Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> 16-31 July 2006
Dynarc Walk Winkelkompleks te Jan Spies Rylaan, Langenhovenpark, geopen in 2005, is een van jongste sowel as modernste winkelkomplekse, nie net in Bloemfontein nie, maar ook in die Vrystaat. Die sterk punte van die kompleks is geleë in sy byderwetse voorkoms, doelmatige uitleg, inklusiewe perdeskoenuitleg en volop en veilige parkeerplek.
Die kompleks beslaan in totaal 5 760 m˛ onderdak, beskik oor 317 kliënteparkeerplekke en bestaan uit 22 winkelpersele – almal huidiglik geokkupeer. Die ankerhuurder is Checkers. Die eienaars van die kompleks is Dynarc Properties.
Die kompleks pas ook goed in by die ewe moderne Langenhovenpark-gebied met sy nagenoeg 6 200 huishoudings en dinamiese groeitendense.
In hierdie promosie van Dynarc Walk vind lesers sommige van die toonaangewende besighede in die kompleks – besighede wat met entoesiasme hul dienste en produkte aanbied.
New golf estates in the Free State set to bolster sagging provincial economy
The development or active planning at present of at least seven new golf estates in the Free State is set to bolster the provincial economy often hard hit by wide-scale unemployment and a growing gap between haves and have nots in the province.The seven golf estates in various stages of development are:
• The Clarens Golf & Trout Estate at Clarens, where all permissions for
development have been granted, more than 80% of 250 residential stands have been sold and construction of the project has commenced. Total project cost is estimated at R500 million plus.
• The Parys Golf Estate in Parys, where also the final green light for development has been obtained, about all stands sold and construction is currently underway. It involves inter alia the upgrading of the existing 9-hole course to a fully-fledged 18-hole course.
• The Lizard Point project on the southern banks of the Vaal Dam between Deneysville and Oranjeville, comprising not only a world class golf course and estate, but also a marina and sporting complex on the same scale of magnitude as e.g. Sun City. Retief Goosen is doing the design of the golf course. As far as can be ascertained, development approvals are in order for construction to start on 700 ha of land by October this year. Residential stands are already selling fast. Eventual total project cost is estimated at R4 billion.
• The Royal Maluti Golf Estate midway between Fouriesburg and Clarens on the Caledon River side, comprising two top international Gary Player-designed 18-hole courses, some 1 000 residential stands and a range of other related hospitality and business components. The land has already been bought and the comprehensive development application is currently serving with the relevant government authorities. Initial project capital investment is some R800 million, with total project cost by 2011 estimated at R2,5 billion.
• The Stafford Hill Golf & Polo Estate at Ficksburg, comprising upgrading of the present 9-hole golf course to also a top quality 18- hole one and some 223 residential units. Also here the additional land has
already been acquired, while the necessary application for development has been lodged with the relevant authorities.
• The Vaal de Grace Golf Estate 2 km outside Parys on the biggest island in the Vaal River and incidentally being split by the border between the Free State province and North West province. It would seem that the necessary development approvals are eventually in placed and that the launching of the project would be soon. Also a huge multi-million project. The golf course design is by Nick Price.
• At Virginia on the banks of the Sand River a comprehensive golf and sporting estate is being planned with former Springbok Naas Botha as one of the partners of the development consortium. The plan is to consolidate more land to the existing Sand River Golf Club and to do the project on that, establishing inter alia also a top class sports museum for South African sporting greats. The project is still in the planning stage, but apparently much spadework has already gone into the envisaged project.
What needs also to be mentioned, is that at Modder River between Jacobsdal and Kimberley the Modder River Golf Estate is in an advanced stage of development, comprising a top standard 18-hole course as well as residential units. Construction is well underway, involving also a number of other business spin-offs. The land for this estate falls just outside the Free State boundary, within the Northern Cape – as a matter of fact it lies adjacent to the Free State border.
