September 2023 Archives - Business Directory

Business Pledge new Jobs

Mr Moeketsi Mpotu, President of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Steve Tshwete, Mayor of the Municipality, Cllr Masilela, met on Friday 22 September 2023 with a strong delegation from the mining, manufacturing, ICT, higher education, medical, and retail sectors strongly supporting the Steve Tshwete Municipality (STLM) delegation and delivering their message. This meeting was many years overdue and initiated the debate on the future of Steve Tshwete Municipality.

Mpotu introduced the debate by saying, “If we do nothing, we will end up remembering the golden days instead of embracing the future with focus and optimism.” He challenged business representatives to talk about what they need from STLM to create the thousand new jobs we need to boost our town’s economy.

Mr Chris Swartz of Twizza opened the debate, saying that if the town can bring the water quality back to what it used to be, they could create several hundred new jobs. He said that 60% of the country’s economic activity is within a 300 km radius and the city offers many opportunities for businesses and our economy to grow. The future water security not only for industry but also for our community is vital, and he urges STLM to secure the water from the mining sector.

Mr Sizwe Siyila of Samancor said that Middelburg Ferrochrome will be 60 years in Middelburg next year and plans to stay in the town for many more years. He assured the community of Samancor’ s support, but for our town to grow, we need a reliable electricity.

Mr Junior van Niekerk of Nashua said that the favourable environment in Middelburg has helped the company to expand to Ermelo and the Lowveld. He also said that they want to invest in a battery factory in town. An easy accessible investment support package will attract even more business to the area.

Mr Mike Tammadge of Middelburg Mall said that Middelburg Mall is one of the best malls in the company’s portfolio. However, he urged the municipality to work with other stakeholders to reduce crime in our town.

Mr Mondli Kl Kgalema, the chairperson of STLM LED, said the LED Forum is aware of community structures that threaten established businesses and the mining sector in particular. He urged all parties to use the STLM portal so that the community can access opportunities without the interference of vested interests.

Cllr Masilela, the Mayor of STLM, replied that he was encouraged by the commitment of the companies to create jobs. He summarized the SCADA system and said that the faster the system is up and running, the faster Middelburg will have less load shedding. The municipality acknowledged the comments on bureaucratic hurdles and delays in approving building plans. STLM will collaborate with MCCI and the business community to eliminate these obstacles.

Other members expressed their support for the town and the community they work and live in by contributing their input and pledging their support. The conclusion of the debate was that a fully functional municipality is necessary for the business community to ensure timely delivery of services and maintenance of infrastructure. Businesses will prosper and flourish with such a municipality. The breakfast was the first of many and members interested in attending the next event should contact Anna-Marth Ott at ceo@middelburginfo.com.

National Media Houses visited our town.

The Information Officer of the Middelburg Tourism Information Centre, Mmabatho Phathakge, accompanied a delegation from multiple media houses and the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency on a tour to promote the town’s tourism attractions. The Steve Tshwete Municipality hosted the tour.

The media tour is part of the municipality’s investment drive to promote expose the various tourism attractions to enable the growth of the tourism sector. The tour lasted two days, as there was a lot to do and see in the area.

The tour started at the construction site of the new Radisson Hotel, which will be completed next year. The hotel will have 151 rooms, a restaurant, and a conference facility. The second stop was at the Middelburg Dam, where our tour guide Ben Mokoena explained the history of the dam and how it was built. They then drove to Middelburg Station, where we met Johan Janse van Rensburg gave them interesting information and anecdotes about the station and his plans for it. A visit to the historical landmark Botshabelo to highlight the potential and the visitors saw the beautiful view of the Loskop Dam. Last but not least the Ubetyan-O-Africa.

The media tourists left Middelburg eager and well informed about our beautiful town. Do you want to hear about some stories of the places you drive by daily? To book our various town, historical and ghost tour packages you can contact the Middelburg Information Centre on 013 243 2253.

MCCI’s Women in Business Celebration 2023

Every year, the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates women in business. We salute both the business owners and the women who work in various businesses and make sure that our economy gets going.

The motto of 2023 on 15 September 2023 was “Be your Best”. MCCI not only had two great ladies speaking to our members but also the beautiful music of the Mpumalanga Band of the South African Police Service. Throughout the day, our two flamboyant speakers Anne-Marie Smith and Sharlotte Tsotetsi-Mpotu motivated women to be their best, whatever their situation, to choose, live and find out what they want to be happy, as well as their families and colleagues.

One hundred and seventy women gathered at Ukhamba Industrial Park to celebrate the Mbhokodo’s of business. The morning began with uplifting music from the SAPS Provincial Band, and the women sang and danced along. MCCI would like to thank Ukhamba Industrial Park, Thulasizwe décor, catering & sewing, Nashua Mpumalanga, Thos Begbie & co, Columbus Stainless, Alveston Manor, and Spa, Think sol, MAC Cosmetics, Twizza, FNB, PWC, NST Verification, Matsimela, SAPS Provincial band, Environ, Spalicious, The Daily Café, Brimis Engineering, Mpumamanzi, GUS, Tyrelubbe, Nkangala TVET College, Middelburg Observer.

A special thank you to Christo de Ridder who was our MC for the day and Johannes Welgemoed from Daily Coffee and Hendry Swanepoel from Alveston Manor, our organizing committee. And to our two speakers Sharlotte Tsotetsi–Mpotu and Anne-Marie Smith – may you be richly blessed. In addition, to the beautiful, sophisticated women who attended the event……. YOU ROCK.