Category: 05 2017 Newsletter

Middelburg was not immune to the global cyber attack on digital data, and it highlighted how vigilant business has to be to ensure the data they use to do business with is safe, obtained legally and kept secure.  The Middelburg Chamber workshop sponsored by Nashua unpacked some of the requirements members need to follow to comply with the Protection of Private Information Act (POPIA) on 3 May 2017.

There are approximately seventeen months before companies will be held accountable to POPIA.  Members should view the POPIA as the catalyst to implement an Information Governance process to safeguard their information.  Companies should have a policy and procedure in place for example on how and where the organization and staff store the backups.  If a public servant takes the backup home, is it allowable according to POPIA or not?  Our interpretation is not unless a particular policy allows for off-site storage and what rules will apply.

POPIA provide for the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies, and the minimum requirements for processing personal information. A person’s information must be obtained fairly and lawfully, used for only the original specified purpose, adequate and relevant and up to date information.  The information must be kept secure and destroyed after it served its purpose.

MCCI urges our members, especially in light of the recent attacks to start implementing the Information Governance processes.  Members interested in more information is welcome to contact the office at 013 243 2253 or Nashua Mpumalanga for a quote on their Managed Document Services or visit https://corconcepts.co.za/newsroom/presentations for a copy of Paul Mullon’s presentation.

The May Business Buzz was hosted by the ACDC Express. Ebrahim Patel welcomed all attendees to ACDC express’ soup and sherry evening.  ACDC express is an active business in the Middelburg and the Middelburg Chamber. ACDC Express is an electrical and solar supplier.

The event was attended by 80 people from different business sectors in Middelburg. For more info on the business, buzzes call 013 243 2253 or email: marketing@middelburginfo.com

Buzz photo:

Manus Hanekom

Johannes Welgemoed

Ferdie Labuchange

Chantal Bekker

Nick Nkambuli

JP  Botha

Ebrahim Patel

Peter Clark

Middelburg Hospice Association is an autonomous independent organisation that provides palliative care, hospices for the terminally ill and home-care support and services.

A great initiative was taken by numerous companies to ensure that the association gets well-deserved assistance in creating a professional look for the employees to make it even easier for the staff to continue laying a helping hand to the community.

TÜV SÜD South Africa is one of the companies that assisted the association by contributing branded T-shirts for all the employees. TÜV SÜD South Africa is a global technical service provider that has a range of services which covers consulting, testing, certification and training. More than 17,000 employees in over 50 countries at more than 800 locations increase safety and add economic value for the customers.

Stratum Benefits is another company that generously assisted with ensuring that the employees of the association get new and branded Aprons to help them with their fund-raising project of selling pancakes. Stratum Benefits is a leading medical shortfall specialist that consistently delivers transparent quality and remarkable value. Making every second count and every minute a memorable one! They cover the gap that exists between what your medical scheme pays and the fee charged for private healthcare.

Jormid Electrical also laid a much helping hand by contributing new branded chairs to complete the professional look of the Middelburg Hospice Association. Jormid Electrical is a company based in Middelburg Mpumalanga which specialises in the assembly, repair and maintenance of different types of earthmoving equipment, from Draglines to Stackers and Reclaimers. We would like to thank Esaaks for the discount they gave for the Chairs.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry together with Middelburg Hospice Association would like to pass on the vote of thank to everyone who invested in the project and making a difference in the lives of the people by adding hope and showing unity and support in the matters affecting the society.

The Business Linkage Centre (BLC), which is a department within the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), has committed itself to the development of SMME’s in and around the Middelburg area.

In partnership with the National Youth Development Organisation (NYDA),we hosted a 3 day Entrepreneurship Development programme (EDP) for 35 Youth owned companies within Steve Tshwete Municipality ,The training was held at the Middelburg Chamber from 09 -11 May 2017, Running a full day from 09:00 to 16:00pm. The aim of the training was to prepare the young entrepreneurs and assist them acquire all the necessary skills needed to run a successful business.

It has been proven that young entrepreneurs prove to foster more competitive economies and are enablers of shared prosperity, while adapting more rapidly to ever more globalized societies. They are also the source of innovative solutions that governments and private sector need to address current and future development challenges.

