Category: October 2022

Implementation of the BBEEE Scorecard at the local level is crucial

Implementation of the BBEEE Scorecard at the local level is crucial

The Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation (MEDO) has developed an innovative tool for the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) scorecard’s supplier development, enterprise development, and socio-economic development elements. MEDO can provide targeted, localized programmes to the business community and has done so for more than ten years.

A measured company can spend considerable time and money to transform itself and reach the desired BEE level. A company must calculate the correct targets per the legislation, to achieve the desired result. These scorecard targets are determined by the company’s financial results.

For BEE champions, it is essential to have a solid regional network to ensure a broad reach in the community. Sound financial management is the backbone of a successful BEE scorecard and transformation strategy that meets all BEE audit requirements. It is important to note the successful MEDO projects over the last ten years. These projects were rolled out in the identified areas determined by the company’s BEE requirements.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the implementing agent for MEDO’s enterprise development programme. If you want to know more about how your company can use the successful MEDO BEE system, contact Anna-Marth Ott at info@me_do.co.za.

Tourism Development in STLM

Tourism Development in STLM
The local tourism organization in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality held its quarterly meeting on 18 October 2022. The industry discussed tourism repositioning, reconstruction, and funding opportunities available to tourism businesses.

Members made suggestions on how we can attract tourists and generate revenue. Adriaan Esterhuizen from BMDC gave a presentation on funding opportunities for tourism and how tourism members can apply for these funds. Qualified for these funds are SMEs that provide the following services:  Transport services – i.e. tour/shuttle services ❑ Travel agencies ❑ Tour operators’ ❑ Boutique Hotels ❑ Guesthouses ❑ Bed & Breakfasts ❑ Hospitality (including restaurants)

For more information on how to access these funds, please contact: adriaan@bmdc.co.za

DecisionSmiths Hosted the October Business Buzz

DecisionSmiths Hosted the October Business Buzz

The business community meets and networks at a Middelburg Chamber business buzz or breakfast.
Dr Christoff Prinsloo presented the systems and processes needed to make the best decision for your business. Today’s business landscape is fraught with complexity, bias pitfalls and uncertainty. Accurate decision-making has never been more important. The Decisionsmiths specialises in improving the quality of decision-making of your team through in-depth decision-maker insights and tailormade data analytics. It has never been this easy to make a visible difference in your team’s decision-making performance. Visit www.thedecisionsmiths.com for more information.

The next networking event will be Speed Networking on 24 November 2022. Invitations will be sent out in the first week of November, and RSVP as soon as possible. For more information or to host a Business Buzz, please contact Mmabatho or Christo at the MCCI office at 013 243 2253 or email info@middelburginfo.com.

Another legal victory for Chambers

Another legal victory for Chambers

Municipal electricity price hikes were ‘unlawfully calculated’, says court.

When chamber members work together, business wins. The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber took the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to court and won. Eskom supported the chambers’ application.

The Gauteng High Court has found that the NERSA used unlawful methodology in calculating annual electricity price increases for municipalities. It declared its guidelines and benchmarking methodology unconstitutional and gave NERSA one year to change this.

Chambers said that municipalities use electricity tariffs to pass their inefficiency costs to their consumers. They used the electricity income to pay for their management failures, including lack of infrastructure maintenance and rampant electricity and cable theft, to consumers. NERSA has not required municipalities to demonstrate the relationship between their actual costs, the tariffs they have applied for, or the benchmark tariffs.

In her order, Judge Elizabeth Kubushi also said that NERSA does not use the municipalities’ financial information to assess proposed rates for compliance with the law. Instead, it uses a sample of these forms to calculate an average rate of increase.

Steve Tshwete Municipality is one of the few that has calculated its electricity tariffs with integrity. The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanks STLM for doing so. Other towns have not been so lucky, and their businesses have been hurt by the poor financial management of their municipalities.  Members interested in the full judgement can contact Anna-Marth Ott at ceo@middelburginfo.com