Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> 1-16 March 2006
MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions - and into which team-building can also be included) is evidently an ever-expanding business sector, with research by SA Tourism indicating that more than 110 000 foreign MICE participants visit South Africa annually. In all, 41 000 of these delegates attend the estimated 860 annual international conference events where some 40% of participation is foreign. The balance, almost 70 000, attend the many national and local events where less than 40% of participation is foreign.
The research surveyed some 130 conference venues and more than 700 international conference and convention delegates. It was found that international conference delegates spend on average 4,2 days at the conference event and a further 1,8 days at the conference destination. In addition, 39% of international conference delegates visit another part of South Africa during their stay, spending a further 3,3 days in the country.
Another finding is that although the average conference delegate is staying only 9,3 days in the country, compared to the 17 days for the average tourist, he/she is a high spender, spending some R1 450 per day and before/after the event, R916 per day. This compares very favourably to the R834 per day spent by South Africa's average international visitor (travelling by air).
Another important element of the international conference industry is that 19% of delegates bring an accompanying person, making the total number of foreign tourists visiting SA for international conferences and conventions to almost 50 000.
Overall, the local and international MICE industry is estimated at 101 000 events attended by 11 million participants and representing almost 15 million delegate days. The industry generates more than 200 000 jobs in total and contributes 2,7% to GDP, compared to the total tourism industry GDP contribution of 8,5%
Therefore the MICE industry, and international conferencing in particular, is an important component of the tourism industry and has a significant impact on the economy. The research indicates that more than half a billion rand (R547 million) is spent in South Africa (excluding airfares) by foreign delegates and accompanying people. This is worth R922 million in total contribution to GDP and represents some 11 500 jobs.
Although figures for the Free State alone is not available, the province is undoubtedly also cashing in. A snap survey by the Free State Business Bulletin amongst some of the top class conference centres in the Free State revealed that most of them are fully booked for at least the next three months and that MICE clients are not a problem. Also quite a number of international meetings are being hosted in the central region of SA, especially at the two universities in Bloemfontein.
A company specialising in supplying sound, lighting, staging, audio visual equipment, production/stage management, project/event management and artist liaison, is Melodi Productions based in East End, Bloemfontein.
According to the directors of Melodi Productions, Mr. Tebogo Seseane and Ms. Mapakiso Lepota, the enterprise has in particular a mission to promote arts and culture and in so doing to create jobs for members of the black community, especially as regards training of technicians and sound engineers. Melodi Productions also make use of casuals for the setup and arrangement of equipment for productions. They are moreover helping other production and equipment-hiring companies to coordinate any production needing support. Melodi Productions are willing to share its expertise in productions and help train any inexperienced production company to put a production together professionally. They are currently involved in arranging the Maria Moroka Park Music Festival on 15 April 2006 at Thaba Nchu and anybody interested in contributing can contact them.
However, according to Seseane and Lepota, their benchmark of top quality professional service is non-negotiable and that is what any clients can expect when availing themselves of the services of Melodi Productions.
For more info contact tel: (051) 448 1301 / cell: 084 800 1457 / email: productionsmelodi@webmail.co.za.
Supaswift Express, the local time sensitive express package company and myExpress Co., licensee of the Federal Express Corporation have merged!
Micky West, Managing Director of Supaswift (Pty) Ltd remarked, “The international network of the FedEx Corporation is essential to deliver a world class service, whilst the strong domestic product developed by Supaswift offers an equally dynamic domestic product. The combined entity now has the ability to provide all our customers with a comprehensive basket of international and domestic express package services.”
Micky West went on to say that they are committed to creating a workplace environment that inspires it's employees the way FedEx does, allowing for the creation of the best international and domestic, time definite, guaranteed, system driven door-to-door express package delivery service in Sub-Saharan Africa.
If you are interested in finding out more about FedEx's exciting new product offerings and how the Free State fits into a new global network, please contact the FedEx Branch Manager in Bloemfontein, Kolie Badenhorst for personal and professional assistance.
Helping small enterprises to start and grow is an important part of the government's fight against unemployment and poverty. More small enterprises means more jobs, more goods and services being offered, and a better life for all.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) was set up by the Department of Trade and Industry in December 2004, absorbing the skills and experience of three government-funded small business support initiatives.
What does seda do?
The task of seda is to support the growth of small enterprise in South Africa, to help create a better regulatory environment for small enterprise, and to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship.
To do this, seda is building a network of branches one in each district municipality where people can go for help to start a business or, if they already have a business, to make it stronger and more profitable. These branches will offer: ?Information, advice and referrals ?Tender information and advice ?Import and export training ?Trade information ?Business assessments ?Technical support ?Business mentoring ?Market access ?Business linkages Linked to the branches will be enterprise information centres offering a range of useful information and sign-posting services.
