Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Editorial Comments >> May 2001

Editorial Comments

SMME's - the right climate
Finding its raison'être in the axiom that the economic growth and job creation which South Africa currently so desperately needs, can come only from developing the SMME sector, The Business Bulletin brings its readers in this edition powerful inputs from four major roleplayers. It is clear that all these roleplayers have splendid opportunities for SMME's on the table - it is up to SMME's to turn these into gain. This they will hopefully do, but the point that we wish to make, is: Do SMME's in South Africa have the right climate in which they can thrive ? We speak specifically of the labour legislative environment, of a situation in which crime is not a business threat and of a playground not requiring affirmative levelling? What we say is that if the humanly-created environment for the SMME sector in South Africa would be right, the opportunities and the SMME's are there for the sector to spontaneously ignite into the take-off so desperately needed.

Mynbou - die uitdaging
Die ander spesiale fokus in hierdie uitgawe is op die prysenswaardige poging om 'n eerste Mynbou Ekspo vir die sentrale binneland van Suid-Afrika te reël. Sover bekend, was daar nog nie so 'n doelgerigte poging op so 'n wye skaal nie. Die organiseerders - die Kimberley Skoukomitee en die Noord-Kaap Kamer vir Handel & Industrie - verdien 'n kloppie op die skouer. In die Vrystaat trek die mynboubedryf weliswaar swaar, maar in die Noord-Kaap met sy aantal verspreide myngebiede vir verskillende minerale en erts lyk dit inderdaad of 'n bloeityd op hande is. Die Ekspo kan dalk net die sneller vir 'n opwaartse golf wees. Die groot pluspunt hiervan is die positiewe ekonomiese newe-effekte wat verskerpte besigheid bring in die areas waar Assmang, Yskor, Sishen, PPC Lime, Gamsberg, e.d.m. bedrywig is. Hulle gaan aan veel meer kontrakteurs en verskaffers werk en inkomste gee - maar is die struktuur so dat hierdie geld in die Noord-Kaap gaan bly en vir verdere plaaslike ontwikkeling iin sirkulasie geplaas word? Of word die hoofsaaklik in Gauteng, ens. gebank en gebruik? Dit is die uitdaging vir die Noord-Kaap. Die syfer beskikbaar wys dat huidiglik slegs sowat 25% van die inkomste wat die Noord-Kaap myne genereer, in die provinsie bly. Kan / gaan hierdie syfer progressief opgestoot word ?

Shopping spread
In the frontpage article of this edition Prof. Wolfgang Thomas names some interesting albeit constructive points. The whole current tendency in the erection of new shopping malls is to move towards the previously so-called “white” areas. Some CBD's, like Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, etc. are getting drained. However, the solution or a be to establish and implement a definite policy to erect shopping malls in the midst of Black and Coloured residential areas. Of course this would create a new ball game with inter alia drastic anti crime steps and innovative security measures, but the price is enticing meaningful, counter action against poverty and unemployment. On the whole a challenging Ball in the court of the new local government dispensation.

Wat wil ons lesers hê ?
Wat wil ons lesers van Die Sake Bulletin in die koerant sien? Watter tipe nuus, watter benadering, meer besigheisgeleenthede, of wat ookal ? Sê asb. vir ons.
What would you like to see in The Business Bulletin - tender opportunities, vacancies, more company news on what? What do you think would give The Business Bulletin even more relevance ?

Email to us at: emarket@emarket.co.za
Fax to (051) 4307562
Write to us: Posbus 290, Bloemfontein, 9300
Phone: (051) 4305445 of 082 773 2150
Ons verneem graag van U !