2021 Newsletters February Archives

Q2B, Your Bookings Solution

Q2B, Your Bookings Solution.

Q2B Solution is an ALL-IN-ONE solution for venues in Africa, it is a locally developed and very affordable venue management solution for any type of Venue.

It will help you manage your Events, Weddings, Conferences, Functions, Activities, Show Tickets, Returnable Inventory items and Accommodation reservations with an awesome and easy to use online functionality to the public.

In the solution, we also have comprehensive management reporting, automated feedback, RSVP/Registration links for guests, online payment options,

integration with a few POS, Forecasting and paperless Gate control. Our Channel Manager is fully integrated with local and international OTAs.

We also incorporated Auto Anniversary services and Paperless Check-in applications.

It is really the ALL-IN-ONE solution for venues to manage their venues effectively and affordable!

For more information Contact: Hendriette Krause 082 895 5595

Email:hendriette@q2b.co.za

Web:http://www.q2bsolutions.co.za

There is no power for change more significant than a community discovering what it cares about!

There is no power for change more significant than a community discovering what it cares about!

“Part of the secret of success is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside”– Mark Twain-

This is truly the best description for the Wine & Dine with Middelburg, which was held from 1 February to 4 February 2021.

Good food and good company bring people together.

The Middelburg Information Centre’s cooking and hosting competition forged new friendships with our competition.

The four finalists, CJ Uys, Chantelle Swart, Dewetia Calitz and Natasha Joubert, competed for the first prize last week.

We have posted videos of their experience on our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_T49pObC53e6UjkNPHY1g

Or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MburgChamber/?view_public_for=279873828764045

Leave your feedback in the comment and let us know, what your favourite dish was.

Concerning Trade Conditions for January 2021

The second wave of Covid-19 infections and the return to a more stringent lockdown in December 2020 caused a setback in trade conditions during the holiday period in December 2020 and in January 2021.

The Trade Activity Index (TAI) declined to 39 in December and further to 34 in January 2021 from 47 in November 2020.

The deterioration of trade conditions was evident in almost all facets of trade except for supplier deliveries.

Sales and new orders declined the most while inventories and employment declined relatively less. 66% of the respondents experienced worse trade conditions in January 2021 than in January 2020.

Trade expectations held up better, but also reflected the pressure after the temporary improvements in September and October 2020. Overall trade expectations declined in November 2020,

continued to experience pressure in December, and then slipped further in January 2021.

The Trade Expectations Index (TEI) declined by 11 points in November to 43, kept to 43 in December and then declined to 38 in January 2021.

The six-month expectations on components such as sales and orders did not weaken as much as for recent trade conditions.

Expectations of lower supplies and declining inventories were more evident in the January 2021 survey.

The deteriorating trade conditions did not have a notable effect on prices.

Present as well as expected sales prices did not change materially in December 2020 and January 2021.

Sales prices remain under downward pressure while input prices trend upwards. This is also the expected pattern on prices six months hence.

Respondents also listed external matters, apart from the health aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic that impacted trade conditions.

Slow business momentum, uncertainties about the timing and duration of lockdowns, collapsing infrastructure, lack of maintenance and poor service delivery on

a local government level, are of major concern and are adversely affecting business. Some improved bookings by accommodation

venues during January and hope on Budget 2021, are some positive notions put forward.

Employment conditions in trade weakened slightly in December 2020 and January 2021. 38% of respondents were positive on employment

in January 2021 compared to 43% in November 2020. Respondents expect to increase jobs over the next six

months – 40% were positive on employment in January 2021 against 38% in November 2020.

Released by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry at their offices in Illovo, Johannesburg.

For more information and infographic, see the SACCI website – www.sacci.org.za

MCCI Speed Networking Gaining Traction

The MCCI has been hosting Free Monthly Speed Networking events via Zoom.

With the popularity rising, the MCCI has brought in a new element. A Keynote speaker!

Their First Keynote speaker being the prominent Owner of Nashua MP and the MCCI President,

Mr Junior van Niekerk. He gave the attendees great insight into how he got to where he is,

how Nashua has emerged through Covid hard lockdown stronger than ever and what his experience is like as the MCCI President.

