Category: July 2023

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Are you backing a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that disregards the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) requirements?

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants’ workshop on Thursday, 27 July 2023.  During the presentation by the Department of Social Development, it became known that there are a substantial number of registered NPOs in South Africa and approximately 18 000 of the registered NPOs in Mpumalanga, with less than 7 000 that followed the NPO regulations.  Over 58% of the 256,212 NPOs registered in South Africa since 2002 were non-compliant.

The Auditor General cautioned DSD for non-compliance with the NPO Act. Failure to comply with the requirements weakens the rule of law and international standards and hinders the DSD’s ability to monitor NPOs as stipulated in the amended NPO Act (GLAA). South Africa’s failure to comply with FATF standards has led to greylisting and undermines good governance, transparency, and accountability. The NPO register could pose a risk to national security, as it is possible that DSD  keeps NPOs engaged in terrorist financing on it without oversight, which could enable fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

The assets and income of a non-profit company may not be distributed to the incorporators, members, directors, or officers, except as a reasonable compensation for their services.

The DSD will be deregistering the NPO’s that is non-complaint.  Phase 1, 1998 – 2012 will be reviewed from 1 April 2023, the NPOs that never submitted documents, or their submission was incomplete, the next phase will be from 2013 – 2015. Reports may be submitted through nporeports1@dsd.gov.za. For enquiries NPOs may call 012 312 7555. MCCI and MEDO submitt their annual reports via courier at the DSD Pretoria office, as the courier delivery note confirms receipt of the submissions.

MCCI urges our members and businesses to do your due dilligence when donating to an NPO.

Outdoor Map of Middelburg

Outdoor Map of Middelburg

The Middelburg Tourism Information Centre (MTIC) created the Outdoor Map of Middelburg prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has updated the information regularly to ensure that it remains as accurate as possible.

The MTIC has been working diligently to update the Outdoor Town Map with the latest information from the Steve Tshwete’s Town Planning Department. First, we printed the map so that Middleburgers would have a map available when we do not have a mobile phone or data connection. This map is freely accessible in a well-lit and secure environment 24 hours a day and is visited several times a day.

MTIC would like to thank our sponsors: ACDC Express, Brimis Engineering, Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd, Mbita Electrical, MCD/Shockwave, Olifants River Lodge, Precision Aluminium, and Thos Begbie. Without your support, MTIC would not have been able to provide this service to the community.

MTIC encourages our community to look at our outdoor map. If you need a printed map, you can pick one up at the MTIC office for a small fee. For more information, you can contact Mmabatho Phathakge at info@middelburginfo.com.

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

For the first time, the Middelburg Tourism Information Centre is offering training for local site tour guides. Popular areas such as Mbombela, Pretoria, and Cape Town have tour guides who attract many tourists to certain areas.

If you are visiting a place of interest with interesting stories, there is often a site guide who will show you around the premises or area. If you offer this service in your business, your visitors, and tourists, they will stay longer or spend more money in your business. This is a well-known international practise that supports and grows the tourism industry. As a private person, you can also earn an income by offering guided tours.

We do not know when we will offer the training again. The training will be held at MCCI’s auditorium for ten consecutive days starting 10 August 2023. After the exam, the participant will be accredited with NQF Level 2. The full NQF Level 4 tour guide training will be offered next year at an additional cost of R500.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. There are interesting stories and people everywhere and tourism businesses can only benefit if they can also offer a tour guide. Please contact Mmabatho Phatakge on 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com.

CIBA Roadshow

CIBA Roadshow

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants NPC (CIBA) in our auditorium on 27 July 2023.

Mr Nicolaas van Wyk, Chief Executive Officer of CIBA and board member of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), organised the workshop for the local accountants. Without a functioning local chamber of commerce, many important business issues are ignored and with a strong voice for business, common solutions are achieved, said van Wyk. He also said that SMEs face numerous challenges, where an accountant can play an important role in helping businesses.

Through the CIBA and Chambers networks, businesses can work together to strengthen their networks, grow their business, and become part of a movement that works for the betterment of South Africa.

The MCCI application form can be found on our website https://middelburginfo.com/membership/. For more information about CIBA, please visit www.saiba.org.za.