Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> 1-14 December 2005
As presented by the Free State Goldfields Chamber of Business
With so much having been said and written about regeneration of the declining economy of the Free State Goldfields / Matjhabeng region, the FS Goldfields Chamber of Business wishes to avail itself of this podium to state its case.
The Free State Goldfields Chamber of Business, the oldest organised business representative body on the Free State Goldfields, was established in 1951 during the pioneering days of Welkom, Virginia, Odendaalsrus and Allanridge. It has an illustrious history and has played a leading role in the economic and development life of this area. Its role on behalf of its members is one of service and consultation, especially in an advisory capacity.
Its record of service includes representation on numerous organisations such as: Development agencies at local, provincial and national level / Educational control boards, technical colleges and high schools / Procurement facilities in co-operation with the mining, commercial, industrial and municipal sectors / Publicity associations on the Goldfields / Community Policing forums and service clubs / Welfare and charity organizations / Recreation, social and sports clubs / the SA Chamber of Business at local, provincial and national level / Trade delegations overseas.
The Free State Goldfields Chamber of Business is still the leading organised business body in the Matjhabeng area, playing its constructive role in the growth and stabilising of the economy of Matjhabeng.
Strengths to be realised
The development of Welkom after the last World War made a major contribution to the South Africa economy and considering that, the city is now entitled to priority consideration from national and provincial government for the reconstruction of its economy.
The area is situated in the heart of South Africa and only 250 km from Johannesburg. Its geographic position makes it ideal for the construction of a cargo airport by expanding the existing airport facilities at Welkom. The current construction of the N1 Road from Kroonstad to Bloemfontein via the Goldfields will provide an excellent road network to the entire South Africa.
The rebuilding of the Bloemfontein-Senekal-Bethlehem road would further enhance this network and is crucial to promoting job creation for a population of over 500 000. The Free State area north of Winburg has by far the greater infrastructure, gross domestic product, agriculture, registered voters and tax payers in the Free State.
All these factors present compelling reasons for further preferential development of the Matjhabeng area.
Crucial matters
• The Matjhabeng area has lost in excess of 140 000 jobs in the last 10-15 years due to the decline in mining activities. Therefore, job creation is of utmost importance.
• The improvement and maintenance of the existing infrastructure must be speeded up. Proper infrastructure is crucial for effective functioning of existing business and also to attract much-needed investments in the area.
• Tourism draw cards like the Phakisa race circuit should be fully utilised for the promotion of national and international events.
• The provision of water of an acceptable quality, reliable electricity supply and services at affordable prices should be a priority of local government.
• Expediting the cargo airport project and the N1 road upgrading will promote investments. This can only be achieved by urgent intervention of government.
Latest developments and projects
The following are examples:
In keeping with the trend throughout South Africa there is an increase in the value of residential properties which in turn has resulted in developments in this sphere. Several town house and a cluster home projects have been completed or are in the process of being built. These include the large scale upgrading of vacant mine houses.
Industrial development : Very little development has taken place in the industrial section of the economy. However Ligia Papers, an investment in excess of R50 million rand has been established by local business persons and a foreign partner. This is being complemented by a number of local multi-million business projects, auguring well for a revived and restructured Matjhabeng economy.
The introduction of the Matjhabeng Land Use Management Plan.
The possible early solution of the problems of the Railway Siding project in the industrial area of Voorspoed that has fallen into disuse and is in an advanced stage of deterioration.
The call on 28 September 2005 by the Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng for the Local Council and organised business to work effectively together towards a growth conducive environment.
General
While applauding the positive statements by local government spokespersons there is a degree of caution on the side of business who require assurance that future developments will be economically viable and not just the transfer of existing businesses from one site to another, which in turn would only lead to dividing the economic cake into smaller non-viable portions.
The effect of the possible increase in interest rates, especially on loans and bonds on properties and bank overdraft facilities, remains a source of concern. The negative effect of the large scale increase in the price of fuel remains a negative factor.
The Chamber of Business has always felt that economic factors should receive priority consideration in all trading matters.
The Chamber stands ready and constructive, but requires credible and practical synergy from the local and district local authorities, especially as regards maintenance of infrastructure and the restoration of local business confidence.
Probleme met brandbestryding
By verskeie prominente besighede in Welkom by wie brande die afgelope drie jaar voorgekom het, kon brandbestryding òf nie effektief òf feitlik glad nie gedoen word a.g.v. beweerde disfunksionele munisipale brandtoerusting en / of beweerde onvermoë van personeel.