The event was graced with the presence of business owners as far as the south coast.

Note the date: 18^th of March 2021, 12:00- 13:00

Join Us for their next Speed Networking Event and make the most out of every marketing opportunity!

Looking for new platforms to expand your business?

“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want”

– Zig Zigler -,and this is why the MCCI want to put a new focus on the helpful tools on our website to help you grow your business!

We would like to encourage every reader to have a look at the MCCI website https://www.middelburginfo.com/procurement

If you are a new business or a long-existing one and need a new platform to promote your company, you should register your company as soon as possible.

Remember that registering your company is free, but if you want access to all the listings,

there is a yearly fee for protecting all listed companies, and the correct people use the information.

Our Business Directory is only for MCCI members that have paid for the Local Procurement Database.

This should give you the peace of mind that serious people will get your information.

Are you looking for new employees? You are welcome to search on our website first before designing an

advert and being overflowed with CV’s that is not even relevant to the job you are advertising.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. “ – Milton Berle – Well, here is a door or a platform for you to be seen. If you are looking for a job, you need to be as visible as possible,

and the MCCI also has a tab where you can load your details and be found by companies looking for new employees.

Finally, if you are looking for the latest Tenders, all you need to do is click on our website and use the Tender tab.

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition.”

– Steve Jobs – We want to invite you to take hands with us and let’s grow together.

Is your annual turnover of more than R10 million?

Is your annual turnover of more than R10 million?

The B-BBEE commission says, “one of the risks towards achieving real black economic empowerment lies with the verification process,

which if not conducted properly, creates a fallacy of empowerment on paper and a haven for fronting practices that have derailed transformation for many years.”

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry has managed BBBEE projects for more than ten years.

We have a track record of managing and implementing successful BBBEE projects, ensuring that your hard-earned funds are spent responsibly.

Our services ensure a smooth and hassle-free audit with our BBBEE documents.

For you to ensure your money is spent in a manner that benefits the community and our partners meritoriously,

phone the BLC today at 013 243 2253 or contact Valerie at businesslink@middelburginfo.com

Save the Date: 7th of May 2021 is The MCCI Golf Day!

Save the Date! 7 May 2021 Golf Day!

With Covid-19 affecting the whole world, we are glad to invite you to come and play golf with us.

Golf has various benefits that you should consider for yourself.

* Social Distancing – No Problem

* Physical Exercise – Improves Respiratory Function

* Good for your Mind – Reduces Stress and Anxiety

* For Everyone – Golf can be played from the age of 3 to 103

* Easy to Learn – Impossible to Master

* Fun for kids – Low-risk injury sport

* Provides Opportunity

In 2020 we had a fantastic day; book now to avoid disappointment

Contact Sandy to secure your participation at 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com.

Bidding for the repurposing of Komatie soon

Bidding for the repurposing of Komatie soon

Since 2017 Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been lobbying on all available platforms that there is an economic future for our region in Power Generation.

MCCI is glad to report that Energy Transition Office Head Mandy Rambharos reported last week that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the repowering and repurposing

Komati Power Station could be released within the next two months as soon as the internal and government governance matters have been settled.

Rambhoras said that the comprehensive social impact reports would be completed for Komati, Hendrina, Grootvlei and Camden to and these reports will be published soon.

Many local Energy Intensive Users and other businesses in the area rely on the Komanti and Henderina Power Stations’ repurposing.

MCCI has been urging that Eskom and the government investigate and promote the stations’ repowering, using renewable energy and storage solutions, or possibly switching their fuel sources to either gas or hydrogen.

Rambhoras said that for the Komati RFP, Eskom would most probably seek repowering proposals involving solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage technologies.

“We are very keen to move quickly towards implementation at Komati this year but have not ruled out parallel processes at the other power stations,” Rambharos said.

“For now, we are focusing on getting Komati off the ground to have that first demonstration project up and running.”

Komati currently has only one operating unit, which is scheduled for closure within two years.

MCCI is eagerly awaiting the implementation of the repurposing of Komati.

Many of our businesses were adversely affected by the Optimum Mine fiasco and want to see our region revitalised with new opportunities and economic growth.