The Business Linkage Centre has hosted more than 7 training session since the beginning of the year, providing business skills to more than 190 business owners. For more of our services, Contact us on businesslink1@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253

Many of the disadvantage woman and man use their talents of crafting to make living out of it.

It has helped them a lot as more crafts are on demand on the markets, tourism industries are their greatest platform of support as they are more likely to get tourist from abroad, every tourist stating point of traveling in a city or province is the tourism information centers, when they get there for information they get to access African handmade curio designs and Jewelry that’s when their supply chain starts.

It was reported in April 2009 that crafters opportunities were limited as they did not have their market places, the government had an initiative to set up crafters and designers market which created a platform to showcase their creative work they do with their hands.

Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is working hand in hand with the crafters to develop their business in crafters work the department has opened up opportunities for them to grow their work and develop the other crafters still growing as they are given centers to work, Crafts are important part of the huge growth of the global creative economy.

Middelburg tourist information center is one of the crafters economic growers and developers as it supports by buying crafters curio items and resell them to the tourists that visit town. Anyone is welcomed to the information center shop for curio items and African jewelry

The Middelburg Information Centre took part in the Largest Tourism Marketing event on the African Calendar, the yearly Indaba which took place in Durban on the 16-18^th of May 2017.

Lizmari van Aarde and Mmabatho Phathakge attended the event and represented Middelburg.

I DO TOURISM, a South African Tourism Initiative, am a reminder to every one of the importance to develop Tourism.

The I DO TOURISM campaign highlights how tourism has the potential to change the economy as well as people’s lives.

The campaign will encourage South Africans from all roots to be Tourism-friendly in their day to day interactions with others people.

However, I DO TOURISM is not only aimed at potential domestic tourists and tourism advocates. SA Tourism is also aiming to motivate the industry as well as the industry members to keep up their good work, and to remind everyone of the importance of supporting their industry.

For more information about what Middelburg has to offer, don’t hesitate to contact us on 013-243 2253 or email us at: info@middelburginfo.com or reservations@middeburginfo.com.

You may choose to enter the 32km, 15km, 4.9km for all teams or 4.9km Fun Run.

The finish will be situated at the Kees Taljaard Stadium where you may want to reserve a site to relax and enjoy a cold one at the Beer Tent and Food Court with live entertainment on stage.

Medals will be awarded to all finishers and there will also be lucky draws throughout the day.

Starting times and sites for the will be:

4.9km for all teams – 08:00 – Kees Taljaard Stadium

32km for all individuals – 07:00 – WH de Klerk School (Witbank)

15km for all individuals – 07:00 – Hillside Station Turn off (R555)

4.9km fun run – 08:15 – Cnr VD Merwe & Walter Sisulu Street (Middelburg)

Online entries available at www.gtr.co.za

Email us for any more information: admin@gtr.co.za or info@middelburginfo.com or phone us on 013-243 2253

The Middelburg Chamber Commerce & Industry hosted our annual golf day on 19 May 2017, at the Middelburg Golf Club. The occasion is a favorite golf event for our local businesses.  An ideal platform to promote your business or products and to meet prospective clients, business owners and decision makers of corporate companies.

MCCI would like to thank all our sponsors and players that took part in and supported the day, your participation added to the event’s success. Special thanks to Nashua Mpumalanga, the primary sponsor for the day. The tee sponsors: Sollys GM; Protea Hotels; BNI-Fireworks; Corobrik; Roof-Expert; Columbus Stainless; Courier It; Middelburg Wendys Homes; Barloworld Toyota; Tiger Wheel & Tyre; Raizcorp; Bidvest Prestige Services;  Twizza; Express HR Solutions; Transvaal Training; Sanlam; Earthcomp; Fidelity Security Solutions.   Prize and other sponsors; Bidvest Van Rental; Nedbank; Vista Mining solutions; Sollys Gm; Protea Hotels; Bidvest Prestige; Deep Blue Sea Spa; Columbus Stainless; Teevee Electric; Nashua; Engen Kanonkop; Barloworld Toyota; Placepol; SAB; Ratau Canopies.

Please join us next year on our golf day on 18 May 2018, to promote your business. Alternatively, contact the Middelburg Chamber for other products and services to assist your business. Tel: 013 243 2253 or email: marketing@middelburginfo.com.

Photo Nashua Sponsor

Wihan Oberholzer & Chris