Tag: MCCI

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Shady NPOs in South Africa

Are you backing a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that disregards the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) requirements?

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants’ workshop on Thursday, 27 July 2023.  During the presentation by the Department of Social Development, it became known that there are a substantial number of registered NPOs in South Africa and approximately 18 000 of the registered NPOs in Mpumalanga, with less than 7 000 that followed the NPO regulations.  Over 58% of the 256,212 NPOs registered in South Africa since 2002 were non-compliant.

The Auditor General cautioned DSD for non-compliance with the NPO Act. Failure to comply with the requirements weakens the rule of law and international standards and hinders the DSD’s ability to monitor NPOs as stipulated in the amended NPO Act (GLAA). South Africa’s failure to comply with FATF standards has led to greylisting and undermines good governance, transparency, and accountability. The NPO register could pose a risk to national security, as it is possible that DSD  keeps NPOs engaged in terrorist financing on it without oversight, which could enable fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

The assets and income of a non-profit company may not be distributed to the incorporators, members, directors, or officers, except as a reasonable compensation for their services.

The DSD will be deregistering the NPO’s that is non-complaint.  Phase 1, 1998 – 2012 will be reviewed from 1 April 2023, the NPOs that never submitted documents, or their submission was incomplete, the next phase will be from 2013 – 2015. Reports may be submitted through nporeports1@dsd.gov.za. For enquiries NPOs may call 012 312 7555. MCCI and MEDO submitt their annual reports via courier at the DSD Pretoria office, as the courier delivery note confirms receipt of the submissions.

MCCI urges our members and businesses to do your due dilligence when donating to an NPO.

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

How to turn your business into a tourist attraction

For the first time, the Middelburg Tourism Information Centre is offering training for local site tour guides. Popular areas such as Mbombela, Pretoria, and Cape Town have tour guides who attract many tourists to certain areas.

If you are visiting a place of interest with interesting stories, there is often a site guide who will show you around the premises or area. If you offer this service in your business, your visitors, and tourists, they will stay longer or spend more money in your business. This is a well-known international practise that supports and grows the tourism industry. As a private person, you can also earn an income by offering guided tours.

We do not know when we will offer the training again. The training will be held at MCCI’s auditorium for ten consecutive days starting 10 August 2023. After the exam, the participant will be accredited with NQF Level 2. The full NQF Level 4 tour guide training will be offered next year at an additional cost of R500.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. There are interesting stories and people everywhere and tourism businesses can only benefit if they can also offer a tour guide. Please contact Mmabatho Phatakge on 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com.

MCCIs Employee of the Month

MCCIs Employee of the Month

The first MCCI Member Employee of the Month has been announced, and it’s an employee from Brimis.

Congratulations to Ms Nina Nhlapo MCCIs First Employee of the month.

Ms Nina Nhlapo constantly engages and provides help in her work. Her responsibility is to ensure workplace health and safety compliance.  She manages all labour-related affairs professionally. The most recent awards were presented to her, following the latest ISO 9001 audit in our office.

Nina recruits excellent staff and maintaining employee records at all company sites and branches, as well as ensuring a smooth on boarding process. Recruiting temporary and permanent staff, resolving conflicts professionally and positively, conducting workplace investigations, and managing technical procedures.

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

MCCI Golf Day Nkangala TVET Draws Winner

MCCI Golf Day Nkangala TVET Draws Winner

Mr. N.B Maphanga of Nkangala TVET College gave the lucky draw prize Mr. E. Matlala.

The prize was a Fully Funded Apprentice Recognition of Prior Learning Training for semi-skilled artisans who had worked for 3 or more years at a company without obtaining their trade test.  The TVET program speeds up students to take the trade test in just 3 months, instead of 3 years for a typical apprenticeship.

The MCCI Golf Day is the perfect place to highlight a specific service, as the above example shows.  Our next Golf Day is booked for 26 April 2026.

Middelburg must take its future into its own hands.

Middelburg must take its future into its own hands.
The executive team of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce deliberated on how they can use the advantages of the locality to the benefit of the town and its businesses. With the constant load shedding, it was crucial to take charge of the electricity supply in our town.

The Executive and Jan Oberholzer, Eskom’s group chief operating officer, spoke about the issue on 5 April 2023 and MCCI invited the members to participate in the conversation. Following the meeting, we formed a sub-committee to continue the process. The committee will initiate various processes to move forward.

The technical committee will create a plan to start the project. AM Ott can provide you with more information if you are a person or business wanting to join the proposed consortium, cooperative, or other structure that will be established; ceo@middelburginfo.com.

Battling with your ED or SD Spent?

Battling with your ED or SD Spent?
The Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation offers a stress-free solution for businesses wanting to achieve their BBBEE values. You do not need to employ somebody or set up a department to deal with these requirements.

MEDO has been successfully assisting businesses with enterprise, socio-economic and supplier development for over ten years, taking the pressure off you to ensure a successful project.

MEDO has been helping businesses with their BBBEE spend for over a decade. And is currently hosting an exciting business development training programme. MEDO is training community businesses in the diverse skills they need and we expand and support our local businesses.

MEDO was established to manage these projects for our town and province. MEDO encourages our members and businesses to contact A Ott for more details on our BBBEE programmes.

Employee of the Month


Often you have a staff member you would like to mention in particular.

The Middelburg Chamber offers a new service to its members: mentioning the employee of the month. We publish the person’s photo, a brief description of their achievements and then also post it on our social media for the month.

Keep a lookout for the Employee of the Month in May. If you know someone who should be recognized, please reach out to AM Ott on 013 243 2253 or email ceo@middelburginfo.com.

MCCI gives money to businesses!

MCCI gives money to businesses!

Why does MCCI not give money or business to my company, or the other question is, what does MCCI do for my company?

MCCI is a membership organisation and works with, and on issues that are important to members. If your company is not a member, please do not expect any support or intervention on a business issue. One of MCCI’s key initiatives is to ensure local investment and development.

The money and free training offered by the Mpumalanga Enterprise Development Organisation, MEDO, is a sponsored project for businesses that meet a certain element of the BBEEE Code. The sponsor sets the criteria. There are also no favourites. The rules are simple: 1 Fill in the landing page as requested. 2. Only companies with the correct information can take part. 3. First come, first served. MCCI is the implementing agent for MEDO and ensures that the economic activity takes place in Mpumalanga Province.

MEDO and MCCI have a ten-year successful partnership with 100% successful projects. If you would like more information about MEDO’s projects, please contact Anna-Marth Ott at info@me-do.co.za.

Snap Chat with a Difference

Snap Chat with a Difference
MCCI hosted the first Speed Networking Session for 2023, and judging by the enthusiasm generated by the exchange of information between business people, the event was another success.
The idea of the Speed Networking event is that a person gives a one-minute pitch of their business, service, or product. Then, within five minutes, you exchange information with the person sitting in front of you. After five minutes, you move on and then talk to another person from a different company. After that, you still have the opportunity to talk to the people you missed.
At the end of the hour of snap chatting, you have a lot of contact details or at least one more person knows about your business and what it offers. Save the date for the next speed networking event: 18 May 2023, at the MCCI Auditorium 12:00 – 14:00. Look out for the invitation to be sent out in early May 2023. For more information, contact Mmabatho at 013 243 2253 or at info@middelburginfo.com.

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.