Voorbeelde van sulke brande was in 2002 by CTM in Constantiaweg, op 10 Julie 2002 by T-Rex Candles in 13de straat, in 2003 by Lantern Padkaffee in Constantiaweg, in 2004 by Midas in Jan Hofmeyrweg, vroeg 2005 by Business Partners te Ericsons Sirkel en later vanjaar by Mr. Cheapie.
Die eienaar van T-Rex Candles, mnr. Rex Barret, het aan die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin gesê dat die brandslangaansluiting van die munisipaliteit op die hoek van 13de en 19de Straat steeds nie 'n deksel oor het nie en binnekant gevul is met grond, gras en glasstukke en dat dit derhalwe in tyd van nood waarskynlik nie in 'n werkende orde sal wees nie.
Die skade wat T-Rex Candles as 'n kersfabriek gelei het, het in terme van produksie, voorraad en 'n uitvoerkontrak miljoene rande beloop en 'n siviele eis is dienooreenkomstig teen die munisipaliteit en / of die munisipale versekeraars ingestel en is tans hangende.
Flight by Goldfields mining suppliers
A noticeable trend which the Free State Business Bulletin encountered when visiting the industrial areas at Welkom, Virginia and Odendaalsrus for purposes of this special feature, is that numerous businesses making a living as suppliers of specialized services and products to the goldmines have relocated or are in a process of relocating out of the Free State as a result of the decline in the gold mining industry.
Many of this kind of businesses and once thriving are simply not able any longer to make ends meet, let alone keeping their workforce or most of them. As a result they are relocating to other mining areas in South Africa where business prospects are much better, for instance the burgeoning platinum mining industry around Rustenburg and other centres in North West province, as well as in Mpumalanga.
One such example is Parm Products at Welkom and specializing in rubberlining and related services and products for the mines. Having been in operation for 31 years, Parm Products have reduced their 150 staff component to a mere 30 and they are working ¾ shifts. Meanwhile Parm Products have moved their main manufacturing plant and staff component to Steelpoort in Mpumalanga.
The Free State Business Bulletin was told by affected industrialists at Welkom that government - on municipal, provincial and national levels - should seriously and urgently consider measures with a view to turning the tide of this flight of entrepreneurship, expertise, capital and jobs from the Free State Goldfields.
Sandy's nuwe eienaars
Sandy's Engine Rebuilders in Constantiaweg, Welkom, vir baie jare 'n landmerk op die sakelandskap van die Goudveld, is onlangs deur nuwe eienaars met Chris Botha aan die spits oorgekoop.
Sedertdien het die nuwe bestuur die dienste van Sandy's uitgebrei met 'n afdeling wat spesialiseer in algemene herstelwerk. Verder is die onderneming nou ook Saterdae oop, behalwe die laaste een van die maand.
Golf and sports estate for Virginia
A buzz of excitement has been created with the announcement that a golf and fly-fishing estate worth more than R250 million is to be constructed on the banks of the Sand River at Virginia. It is also to include a Hall Fame established by legendary rugbyplayer Naas Botha.
The estate will consist of about 250 affordable units and is all about sustainable employment before and after establishment, using local professionals, labour and service providers as far as possible. It is also about developing the Sand River, the only of its kind in Matjhabeng, as a water feature for eco-tourism.
The development is to be undertaken by a consortium consisting of local and provincial investors together with Botha.
The Hall of Fame will be the only one of its kind in the Free State, with sports people who have made outstanding contributions be honoured there. Botha said the Hall of Fame will honour the past, but will also play a role in building the future of South African sport through an outstanding outreach initiative, even to rural areas with the assistance of a mobile unit. The project is also aimed at helping South African sport to achieve a high level of excellence.
Marlim setting an example
An example of a Goldfields-based business which has started primarily to supply to the gold mining industry, but which has made a successful transition to providing more versatile products and services and in the process expanding to other regional markets, is Marlim of the Voorspoed Industrial Area of Welkom.
Established in 1981, Marlim progressed from a humble beginning to currently employing some 180 people, all trained and qualified in their respective fields. Marlim has 35 computers in the system which enables the enterprise to monitor day to day operations as well as to retrieve any documentation as far back as 1998.
Marlim facilities occupy 5 000 m² of floor space which is divided into the different workshops, as well as an additional 600 m² of office space. It has a fleet of 30 vehicles for delivery and collection of customers' equipment. Marlim also received Quality Assurance Approval from various mining houses.