In each province, the seda branches will be supported by a seda provincial office, as well as by products and services from the seda national office in Pretoria. This will ensure that all seda branches offer the same quality of service to entrepreneurs country-wide.
As well as helping individuals in business, seda has a special focus on co-operative enterprises, where groups of entrepreneurs form a co-operative to ensure that everyone involved in it will benefit from its success.
Spreading the word
Through its distinctive branding and active marketing, seda is making entrepreneurs and aspiring business people aware of the services and products that could benefit their enterprises.
The bold colours of the new institution's logo are symbols of a more professional, more dynamic and more responsive approach in government's support of the country's small businesses.
Knowledge is the key
Call centre: As part of its advice and information services, seda has a National Information Centre (NIC). Anyone can phone, email, fax or walk in and talk to a customer relations consultant, who can respond to customer queries in any of the country's official languages. The NIC is backed up by a team of customer relations specialists with a wealth of knowledge on business issues, as well as a network of partners to help entrepreneurs with their questions.
Website: The seda website is a mine of information about starting and running a business, and provides links to business advice agencies, finance providers and other relevant government and private sector organisations that entrepreneurs need to know about.
Contact seda - Free State
Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda)
Shop No 133
Sanlam Plaza
Charles Street
Bloemfontein
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Tel: 051 447 3281
Fax: 051 430 3454
Call Centre: 0860 103 703
Website: www.seda.org.za
The success of the Mangaung SMME Service Centre established in August 2005 at Sanlam Plaza, Bloemfontein, led to the Centre being approved for conversion into the Mangaung branch of the national roll-out of the seda programme.
This was done under the guidance of a steering committee consisting of MLM Economic Development, UFS Centre for Business Dynamics, CUT Entrepreneurs School, the Bloemfontein Chamber of Commerce & Industry, FS Dept. Of Tourism, Environmental & Economic Affairs, the FDC, the Mangaung Youth Chamber of Commerce, Botshabelo Creations, the Dept. Of Labour, Eskom, ABSA and COMSEC.
seda Mangaung, being a partnership between the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) and the Mangaung Local Municipality (MLM), was officially launched on Friday, 24 February 2006, at Bloemfontein.
On the day, the actual launch was preceded by a seda Mangaung workshop held in the Bloemfontein City Hall, where representatives of seda, MLM and other stakeholders delivered addresses. This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MLM and seda. Proceedings then moved to the newly equipped premises of seda Mangaung at Sanlam Plaza, Charles Street, where the ceremonial ribbon was cut amongst great excitement and interest.
At seda Mangaung, local as well as entrepreneurs from the province are able to receive assistance with business planning, technical support, access to procurement opportunities, co-operative enterprise development, import and export training, company performance assessments, business coaching and mentoring as well as market access and business linkages. The opening of the branch forms part of the national roll-out plan for seda to be accessible, share information, assist small enterprises with developing business plans and promote the culture of entrepreneurship amongst entrepreneurs.
Remarking on the event, the CEO of seda, Ms. Wawa Damane, said : “For many years, entrepreneurs within the Free State province were deprived the opportunity to have a dedicated agency that looks after the interests of small enterprises in that region. The launch of seda Mangaung is in line with government plans to accelerate service delivery and to bring small enterprise support services closer to the people and ensure that they participate in the mainstream of the economy”.
The Provincial Manager of seda Mangaung is Ms. Jackie Ntshingila, who says that she and her staff stand ready to serve both existing and prospective entrepreneurs with an array of services, products and tools hitherto not available in the Free State. Representatives of inter alia the FDC and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund also form part of the servicing team.
Ms. Diane Abrahams, General Manager Economic Development of MLM noted that "the partnership between MLM and seda will insure that SMME's in Mangaung and indeed in the province will receive quality business development support".
South Africa public expenditure management has undergone substantial reform since the mid 1990’s. Key to such reforms were the complete overhaul of the system of budget planning, implementation and management. Initially, it focused on supporting the attainment of macroeconomic stability and strengthening public spending, but later the focus shifted towards a more focused emphasis on the effectiveness of resource allocation and the efficiency with which public goods and services are delivered.
These and other reforms, such as the institution of multi-year budgets under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), enabled more effective intergovernmental fiscal arrangements, through a system that allowed for more effective political oversight and a stronger focus on policy priorities as the ultimate driver of resource allocation. Such policy setting was further supported by budget stability and predictability that a transparent, yet disciplined, budget planning process, made possible.
Therefore today we find ourselves in a position where it is possible with the provincial budget to shift focus to the allocation of available resources to real service delivery plans, as opposed to the funding of item-by-item costs, based on historical item expenditure.