What is interesting, is that all these golf estates or proposed estates are situated in either rural and / or economically depressed areas of the Free State. Thus they could definitely serve as economic growth generators in their areas, as such indirectly benefiting almost the entire provincial economy.
Golf is big money today and generates a lot of business and growth spin-off. These golf estate projects by their very nature are set to create significant job opportunities and local skills development, thus raising local socio-economic levels. While certainly not miracle workers, the projects are nevertheless to impact substantially positive on their regions.
Then of course, golf is a spectator and television sport par excellence, involving also large numbers of tourists. Thus, golf tourism is financially a major segment of the tourism industry – a segment which now looks set to come to the fore in the Free State for the first time ever. Therefore this segment needs to be closely taken cognizance of and be nurtured and guided towards maximum economic and developmental benefit for the province as a whole.
Golf tourism big money
Golf tourism elsewhere in South Africa and certainly elsewhere in the world means lucrative business, with plenty of spin-offs. A salient feature of the golf estates currently being developed in the Free State, is the top international standard and related facilities of the golf courses themselves. That means that considerable international attention in terms of players and spectators could be expected. As a matter of fact, that is one of the main target markets the developers are going for.
A positive factor for South African golf tourism, is that green fees have remained relatively low in comparison with overseas golf courses. For most foreigners, this represents excellent value. Japanese golfers state that it is cheaper for them to fly to South Africa, stay in 5-star accommodation, purchase golf gear (golf clubs and bag), and play golf daily at top rated golf courses for one week, than to play one round of golf at top rated courses in Japan. Most foreigners state that besides being relatively cheap, top rated golf courses in this country are generally accessible, whereas the top rated courses in their countries are often not, due to strict membership criteria.
For the Free State in future, the present scenario as regards the Western Cape could serve as an informative case study. Researched information on the economic contribution of golf tourism to the Western Cape economy indicates that a daily tourist spend of R1 270 could be assumed as a starting point. At a total estimated 29 389 golf tourists per annum to the Western Cape, this gives a total of R373 million per annum. It is estimated that the general tourist growth potential in the Western Cape is almost 72 000 tourists and R911 million per year, of which some 20% will go to the golf industry, with the rest flowing into general tourism expenditure.
For more info on the subject, see www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/publications/reports_research/R/95129
World class project to be development pillar for Eastern Free State
The Royal Maluti Estate project in a process of being planned in the picturesque Eastern Free State between Fouriesburg and Clarens, strives to strike the golden balance between a world class entity and a generator for socio-economic development in the region.
To be situated on the consolidated land of the farm Groothoek and six other farms midway between Fouriesburg and Clarens on the side of the road towards the Caledon River and the Lesotho border, the planned project comprises inter alia some 1 000 residential units and two 18-hole golf courses. The budgeted amount for the development of the infrastructure and the key facilities for the project is about R795 million, while the total project cost with completion of all the residential units by 2011 is estimated at R2,5 billion.
Other components of the planned project include a golf club house of world standard, a five star boutique hotel, several lodges, top class conference facilities, equestrian amenities, a range of other sports facilities, a chapel, a supermarket, a number of restaurants, etc.
The sizes of the residential stands are to vary between 2 000 m˛ and 8 000 m˛, while the design of the two golf courses is by Gary Player, with construction to be done according to USGA specifications. As such the courses would be suitable for top quality international golf tournaments – on par with for instance Fancourt at George.
The same approach applies to the other top notch components of the project, such as the boutique hotel – it is aimed to be on the same level as what the best European, North American and other top destinations in the world offer.
However, at the same time the resort would also be affordable and accessible to the average South African tourist and visitor.
Infrastructure development includes reticulation and irrigation, raw and potable water reservoirs, water purification and treatment plants, an internal road system, deviation of the S505 provincial road, water pipeline and sewerage networks, an electricity grid and substation, stables and paddocks, etc.