Marlim's activities and representatives cover the entire Free State, the Northern Cape, North West and West Gauteng.
Situated on the northern tip of the Free State, on the banks of the Vaal Dam and right on the doorstep of Gauteng, Deneysville has, however, for long not been part of the normal hustle and bustle of the Vaal Triangle. Nonetheless it is a quaint little town with lovely boat marines, having seemingly the past two years not only discovered itself as it were, but also experiencing an upsurge of investing interest, mainly from Gauteng.
At present Deneysville proper has some 1000 residents, while the adjoining Refengkhotso township has an estimated 35 000 residents.
When entering Deneysville today one experiences clearly a “vibe” in the air - an expectancy of things happening and development taking place, coupled with the leisurely lifestyle of some people on holiday or just relaxing, mostly connected to boating and other water-related activities.
The local business sector, although comparatively small, is evidently vibrant, with an established Deneysville Business and Tourism Forum under the chairpersonship of Charlotte Whitson.
A salient feature of Deneysville at present is the considerable number of people residing at Deneysville but working in Gauteng.
Johannesburg is via the Heidelberg road and R59 route only abou an hour's drive from Deneysville. Then there is a noticeable number of former Gauteng residents who, having skipped the rat race and settled at Deneysville, have opened businesses locally.
Without drawing direct comparisons, one cannot but get the feeling that Deneysville is currently where the town of Clarens was a few years ago - on the verge of a local economic and tourism boom.
Inextricable linked to the Vaal Dam
Deneysville was founded in 1936 during the building of the Vaal Dam, which, situated at the confluence of the Vaal and Wilge Rivers, was completed in 1938, covering an area of 32 060 ha. As the fourth largest dam in South Africa, Vaal Dam supplies water for domestic, mining, industrial and irrigation use in Gauteng and surroundings from Pretoria in the north to the Vaal Triangle in the south, Bethal in the east and Rustenburg in the west. The concrete dam wall and earthfill at Deneysville has a crest length of 714 meters and the water flow is controlled by 60 gates.
The town was named after Deneys Reitz, who was minister of water affairs at the time of the dam's construction and was a son of a former president of the Orange Free State Republic. The Reitz family weekend cottage is now St. Peters, the tiny and beautiful interdenominational church on the shoreline.
With three boating clubs, two marinas, a caravan site and a public launching facility, the Vaal Dam at Deneysville is accessible for all types of water sport activities. These include sailing, power boating, windsurfing, jet skiing, fishing, etc. It is estimated that there are over 3 000 sailing boats on the dam, not counting the numerous power boats.
If you do not have your own boat then there are several that can be chartered ranging from a 24 foot sailing catamaran to a booze cruiser.
If you are looking for accommodation there are several guest houses, lodges and even a boathouse available for the week or weekend.
If your company is looking for something different for a conference, seminar or team-building exercise, you are apt to find an excellent breakaway opportunity at Deneysville.
In the vicinity of Deneysville the stone built igloo type ruins of the Khoikhoi people can also be visited.
Deneysville also forms part of the official Northern Free State's Art, Wine & Game Tourism Route.
For more info, the Deneysville Business & Tourist Forum can be contacted on 083 521 7677 or (016) 371 1130.
Eiendomsmark uitstekend
Die beste aanwyser dat Deneysville 'n juweel is wat wag om ontdek te word, is die hoë pryse wat eiendomme plaaslik behaal. Volgens mnr. Phil Medlock van Pam Golding Eiendomme te Deneysville, word tot 65% groei op eiendomsbeleggings behaal.
'n Kaal erf, afhangende van presiese ligging, kos tussen R150 000 en R300 000. Kaal erwe met waterfront is R500 000 en op. Die prys van woonhuise begin op R600 000 en hoër, met naby die water minstens R1 miljoen.
Tot soveel as 95% van eiendomstransaksies is vir tweede huise, veral vir mense woonagtig gedurende die week te Gauteng.
New faces at Anchor Creek
One of Deneysville's best known landmarks, Anchor Creek Marina, is under new management, with the business rights of the premises having been taken over by the owners of the Nu Boatyard through a long term lease.
According to a spokesperson for the new management, top of the priority list of some highly exciting plans for Anchor Creek for the near future, is the revamping of all the moorings, while extensive garden landscaping of the entire grounds is to be undertaken soon.
