021/2022 Municipal Tariff Disaster – we tabled a submission regarding the municipal tariff guideline increase and benchmarks and proposed

timelines for the municipal tariff approval process for the 2021/2022 financial year.  ASAC made an initial submission followed by a presentation at the Public Hearing,

and after that, submitted additional comments.  We requested a follow-up meeting with the NERSA Chair, which was supposed to have happed at the 6 May 2021 ASAC meeting.

To give you an idea of the different electricity tariffs at the municipal level see the table below:

Tariff Comparison 24/5 3 shift scenario 2020 7MVA: 5800 KWh; 37,288 Mwh/annum Admin R/Kwh NDM Surcharges
Jhb MV inc 11KV TOU 74 093 1.86 N Y
Ekhurhuleni Tariff D (11KV+)TOU 58 170 1.58 y N
STLM Three-phase 1000v TOU 49 252 1.47 y n
EThekwini 11KV TOU 57 359 1.29 Y N

The above table is only a summary of the information used; three additional electricity tariff tables’ information is available.  However, I used the above examples

to explain the difference in baseline charges at the municipal level throughout South Africa.

At the May ASAC meeting, the members proposed that we submit the EThekwini model as the NERSA baseline for municipal, industrial electricity tariffs.

MCCI supported the proposal.  Members interested in further information should contact me at ceo@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253.

A Golf Day Spectacular

A Golf Day Spectacular

On Friday, 7 May, the MCCI hosted our 2021 Golf Day. All had great fun, and the day was a big success. We had a full field with our Tee Box sponsorships and teams that played.

Sports stars were all about as Fanie De Villiers came out to meet and greet the local schools’ cricket teams and entertain the golfers at prize-giving,

Pollen Ndlanya showed up for a fun game of golf with us, and many a golfer came to enjoy the day.

 

MCCI started this event to bring businessmen and women together, to network and market themselves. And this year has shown that it is a definite benefit to join us on this day.

With like-minded individuals sponsoring and joining in on the game, this is a fantastic way to meet new business individuals.

All sponsors get unique social media marketing and exposure to the MCCI Affiliations and the Middelburg Community.

And for the Golfers who just came to enjoy the day, there were numerous prizes to be won! A lucky draw and even a small auction.

From 1st to 10th was recognized with a few other categories: Nearest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and the most accurate drive of the day.

A new tradition was started with Sandra Lawrenson from MCCI doing live Facebook interviews with the Companies that

attended and sponsored—giving more and more value to the Companies and Sponsors involved.

 

A big Thank You to all our sponsors and teams, from CEO Anna Marth Ott and the MCCI Team.

May next year be even better!

Middelburg Business Forum

Middelburg Business Forum

The President, Vice-President and CEO of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) attended the Steve Tshwete(STLM) Mayoral Round Table on 5 May 2021.

MCCI tabled the proposal to establish a Middelburg Business Forum, similar to the Middelburg Forum in the eighties.

The town successes, awards and growth developed out of work done by the people representing the town at the Middelburg Forum. The efforts and relationships built

during that time set the tone of the debates and plans; we are currently the beneficiaries of their work.  Our members requested a more effective way to discuss opportunities

and meet with the community structures instead of the current disruptive manner in which these opportunities are demanded.

 

Quote from STLM’s Final LED Strategy 2016/2021

“Communities have over the years mobilised resources and organised themselves into semi-formal groupings to make membership contributions or fees. This has, however,

not been explored at businesses levels. Partly to this problem is a lack of support from the government in the form of additional resources when community members have taken such initiatives.

Furthermore, there are restrictions imposed by the Financial Service Board when informal groups do financial transactions exceeding certain limits as will be prescribed by the banking sector.

Emerging businesses, especially in townships, has coordinated but fractured efforts to approach business and other stakeholders.

All the key stakeholders must be identified, and a schedule of responsibilities be drawn to align the government, sector departments, development agencies, and the private sector.

There is a fair amount of financial programs and incentive schemes available for cooperatives and emerging businesses; however, a collaborative platform for all

stakeholders must be established to address socio-economic issues ranging from job creation, education, housing, safety and security.”

At the Mayoral Round Table, STLM and MCCI agreed to meet to establish the Middelburg Business Forum;

we will keep our members updated with the status quo.

Highveld Business Guide Publication

Highveld Business Guide Publication

…the demand for printed media remains very strong and it is reinforced by all platforms and formats that publishers use to distribute magazine content.

Printed magazines have consistently been strong return-on-investment (ROI) performers in advertiser-sponsored marketing-mix models,

especially in conjunction with other media.  https://geomares-marketing.com/en/blog/5-reasons-why-print-advertising-works

Reasons to advertise in the Highveld Business Guide publication

  • Target Market
  • Reader Engagement
  • Control
  • Credibility
  • Visual Appeal
  • Message Impact
  • Audience Interest
  • Repeated Exposure
  • Value
  • Professional image use as a business card or company profile

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-reasons-advertise-print-16171.html

Packages include:

  • Linked with online publication and online benefits – we are combining all the benefits from traditional and digital marketing
  • Social media marketing on all platforms (value R2500 for 3 months)
  • Downloadable book on the website (ad on the website can be updated 4 times in 12 months)
  • Printed version (20 copies)
  • Media campaign online
  • Online publication – you can change advert every quarter and add new updated information

Book your advert page today, guaranteed repeated exposure, credibility and value.

Contact us on 013 243 2253 or marketing@middelburginfo.com 

Highveld Region Mine Map

Highveld Region Mine Map

Did you know? You can advertise on the Highveld region mine map?

Do you need a competitive advantage? Solution….you need to showcase your company on the exclusive map.

We only have 22 exclusive advertisements available.

 

Facts about the map:

  • Annual publication since 2010
  • A0 in size – large
  • List all mines, Eskom power stations and industry in 200km radius
  • Show GPS coordinates
  • Contact details
  • Data compiled by geologists

The benefits of the map:

Because of its size, you can see mining and industrial activity. You get a bird’s eye view of the area commercial activity.

Uses:

  • Use it to showcase your company
  • Use it to pin your operations or delivery points
  • Use it as a focal point in your office or boardroom
  • Use it as marketing material for your company
  • Use it for exposure

Contact us today for more information 013 243 2253 or marketing@middelburginfo.com

Exciting Times Are Here

Exciting Times Are Here

Tired of visiting Middelburg and not know where to go and what to do for fun, well worry no more.

The Middelburg Information Centre is developing a substantial visitor’s guide, which will benefit the people of Middelburg and tourists visiting us.

The visitor’s guide will contain insightful tourist information and in-depth history of the town. This project aims not only to return the tourism sector’s

performance to levels it reached before the outbreak of COVID-19 but to make sure that Middelburg becomes the No1 tourist destination in our area.

 

Tourism is a vital contributor to the South African economy. Its extensive value chain and labour absorption capacity are seen as a tool for economic development.

Tourism potential is vast and is yet to be fully unlocked. Our objective with this project is to create awareness and grow the market rate in Middelburg.

 

Should you want your establishment to be listed in the visitor’s guide, forward your information to

Mmabatho Phathakge on 013 243 2253 or email her at info@middelburginfo.com