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!
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.
Under Construction: Outdoor Information Board
The Outdoor Information Board (OIB) next to the entrance door of the Tourist Information Centre is currently being updated.
It is the only map that is reviewed and updated with information from the Town Planning Department. The purpose of the OIB is to have a secure, 24-hour, well-lit map for tourists, couriers, and the community to find their way to a specific address. The map has grid lines and block designations for easy reference.
We are changing the map and there is a great opportunity for your business to show your patronage by placing an ad on the OIB to support this community service through the Tourist Information Centre.
Interested parties can contact Muhammed at 013 243 2253 or at enquiries@middelburginfo.com.
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.
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
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.
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.
Another 150 trained managers for Middelburg
A young woman knocks on the door of MCCI to attend the WBS SSETA graduation ceremony on 2 December 2022. She is perfectly dressed and ready for a momentous occasion.
Organisations like MCCI, Wits Business School, and Services SETA are sometimes so focused on the administrative requirements for our projects we forget the human element, and the impact skilling programmes can have. I am referring to the WBS Management Development Programme (MDP) sponsored by SSETA Discretionary Grant. The MDP training was celebrated by the students who passed with a WBS Graduation at the Middelburg Country Club.
We often dismiss the impact of a university education for local people as an unattainable dream. Wearing a university robe and standing there with a certificate in hand is the achievement of 150 students who last Friday, 2 December 2022 graduated from the WBS MDP.
MDP courses have offered our members’ staff the opportunity to further their education and strive for promotions and a better-paying job. They offer a qualification that they could not have offered their employer a year ago.
Students who have graduated should look out for your graduation photo on the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
I would like to thank the SSETA Board, SSETA staff, WBS staff and lecturers, and MCCI staff for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that this opportunity was available in Middelburg and giving local people the chance to achieve an unattainable goal.
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.
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.