Meanwhile Anchor Creek is to continue offering good, affordable accommodation, while moorings and boat refurbishment services to the Vaal Dam boating community is being offered in conjunction with The Nu Boatyard. The boat sales activities of both businesses are moreover being combined.
The Waterfront Bistro is also to be upgraded to be a top restaurant around the Vaal Dam.
Trots SA Fees beplan
Vir 29 April 2006 word 'n Trots SA Fees / Proudly SA Festival beplan te Deneysville. Gehou te word by Ziba Lodge in die dorp, word dit beplan as 'n fees van musiek, sang, dans en stalletjies. Die klem val veral op plaaslike en ander opkomende talent en kunstenaars.
Vir meer besonderhede kan Miranda Peeters geskakel word by (016) 371 2036 of 082 784 2782.
Around the Island Race
The biggest inland regatta in South Africa, “Around the Island Race”, is held on the Vaal Dam annually in January, with between 300 - 500 yachts of all sorts participating. With four yacht clubs, boat chandlers, boat builders and repair yards, Deneysville offers ideal conditions and facilities.
Flof-it fun sale
A Flog-it fun sale at Deneysville is to be held on Saturday, 3 December 2005, at Lake Avenue Inn, from 10:00 onwards.
People are invited to bring all their unwanted items, an own table, pay a R20 donation (in aid of the SPCA) and sell your wares. At 14:30 a fun auction is to be held in order to assist in getting rid of those last items.
Light snack meals and a cash bar will also be available.
Enquiries to Andrea at (016) 371 1115.
Swimming challenge
On 22 October 2005 Swimming SA's first of eight seeding events for the Halfway Telkom Midmar Mile was held at the VaalDam at Deneysville.
Over 300 swimmers took to the water in six events for different age groups starting with the under 13-year olds. Most were 1 kilometer events, but the big one was the 5 km swim.
This is scheduled to become an annual event, with next year's planned to be even bigger and better.
Toekomsblik
Wat betref 'n toekomsblik te Deneysville, word dit miskien die beste saamgevat en weerspieël in die inskripsie op die hoeksteen van die plaaslike NG Kerk, soos op die foto onder ook aangetoon word.
Span die seile, God gee die wind
Two decades of highly successful dealership in Yamaha products and services, is what Salley's Yamaha, c/o Nelson Mandela Drive & Hill Street, Bloemfontein, is looking back on.
Starting off in Maseru, Lesotho, in 1986, the then 19-year old Alec Salley obtained a Yamaha dealership and has since not looked back. In 1998 Salley's Yamaha opened a branch in Ladybrand, relocating to Bloemfontein in 2002.
Accolades for service excellence with Yamaha products came in consistently, with Alec invited to the Yamaha global headquarters in Japan for special awards in 1993, 2001 and 2004. In 2003 he visited Yamaha in the USA on invitation.
This year Salley's Yamaha was awarded for Overall service excellence in SA and for best Yamaha stocking dealer per capita in SA.
Salley's Yamaha offers inter alia :
Full range of Yamaha motorcycles, scooters, delivery bikes, farm bikes, off-road racing bikes, road-touring bikes and supersport roadbikes.
Full range of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), including sports range, utility range and Rhino's (4x4's).
Boats, outboard motors, boat packages and waverunners.
All accessories for each product line.
Salley's yamaha maintains a huge showroom and well-equipped workshop.
Alec attributes the success of his enterprise to stocking the best range of products, excellent service, reliable back-up and most knowledgeable staff. He also emphasizes teamwork within the enterprise and lastly strong support by and cooperation from Yamaha South Africa headquartered in Durban.
On his part, Mr. Mike de Vos of Yamaha South Africa told the Free State Business Bulletin that Salley's Yamaha in Bloemfontein is indeed a model dealership and franchise and that Yamaha SA is truly proud of the achievements of Salley's.
Tina's Plaasprodukte, wat in Oktober 2004 in die Toeriste Sentrum, Parkweg, Bloemfontein, geopen het en wat sodanig gegroei het dat in September vanjaar ook 'n tak in Northridge Mall aan die noordekant van die stad geopen is, het sopas in die Toeriste Sentrum na 'n groter perseel verskuif.
Die groter perseel in die Toeriste Sentrum is dié van die vroeëre Linda's Coffee House, waar nou handel gedryf word as Tina's Plaasprodukte / Farm Produce & Koffiewinkel. Dit is reg langs die passasiersbusterminus, asook die kaartjieskantore van die verskillende passasiersbusmaatskappye.
