October 2023 Archives - Business Directory

MCCI connected with Hong Kong

MCCI connected with Hong Kong

Moeketsi Mpotu, President of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), met with the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong at the end of September.

There are trade delegations between different countries and direct trade from company to company in the world. But sometimes you need a helping hand, the right contact or confirmation from the company you are planning to trade with. How can you make sure that it is a reputable company and not a front for various criminal activities?

MCCI is part of the global chamber network and with one call and your MCCI credentials; many chamber doors are open to you. You can also check if a business is a genuine business by asking MCCI to contact their counter part in the part of the world where you want operate in. We can at least confirm if the Chamber knows about the business.

Moeketsi met with the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, the second largest chamber in Hong Kong, which has nearly 6,000 members. They indicated their willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding with SACCI and MCCI. We have already made the first contact. Moeketsi also met with the Africa Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. They know the African continent well and offered their help in accessing the Hong Kong market and thus also the Chinese mainland.

Your MCCI membership opens many doors for our members. Contact us if you are travelling overseas to make global contacts, the Chamber can connect you with our network. Members interested in contact details and other information on doing business with Hong Kong should contact A Ott at ceo@middelburginfo.com.

It’s Back! MCCI’s famous mine map in A0 wall format!

It’s Back! MCCI’s famous mine map in A0 wall format!

To demystify the coal industry in the Highveld of Mpumalanga, the Middelburg Chamber has published a map of mines within a 200 km radius of Middelburg.

According to GlobalData, South Africa is the world’s seventh largest coal producer in 2022, with production up 12% from 2021. In the five years to 2021, South African production has declined at a CAGR of 3.05% and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.74% between 2022 and 2026. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analysis to paint a complete picture of this market in its Global Coal Mining to 2026 report.

South Africa’s coal exports increased by 11% in 2022 compared to 2021, with the largest share exported to India. South Africa’s coal exports are expected to grow at a CAGR of 0.67% between 2022 and 2026.

7 of the 10 largest operating coal mines are located in Mpumalanga and 6 of South Africa’s 10 largest coal mines under development are also located in Mpumalanga.

There are only place for 12 available advertisement spots. We have already received more than half of the sponsorships. Secure your place before it’s too late. Sponsor a medium-sized ad for R5 500 excl. VAT until the end of October and you will receive 5 printed A0 printed maps. The 3 landscape ads cost R6 466,09 per ad (only three available)

Facts about the map:

Annual publication since 2010
Format A0 – large – printed on both sides
Front – Map, table of contents and the sponsor advertisements
Listing of all mines, Eskom power stations and industry within a 200 km radius
GPS coordinates

iii. Contact information

Space for the sponsor ads
Back – map in full grey scale format, edge to edge to optimise the map size for easy reference.

Why should you support this initiative?

– Use it to showcase your business

– Use it to draw attention to your businesses or supply points

– Use it as an eye-catcher in your office or boardroom

– Use it as marketing material for your company

– Use it for public relations

MCCI has published this map of mines within 200 km of Middelburg to demystify the coal industry in the Highveld of Mpumalanga. Your support is highly appreciated. Contact Mmabatho Phathakge today for more information on

013 243 2253 or info@middelburginfo.com.

Blood, Sweat and Spectacles

Blood, Sweat and Spectacles

It was a hotly contested Amazing Race Saturday. 28th of October 2023 was a memorable day; the country was on tender hooks, because of the Rugby World Cup final that evening. Nevertheless, ten teams started their day competing in the Amazing Race 2023 Middelburg. They gave it their all, some their blood, some their tears and the deciding factor was spectacles.

At the start of the race, everyone was dressed to the nines, or rather in their rugby shirts, t-shirts or as branded teams. The energy was palpable and one or two team members looked like they were waiting in the starting blocks for the whistle.

The MCCI marshals held the envelopes ready and then Zelda blew the whistle for the race to start. Fortunately, no animals or small children were harmed in the race for the first clue. The teams scattered like rabbits to their vehicles, to be the first at clue number 1.

What fun it is to marshal this event. Some people could park like champions; others could not even read GPS coordinates to save their lives, and anyone who saw the teams at BUCO, no, that was the race, not crazies in the store. Brimis, your clue was perplexing and many stood in front of your gate looking around like zombies ready to attack. Water and fire were the challenges at Vivo Bingo and the region’s tourism stops.

Two teams were neck and neck to the end, and If Erica van Zyl and her team of JJ Engineering had not lost her glasses in the challenge at Alveston Manor, Nico Denner and his Gemecs team would not have won for the Amazing Race for the third time.

Everyone who took part, from the little ones to the more experience team members, everybody had fun. See you in September 2024 for our next Amazing Race.

MCCIs Employee of the Month for October

MCCIs Employee of the Month for October

It is with pleasure that MCCI introduce the employee nominated by Middelburg Observer newspaper as the Member Employee of the Month.

Congratulations to Ms Fay Cooke as MCCIs Employee of the month for October 2023.

After starting as a part-time proofreader at the Observer in 2016, Fay soon became an integral part of the day-to-day operations. She trained herself to become a qualified, professional proofreader and sub editor. She was promptly hired as a full-time employee at the newspaper.

Cooke not only helps maintain the Observer’s high standards of quality, but has also taken on some important administrative duties. When load shedding became part of our daily routine, Fay volunteered to learn how to operate the generator. She also ensured that the computer network and servers remain up and running to ease the burden and time loss on her colleagues. Her work ethic and hard work are highly commendable. Fay is truly a worthy candidate for Employee of the Month.

Keep an eye out for our November employee of the month.

To nominate a staff member, members can reach out to Anna-Marth Ott or Christo Stemmet at 013 243 2253 or enquiries@middelburginfo.com.

Municipal Energy Scenarios

Municipal Energy Scenarios

The National Treasury and various institutions have so far held three workshops to discuss a plausible energy future for South Africa.

The aim of these workshops is to develop energy scenarios for municipal energy decisions. South African metropolitan municipalities, the Presidential Climate Commission, the South African Local Government Association, the Public Affairs Research Institute, the National Treasury Cities Support Programme and other partners will support the process.

During the workshop, one of the key issues highlighted was whether government can generate growth through efficient spending. It is important that municipalities be able to improve the use of grants from government funds, or can municipalities change their electricity tariffs to address inefficiencies? Do municipalities rely on surcharges to generate revenue from municipal services?

Some measures required by municipalities and the government are to find solutions for future energy security by introducing cost-reflective tariff structures. Treasury has to fund municipalities more efficiently and municipalities need to develop a better understanding of the costs of providing basic electricity services.

There seems to be some disconnect between non-governmental organisations and consultants on how income is generated and, in certain circumstances, how municipal revenue streams work. The continued installation of solar by companies, the decline in paying customers and the amount of electricity purchased is a cause for concern. And on the other hand, there have been calls to increase subsidies for low-income households.

The economy and business’ demands for affordable, reliable baseload to strengthen our manufacturing and industry are seen as hindering the implementation of green energy initiatives. It is important that the government strengthen the coherence between energy supply, industrial policy and job security. MCCI believes that we need to strengthen the local voice of business. Members interested in attending the next meeting with Anna-Marth Ott, please email ceo@middelburginfo.com.