This all add up to the key fact that the Royal Maluti Estate project would serve as a boost to the local and regional economy in terms of tender opportunities, employment creation, entrepreneurial challenges, skills training, tourism spent, heightened consumerism and increase in money flow. The socio-economic spin-off could bring a significant change to the current rather depressed socio-economic situation in the Eastern Free State / Thaba Mofutsanyane region.
Black economic empowerment forms an integral part of the planning of the Royal Maluti Estate project. In addition to BEE shareholding, an amount of R35 million is also to be set aside in a trust for social upliftment in the Dihlabeng municipal area.
It goes without saying that a cardinal aspect of such a major rural development project is environmental impact assessment (EIA), since the physical development has to complement the natural habitat in all its facets and be in tandem with it. This concerns, amongst others, fauna and flora sensitivity, land potential, spacial connectivity, aesthetics, social and heritage impact, water management, waste regulation and tourism effects.
To this end, due studies, evaluations, recommendations and modus operandi have been duly included in the project planning process. The development proposal in this regard is currently serving with the Free State Provincial Government, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality and other relevant authorities for the necessary approval. For longterm sustainability it is essential that all appropriate criteria be complied with.
Thus the Royal Maluti Estate project, with golf as the centrifugal force, constitutes a partnership between private enterprise, governmental regulation and public interest – all in a win-win situation and to greater benefit of local communities.
The architectural design is entirely informed by its context, which in turn consists of the greater landscape of Clarens, the architectural heritage of the area and the climatic considerations of building in a mountainous area at altitude. Therefore the designs are sensitive, blending, complementing, enhancing and working in unison with the Maluti Mountains and the Caledon River.
Human Scale is the operative word. Structures will be fragmented as far as possible, creating an intimate environment, celebrating the views and vistas on offer in all directions. Scale, materials, massing and style, will all enhance the surroundings, placed discreetly within the development envelope, screened by the landscaping and celebrated by the golf courses.
As to the theme, sandstone will be the preferred choice, framing gabled facades, accenting chimneys, columns and entrances.
Roofs will be pitched and fragmented, blending with the environment so as not to interfere with any vantage points from stands on a higher level. Typical elements will be wooden windows, large verandah overhangs, gable adornments and interesting roofscapes.
In addition to the residential component, the centrally located village will provide the focus of the estate theme. Here, the objective is to create a village meander to compare with the best that South Africa can offer. The program includes a club house, small hotel, amphitheatre, convenience stores, chapel, health spa, conference facilities.
No monolithic structures will be allowed. All the buildings will be in keeping with the residential guidelines, creating interesting spaces and offering a varied experience of narrow vistas, opening up onto larger piazzas and squares.
This village will cater mainly to the estate residents, yet also provide a central draw card for all golfers and visitors to the estate. The village centre will only be for pedestrians. Vehicular access will occur as a ring road and cars will be housed either in basements or barn-like structures, suitably camouflaged.
The architecture is set within an awe inspiring landscape and together with the golf courses will create a destination development touched by a sense of history. The development in itself will enhance and add to the wilderness corridor, drawing even more visitors to the surrounding towns of Clarens, Bethlehem, Fouriesburg and Ficksburg.
Packaging: Essential, fast-moving and fast-adapting
By its very nature, in the fast-developing technological world of today, packaging of products is an essential and critically important element – for the producer, the handler and the consumer. As a result, in the modern day economy, there are numerous forms of packaging, ranging from canisters to bottling and from plastics to carton, you name it. However, functionality, quality and marketability remain the three operative words.
To comply with these requirements, keeping pace remains the bottomline. For instance, as regards relevant sophisticated processes, a concept like in-mould labeling eliminates the printing process and enables the manufacturer to achieve a finish, definition and quality of decoration unattainable by conventional printing. For the inclusion of product variants, the process allows for label changes under running conditions, without interruptions. The process also lowers secondary handling and prevents potential contamination, because after the moulding, it is ready for packing and then from the injection moulder it is sent straight to the filling plant and then the end customer.
