Category: 03 2017 Newsletter

Several delegates from the organized business community of Mpumalanga met with Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Eric Kholwane, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.  Representatives from South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI), Anna-Marth Ott, Afrikaanse Handelsinstuut (AHI), Wessel Venter, NAFCOC, Gay Mokoena and Mpumalanga Agriculture, Robert Davel are some of the organizations that are part of the Mpumalanga Business Forum.

Several important issues were discussed, but in the main, the importance of economic growth, business opportunities, and job creation was identified as the primary focus areas.  The MEC reiterated that the government is planning to marshall their funds and streamline the spent on local suppliers to capacitate small and medium businesses. The MEC confirmed that the government had visited Highveld Steel to make sure that the business is operational in 2017.

Business highlighted that business requires a safe environment to produce food and safeguard our labour force. Another aspect that has an influence on economic growth is a sound and safe road infrastructure, sufficient water supply and reliable communication services.  Other issues discussed was the closures of smelters and other related businesses in the province, particular reference to Highveld Steel.

The way forward that was agreed upon was that the next meeting would be at the Head of the Department to exchange information on the operational issues.  Members interested in more details or that has specific provincial issues is welcome to contact Anna-Marth Ott at ceo@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253.

In October 2016, before we were blessed with the rain that filled our dam to the current levels of 63%. Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) sent a delegation to the Steve Tshwete Municipality to clarify the status of our town’s water situation.

MCCI was informed that we could not rely on assistance from the Witbank Dam as the pipeline is not operational and that, that municipality would need all available water for its own citizens.  At that time STLM was waiting for the Department of Water to indicate their contingency plans.  It was also subsequently mentioned that the town’s population would double by 2030.

At an MCCI function on Thursday, 23 March 2017 we announced that a water lobby group had been formed to formulate the organisation’s policy and approach to this important issue.  An expert will address the lobby group to give us an overview of the current water situation in our area.

Members interested in participating should contact Mmabatho Phatakge at 013 243 2253 for more information.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry was selected to be one of the two towns in South Africa that were privileged to receive a delegation from the Indian Ocean Rim Association (https://www.iora.int/en).  Together we hosted a trade and digital literacy symposium aimed particularly at women in business, but all qualifying business people were invited.

It is important that all companies know how to use the digital platform to trade and to establish a digital footprint.  Dr. Lucy Abrahams gave a keynote address  on this valuable tool that business needs in the digital age.  To sum up, a business has to focus on the following:

• Know your audience
• Product/Benefits
• Budget
• Placement
• Payment
• Distribution
• Reputation
• Rol revenue & Value

We would like to thank the Australian Aid, Australian Government, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Wits Business School for an informative and educational event that exposed our business community to opportunities far outside our borders.

CEA Engineering Group hosted the March 2017. The company opened its new premises in the industrial area; Franco did a presentation of the start of the business to where it is now. He highlighted projects & systems that they provide clean drinking water to regions in Africa and South Africa. They also have systems to create drinkable water from salt water and provide clean acid mine water cleaning solutions.

The CEA Engineering Group was born out of a dream and vision to have a Turnkey Solution with an all-encompassing engineering and services Group. The primary focus of the CEA Engineering Group is water and associated projects.  CEA Engineering Group represents a number of products and services such as chemical engineering; pumpings and piping;  electrical & instrumental; logistics; earthworks; civil engineering; aviation and other services. For more information on CEA contact: 013 246 2832 or email info@ceaeng.co.za.

The event was attended by 140 people from different business sectors in Middelburg. For more info on the business, buzzes call 013 243 2253 or email: marketing@middelburginfo.com.

If you go onto the Middelburg Chamber of commerce & Industry’s (MCCI) website:  www.middelburginfo.com you will find a tender notification tab to update members about local bid opportunities.

Since the development of the tender notification tab, we identified that small businesses needed training on the basics of the tendering process, pricing, and costing.  These are important factors that ensure that a business’s tender bid is successful. The Pricing & Costing Course took place on the 15 & 16 March 2017.

The attendees of twenty-five business had the opportunity to learn about competitive pricing, concepts of costing and pricing in terms of a product or service and all other matters that can affect a successful bid.

The next course will be on labour relations, please contact Maphakiso Maesela at 013 243 2243 or email businesslink1@middelburginfo.com to book your spot.

The Employee Volunteerism Programme (EVP) of Barloworld Equipment, Middelburg, facilitated by Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) sponsored  50 pairs of school shoes and lunch boxes to to learners of Reatlegile Primary School in Mhluzi, Middleburg on 15 March 2017.

The company started the Employee Volunteerism Programme to encourage its employees to play an active and positive role in the community where they live and work.  The school shoes were collected by employees as a part of their Employee Volunteerism Programme.

“Reatlegile faces many challenges that affect learners’ performance and morale. This donation brings about much-needed intervention, considering that most parents rely on social grants and sometimes can’t afford such a basic need. We look forward to a lasting relationship.” says Sean Walsh, Senior General Manager: Middleburg for Barloworld Equipment Southern Africa

MCCI offers a linking service to members that have these outreach programs and to schools and organisations that approached us for support.  Programs  such as the EVP create a proactive culture in addressing challenges in our communities. We would like to thank Barloworld Equipment and their employees for being such shining an example of community involvement.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Chamber) would like to thank all members for their support of our very successful 2017 Banquet.

The support by members strengthened and highlighted the importance of the role the Chamber plays in the local economy.  The participation of our members made the dinner a memorable occasion.

We wish to thank the following sponsors who contributed to the event: Main Sponsors were Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd, Nashua Mpumalanga.  Other sponsors were Shockwave, Twizza, ABSA, Engen Garage Kanonkop, O H Frewin, Midmed, SABC, Riverside, SMS Hire and CEA Engineering, who also contributed generously to make the occasion a dazzling success.

We look forward to our members’ continuous and valued support.

It is time to prepare for the Tourism Indaba in Durban in May.  This event is one of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (MCCI) anchor tourism development activities.

In Middelburg, you have the choice to either visit a small but charming town, Hendrina, or follow the road on to the N11 to the Loskop Nature Reserve and its beautiful surroundings and along the way, you will find a couple of interesting side routes that will take you to Elandslaagte and Arnot.

Some of the finest nature trails are located in the region. Middelburg also hosts some impressive landmarks and notable features around the area such as the Middelburg Dam, Loskop Nature Reserve and many more fun attractions for the whole family.

We welcome you and invite you to participate in our many marketing activities to promote our interesting, adventurous and family orientated activities in the Middelburg & Loskop Area.

We also recommend that you visit the Middelburg Tourist Information Centre for detailed tourist info as well as bookings, local advice, directions, maps and very attractive curios.

Please email reservations@middelburginfo.com or info@middelburginfo.com for more information, or simply just call 013 243 2253.

Middelburg’s Water Security important to Chamber Members Business Cares – Barloworld Shoes Initiative Are You Unsuccessful In Tendering For Business? Fun, Adventure & Nature, Middelburg has it all! Australian Delegation explained Trade and Digital Literacy A Big Thank You

Labour Relations Training (5 & 6 April 2017)

POPPI Workshop (3 May 2017)

Meet Eskom’s Executive (3 May 2017)

Buzz Hosted by ACDC (18 May 2017)

Golf Day (19 May 2017)

Women’s Day Celebrations (11 August 2017)