Benewens koffie, tee en ander warmdrankies, asook koeldrank en vrugtesap, bied Tina's ook 'n groot verskeidenheid droëvrugte, neute, heuning, sade vir eetdoeleindes en ander natuurlike lekkernye. Dit is benewens ontbyte, wegneemgeregte en die "ete van die dag".
Die eienares van Tina's, Tina Germishuys, sê dat sy weggedoen het met die dranklisensie waaroor die perseel vroeër beskik het omdat dit deur klante misbruik is en die plek dikwels ontaard het. Sy sê alkoholiese drankverkope het vroeër tot 90% van die besigheidsomset uitgemaak, maar nadat sy met Tina's daarmee weggedoen het, het haar normale besigheidsomset sodanig toegeneem dat sy binne die eerste maand die vroeëre omset behaal het.
Op Donderdagaand, 24 November 2005, is die nuwe perseel van Tina's amptelik tydens 'n intieme funksie vir die personeel, vriende en besigheidsgenote ingewy. Daartydens het Germishuys in 'n kort toespraak daarop gewys dat “Tina's” afgelei is van “Christina”, wat beteken “volgeling van Christus / follower of Christ”. In die lig daarvan trag Tina's as besigheid om volgens voorbeeld van Elim in die Bybel vir buspassasiers en ander besoekers 'n oase te wees. Die logo van Tina's is ook volgens die Elim-motief ontwerp.
Germishuys sê dat nadat sy oorspronklik 'n stalletjie by die Boeremark in Langenhovenpark bedryf het, het sy Tina's vyf jaar gelede vanuit 'n huurhuis in Fichardtpark begin as 'n enkelma en slegs 'n huisvrou-agtergrond. Sy het ook in besonder hulde gebring aan haar huidige personeelkomponent - wit en swart - wat haar deur dik en dun bystaan.
Tina's in die Toeriste Sentrum is 24 uur, sewe dae per week, oop.
Crime has become a professional industry in South Africa and therefore it takes another professional industry - the security industry to combat it. While the state has the constitutional duty to protect its citizens - their person, activities and assets - it cannot do it alone and needs the support of the security industry.
The latter functions especially as regards prevention and deterrence of crime as far as is possible. In South Africa in terms of manpower the security industry has become just as big as the SA Police Force and its subsidiaries.
There is an estimated 10 000 registered security companies / firms in South Africa at present, disposing of some 200 000 security guards.
Working in numerous ways and with methods varying from basic to the highest sophistication, private security has become a multi-billion industry. As such it needs to be regulated in order to achieve efficiency, legality and countering of misuse.
Also in the Free State security of individual citizens, residences, businesses, corporates and state institutions is a burning issue. It also brings about that suppliers in the industry are often in fierce competition with each other and it constitutes an industry in which only the best survives and flourishes in the long term.
In this special feature, a nutshell overview is presented of a wide range of security providers in the Free State and central SA, many of whom have already duly proved their mettle. At least they would not have presented themselves in this focus if they have not felt up to what they are promising.
The cost of crime
According to the latest biannial Pricewaterhouse-Coopers Global Economic Crime Survey more than four out of five South African companies fell victim to fraud during the past two years, with 15% losing between US$1 million and US$10 million.
The survey shows that companies subjected to fraud in South Africa have increased by almost 17% to 83% since 2003. The increase is largely a result of more crimes being detected through stepped-up vigilance and prevention measures. Of the South African companies that experienced fraud, most suffered what is described as asset misappropriation (72%) and false pretences (61%).
Die regte keuse
So belangrik as wat dit is om in die huidige tydsgewig jou persoon, aktiwiteite en bates te beskerm, so belangrik is dit om die regte keuse van sekuriteitsverskaffer te maak, veral met die 2005/6 Feesseisoen voor die die deur en met die hoë vereistes wat 2006 mag stel.
Die eerste kriterium is om seker te maak die firma of maatskappy is geregistreer of geakkrediteer by die nodige nasionale sekuriteitsliggame soos wetlik voorgeskryf.
Tweedens, bedryfsrekord. Hoe lank is die firma al aan die gang, watter getuigskrifte kan dit voorlê en watter bewese suksesrekord is daar?
Derdens, hoe professioneel is die optrede van die bestuur en die van die veiligheidspersoneel en hoe betroubaar is toerusting wat aangewend word?
In beoordeling van sekuriteitsdienste kan ver gekom word met gesonde verstand.
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