This is just an example how intricate the integrated process of packaging and related labeling and barcoding has become.
The packaging industry in South Africa is estimated to employ 50 000 people directly and nearly double that indirectly. The industry is regulated by the Packaging Council of South Africa.
In this special feature the focus is on suppliers in the packaging industry in central South Africa. Those of them advertising in the feature are saying their products comply with the stringent requirements of the time and that they are able to see that customers keep pace as regards this fast-moving and fast-adapting industry.
Challenges
Amongst numerous challenges facing the packaging industry are the following:
• Most packaging in SA today is done in some plastic format and as regards this, collection and recycling pose tremendous challenges. However, although difficult to collect, the collection rates of plastics are lower than those of other materials.
• In general, environ-mental considerations constitute a critical challenge – the aspects of littering, recycling, reuse, etc. All inorganic materials, especially glass, is a worldwide problem, even more so in SA and the central region.
• The escalating price of fuel is currently pushing viability in the packaging industry to new extremes. The customer / consumer simply has to examine closely where he / she gets best value for money.
Storage
Efficient storage is critical to efficient organizing and arranging within any business. It starts from an ordinary office desk and go right through to the largest and most complicated stock-keeping. Efficiency in storage and organizing / arranging translates into optimal productivity by employees. The better it is organized and the more space is created to move in, the higher productivity – and profitability – becomes.
A true market leader in this respect is Storage Concepts in Bloemfontein. Their advertisement in this feature gives an idea of the magnitude of the variety of their excellent product range.
It is also an indication of the high standards already set in the storage industry.
Corrie Prinsloo en die Rooi Kombuis vier vandeesmaand 17 jaar van suksesvolle entrepreneurskap. Dit het alles begin toe Corrie en haar man met 'n gesin begin het en finansiële druk haar genoodsaak het om 'n addisionele bron van inkomste te vind. Sy kon dit eenvoudig nie oor haar hart kry om haar kinders onder ander toesig te laat sodat sy 'n voltydse betrekking kon beklee nie. Corrie beskik oor 'n LO graad en het by die destydse Klopper Gimnasium as 'n aerobiese instruktrise klas gegee.
Corrie het op bak besluit en die Rooi Kombuis in 1991 letterlik uit die huis se kombuis begin met haarself, een stoof, en baie krag van Bo. Vandaar het die onderneming net bly groei tot waar dit vandag 'n dag-en-nagskof 24 uur bedryf is met 'n personeeltal van 30. Produkte word aan bykans al die tuisnywerhede in Bloemfontein gelewer, asook besighede, instansies en privaat kliënte wat vars gebak op 'n daaglikse basis ontvang. So bv. is Checkers te Bloemfontein sowel as Welkom vaste kliënte.
Voorts word die volle spektrum van spysenieringsdienste aangebied vir troues, kantoorfunksies, sportbyeenkomste, ens. – geen geleentheid is te groot of te klein om spesiale aandag te ontvang nie.
Keurig-voorbereide, kwaliteit gebak teen uiters billike pryse is die formule vir die sukses van die Rooi Kombuis.
Die besigheid word steeds bedryf vanaf die woonperseel van Corrie en haar gesin te Parfittlaan 35, Bloemfontein, wat egter sedertdien aangepas is om doelgemaakte en gerieflike fasiliteite te skep vir flinke produksie en ontvangs van kliënte.
Corrie bedank haar bestaande kliënte en almal wat met haar besigheid saamwerk, vir hul fantastiese ondersteuning. Sy sę 'n besondere woord van dank en waardering gaan ook aan haar man, Boom, en hul kinders, asook aan die personeel van Die Rooi Kombuis. Bo-al sę Corrie is die Here Jesus haar Rots en Lig.
Sy nooi alle bestaande kliënte sowel as voornemende kliënte uit om haar en haar span te kontak oor enige spesifieke behoeftes.
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