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Elected Local Tourism Leaders

Elected Local Tourism Leaders

The Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) of the Nkangala district held its first AGM in November 2022 at Nkangala district Municipality and members of the six Local Tourism Organisations (LTO) elected the new executive members.

The RTO comprises six active LTO members from the six municipalities in the Nkangala District and the home to the world-renowned Dr. Esther Mahlangu. The purpose of the RTO is to help market and boost tourism in the area.

They selected the following members to serve on the board for 3 years. Bongane Mabena- Chairperson, Trina Matheson –Deputy Chairperson, Mary Nkosi- Treasury, Margret Mahlangu –Secretary, Katrine Mnguni –Deputy secretary, and Mmabatho Phathakge – Additional member.

We encourage members of the public to register and take part in boosting the tourism economy and making their town known in the tourism sector.

For more information on how to register or get involved, you can contact Mmabatho at 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

People in Ivory Towers have no interest in towns

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has met with business leaders, is hosting a briefing on the energy crisis with Business Unity South Africa, Business Leadership South Africa, and Black Business Council on Monday 16 January 2023.

Where is their mandate to meet on our behalf? Have they spoken to local businesses in different cities to find out about the situation on the ground? No, they do not have our mandate. Yes, they want to do business in our towns, sell us clothes, be our landlords, sell us their TV services, and the list goes on. But no, they do not negotiate with the local business community to find out what is also to our advantage.

The Eskom crisis feels like the municipal strike. No one in power takes action. What have the BUSAs, BLSA, and BBC done to find a workable solution to the current electricity crisis since 16 January? We need concerned local leaders, a united opposition front, and local business leaders to find solutions. We have the owner’s interest, not the big heads sitting in Gauteng. Their only interest is to make money in the Highveld of Mpumalanga.

A Big Thank You to MEDO

A Big Thank You to MEDO

Over the past six months, the Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation (MEDO) has been engaged in two intensive enterprise development projects.

MEDO partnered with the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) to run skills development programmes for local black businesses in various areas, from working at height to closing sales. MEDO used the MCCI’s extensive network to reach out to and empower the local community.

Another company sponsored businesses that are 100% run by young black female entrepreneurs. MEDO and MCCI wish the beneficiaries the best of luck with their new equipment and skills, and that they turn their businesses into successful enterprises.

Opportunities at MCCI

Opportunities at MCCI

The year’s municipal employee’s strikes, load shedding, and fuel costs have made it tough for business owners and managers. What has the local chamber done for its members?

It’s very difficult to keep everyone happy and provide great opportunities for the business community without the support of the larger business community. We have had a few people call out, “What are you doing for my business?” Become a member and attend our events and when the opportunity knocks, you will be ready.

It can also be very discouraging for staff when consultants who have received high-value grants or companies who are not members demand free support. What to do? If a thing is free, it has no value.

We create our own members-only opportunities. So join and you will have the chance to see and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Chamber. Do not stand on the sidelines, be part of the solution.

MEDO ends the year on a high note

MEDO ends the year on a high note
The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our partner, the Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation, are in the final stages of a local economic development programme.

A local corporate company has mandated MEDO to develop a programme that focus on local economic development. The enterprise development element of the BBBEE code has many parts and can be confusing for businesses, especially if you simply want to continue running your own business. Committed business persons want to see that the money spent has a local impact.

MEDO, with the support of MCCI, trained 141 employees of 63 black-owned businesses from 1 September 2022 to 13 December 2022. These companies trained their employees to increase their business’ offered services.

MEDO provided training on technical skills and various business trainings. We end the year on a literal high as twenty companies complete their certificate in working at height with the required health and safety certificate. These twenty companies will start work next year with the ability to offer a much needed service to the local business community.

Follow the MCCI’s Facebook page so that you do not miss out on the last leg of the training offered in January 2023. You can also register your business on the MCCI’s Local Procurement Database, so that you get the invitations in your inbox. Contact Njabulo at reservations@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253 for more information.

Diamond Circle Chamber visit

Diamond Circle Chamber visit
President Louw Allan, Gordon Webb, and Ariska Schoombee from the Diamond Circle Chamber visited the Middelburg Chamber at the end of November 2022.

The Diamond Circle Chamber hosts many popular tourism events in Cullinan and MCCI exchanged ideas with them on how we can host the same events in Middelburg. In turn, they looked at our reservation system to book accommodation at the South African National Parks.

The two chambers are near neighbours and we hope to further develop our relationship with them.

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.

Organised business met with MM

Organised business met with MM
Members of the organised business community: the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and NAFCOC, and the Hendrina Business Forum met with Mr. Mandla Nguni, the newly appointed Municipal Manager of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM), and his team on Tuesday, 20 September 2022.

The STLM officials discussed the municipality’s 2040 growth plan. The good news is that STLM’s local economy has grown at the expected rate of 4.4%. But, warned that a doubling of the population is expected. This increase would put the infrastructure and access to water under strain without the necessary planning. The local unemployment rate will also become a significant problem without concerted action to attract manufacturing companies.

Mr. Nguni said the STLM is working hard to address all municipal services and infrastructure maintenance backlog. Issues such as protecting our electrical infrastructure are high on their agenda. He also reiterated that with the support of the organised business community, STLM will once again become the investment community of choice in Mpumalanga.

All business associations have pledged their support, and we are looking at a bright future for our town.

Are you a manager or the owner of a Business?

Are you a manager or the owner of a Business?
In the past year, many companies have had to deal with local issues that normally have no impact on their operations. Have you felt powerless and isolated as a manager or owner of a business with the municipality closed?

Even though it seemed like nothing was happening at the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry during this time, many of the business owners who sat on the Executive worked in the background to find a mediated solution. You do not have to stand outside and not know what is happening. Become a member of the MCCI, and you can play an active role in the strategies that influence the town’s growth.

What do you think should happen in the city in the next five to six years? Do you own property, have your own business or run a company? Your input and participation are valuable; your future is at stake. Why should you rely on politics for your future? Work together with other businesses for the future of Middelburg and Steve Tshwete.

A reminder to members: if you have a question or concern, we are only a phone call away, or you can reach me at ceo@middelburginfo.com.