Category: 2021 Newsletters Jan

To Spluma or not to Spluma

To Spluma or not to Spluma

Any person who wanted to sell their home has been exposed to the requirements set out by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.  A judgement was passed the High Court of Mpumalanga on 13 January 2021, Case Number: 2607/2019.

To quote from the Judgement:

“The application concerns the constitutionality, validity and enforceability of some sections of Municipal By-laws relating to the restriction of transfer and registration of immovable properties on the basis that:

1.1       the provisions infringe Section 25(1) of the Constitution in that they constitute an arbitrary deprivation of the right to alienate property;

1.2      the provisions fall outside the legislative competence of municipalities as contemplated in Section 156 of the Constitution; and

1.3      the provisions conflict with national legislation, namely Section 118 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 (the “MSA”) or with the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 16 of 2013 (“SPLUMA”). “

Members are advised to peruse the Judgement and contact the STLM or your Estate Agent for information on the current situation.  For a copy of the Judgement,

please go to our website www.middelburginfo.com:  Environmental and Other,

or contact Sandy at secretary@middelburginfo.com

Sales and Marketing – The new frontier

Sales and Marketing – The new frontier

The sales and marketing environment has been evolving and changing rapidly, and with the current social media marketing trends businesses adopted persons wanting a career in sales and marketing has to be upskilled to remail relevant in this field.

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) is looking for candidates looking to change careers determined, passionate, driven, and like a challenge. We in the process of establishing an intern academy.  Yes, you get hired, trained to get experience and exposure to the business world in an entrepreneurial environment. A commitment for 12 months and you get paid!

It is a combination of marketing and sales. What will we expect from you?

  • Assistance in marketing/sales department
  • Preparing proposals
  • Hosting events
  • Researching marketing trends
  • Establish a social media footprint
  • Administrative duties

Sales is a performance-based career. The more you sell, the more commission you earn.

Anyone with a competitive streak or the desire to be rewarded for their hard work is a key motivator and something that will drive a successful career for years.

You work with your customers to improve their businesses.

MCCI will give candidates the right exposure, training and administrative skills needed to succeed in this field. Interested candidates send CV to businesslink@middelburginfo.com.

117th AGM and Election of new 2021 Chamber Executive 

117th AGM and Election of new 2021 Chamber Executive 

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) will be hosting our 117th Annual General Meeting and urges our members to nominate Executive candidates to be elected for 2021/22.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 11 March 2021, at 18:00, in the Auditorium, at 292 Walter Sisulu Riverside, Middelburg. Members are requested to ensure that they confirm attendance by 9 March 2021. Alternatively, should you be unable to attend the AGM, please complete a proxy form and return it to the office by 1 March 2021.

Alternatively, please attend the meeting via Zoom, the link was e-mailed to members.

Your attendance is vital to ensure a relevant Executive Committee’s election to represent Middelburg’s business community, that can guide the organisation during these challenging times.

MCCI has also decided to postpone our annual banquet to when the relevant Lockdown Level permits.

The Notice, Nomination and Proxy Forms have already been e-mailed to members.  Please contact Sandy at 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com for more information.

Let your tourism voice be heard

​Let your Tourism voice be Heard

The COVID19 Lockdown has severely impacted the Tourism Industry since 2020, as a vital part of our town and country’s economy, we need to make sure our Tourism Voice is heard loud and clear.

As an industry, our voice and participation in the planning of lockdown measures are vital. The tourism facilities such as resorts, guest houses and other types of venues met the regulations to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 infection. In 2020 relief packages were granted to tourism members. The Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) will also officially be launched at a virtual event on 26 January 2021.

The fund aims to create an inclusive and growing tourism sector by supporting entrepreneurship and investment on the supply side of the tourism sector. The fund will offer a combination of debt finance and grant funding for large capital investment projects in the tourism sector. Advertisements and notices were widely published in print and social media platforms.

Another opportunity for Tourism members to make their voice heard is to submit written representation on draft norms and minimum health measures standards. The Draft Norms and Standards are published in terms of Section 7 (1) (a) of the Tourism Act, 2014 (Act No. 3 of 2014). The norms and standards aim to effect common minimum health measures that will provide quality and safety assurance to potential visitors and travellers.

The Act will also help the tourism industry be constancy across local tourism products and services by aligning them with global principles and guidelines. The representations may be emailed to msetwaba@tourism.gov.za or posted to The Director-General, Department of Tourism, Private bag X447 Pretoria 0001.

Following the requirements to run a safe and successful Tourism Establishment is embedded in the tourism industry. We should be allowed to operate per the regulations and safeguard the thousands of jobs linked to what we do.

MCCI facilitate projects on the Construction Charter – Limited Services

MCCI facilitate projects on the Construction Charter – Limited Services

What are the local communities with limited services?  The Construction Charter requires that communities with limited services benefit.

MCCI has designed a project where your company can participate in for your BBBEE scorecard.

By looking at the latest STATS SA census results filtered to the local municipality level, it is to determine if households in a community have less than 65% access to piped water or if less than 85% of the households have access to electricity. If the community is categorised as a limited services community, you as a company can get bonus points when assisting these communities.

Do you need assistance on BBBEE scorecard? Need Bonus points? We can help! By helping you reach your target on BBBEE scorecard, we can help communities with limited services.  MCCI has an exceptional track record for ten-years.

Contact Middelburg Chamber today 0132432253 or email businesslink@middelburginfo.com.

A few testimonials:

“Involvement with the BLC bears abundant fruit for the welfare of our business and our experience” – Phillips Machine South Africa.

“We are immensely humbled and grateful for the work ethics, commitment, transferred transformation of skills at the BLC. The company was able to maintain sustainability and increase human resources, which greatly impacted our view in community development and empowerment” – Vista Wa Seroka.

“We appreciate the partnership with the MCCI/BLC and with no doubt of the value is added to our business, and we are looking forward on this continuous value-adding relationship” – Barloworld Equipment.

“We are grateful to have an organisation like the MCCI/BLC which not only does so much to support and promote local business but are also a pleasure to deal with” – Hlakani Engineering Services.

“They are extremely professional and kind. It was very satisfying working with MCCI” – Heavy Feather Trading.

Columbus Stainless has been instrumental in founding the Business Linkage Centre from the onset and is very satisfied with the vision and drive investment in the concept to bring the organisation where it is today.  The services delivered by the Business Linkage Centre are beneficial and convenient for large corporate entities that need to embark on projects in the local business community.  It is a “one-stop-shop” concept allowing any level of involvement from the sponsor that ensures that all compliance requirements are met with maximum benefits to all participants.  The Business Linkage Centre makes an effort to know your business needs to ensure each project is customised for maximum goal achievement and return on investment.  With the commitment, excellent service, and dedicated structure available at the Business Linkage Centre, any business can effortlessly handle their projects. – Charmain Kritzinger Columbus Stainless