It is thus important to appreciate that the 2006/07-2008/09 provincial MTEF budget constitutes a deliberate attempt to direct provincial expenditure to those areas of operation that ultimately support the attainment of the goals and objectives of the Free State Growth and Development Strategy launched on 20 May 2005 and, in that way, have a meaningful impact on the lives of ordinary citizens of the Free State Province.
HIGHLIGHTS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
The provincial economy had a 3,9% growth in real terms from 2004 and contributed 5,5 % to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The primary industries (agriculture, forestry and fishing & mining and quarrying) contributed 15,5% and the main contributor being mining at 11%. The contribution of agriculture, forestry and fishing has decreased from 5,1% in 2002 to 4,3% in 2004. The secondary industries contributed 17, 6 % and the main contributor being manufacturing at 12, 5%.
2006 BUDGET
What is a budget?
Budget is a reflection of a government policy, priorities, planning and implementation processes for delivery of goods and services. It is also an instrument that the Provincial Government uses to balance competing demands for scares resources. Free State Province's budget is driven by and aligned to the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy priorities in order to improve the lives of our people.
Where do we get our money?
• National Allocation:
Equitable share = R 9,595 billion
Conditional Grants = R 1,687 billion
• Provincial Own Revenue: R395 million
Total Revenue R 11,677 billion
1) Equitable Share is the portion of nationally raised revenue that is allocated to the province through the equitable share formula
2) Conditional Grants are funds allocated to the province from the national government's budget with conditions attached
3) Provincial Own Revenue is own sources of revenue collected by the province for example, patient fees, motor vehicle licences, gambling and liquor licences.
ALIGNMENT OF PROVINCIAL BUDGET TO THE FSGDS
In order to stimulate the provincial economy and job creation, the 2006/07 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget has in line with the FSGDS the following primary developmental objectives:
• Economic growth, development and employment • Social and human development
• Justice, crime prevention and security
• Effective and efficient governance and administration
Cognizant of the last mentioned key priority areas, necessary adjustments were made to the 2006/07 - 2008/09 MTEF in order to align the provincial budget with the FSGDS.
During the 2006 budget process, the cluster approach was introduced to enhance the budget allocation and ensure alignment of departmental strategies to the FSGDS. This approach resulted in the funding of key priority areas through departmental allocations acording to the cluster system.
FUNDING OF FSGDS PRIORITIES THROUGH DEPARTMENTAL ALLOCATIONS
Priority 1 - Economic Development and Employment Creation
1) Agriculture - (R223 million)
2) Public Works, Roads & Transport less Traffic Management - (R936 million)
3) Tourism, Environmental & Economic Affairs - (R230 million)
TOTAL = R1, 389 BILLION
• Achieve economic growth rate at least equal to the national average growth rate Reduction of unemployment from 38.9% to 20%
• Provide adequate infrastructure for economic growth and development
• Reduce the number of households living in poverty by 5% per annum
Restructuring of FDC with special focus on SMME development, Investment Agency, Upgrading of tourism facilities, Harrismith Logistical Hub, Marketing the province as tourist destination through Tourism Marketing Authority, Establishment of an office at the Vredefort Dome, New roads construction [E.g -Vaalpark Interchange, Access to Koppies Dam, Springfontein - Bethulie], Rehabilitation and upgrading of road network (E.g Parys to N1, Sasolburg to N1, Dealesville Road), Implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Farmer support funded through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Maintenance of government property, Implementation of Land Care projects.
Priority 2 - Social and Human Development
1) Education - (R5, 272 billion),
2) Health - (R3, 249 billion)
3) Social Development - (R418 million),
4) Sport, Arts, Culture, Sc & Tech - (R131million)
5) Local Government & Housing - (R718 million)
TOTAL = R9, 788 BILLION
• Improve the functional literacy rate from 69,2% to 85%
• Provision of shelter for all the people of the province
• Stabilize the prevalence of HIV and Aids and reverse their spread
• Reduce the number of households living in poverty by 5% per annum
• Reduce the mortality for children under five years to 65 per 1000 live births
• Reduce the obstetrical maternal rate from 65, 5 to 20,06 per 100,000 woman in reproductive age group
• Provision of basic services to all households
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Implementation of no fee policy, Expansion of Grade R, Implementation of National Curriculum Statement, Recapitalization of Further Education Training Colleges, Expansion of Education Management Information System (EMIS), Provision of Learner Teacher Support Material, Expansion of Adult Basic Education and Training, Expansion of Nutrition Scheme, Improvement of Human Resource Management System, Forensic Pathology Services, Expansion of Primary Health Care Services, Implementation of the Provincial Emergency Medical Services Model, Increase training of nurses, Implementation of new legislation (Children's, Older Persons, and Child Justice Bill), Expansion of Social Welfare Services, Implementation of Mass Sport Participation Programme, Support the Provincial Arts & Culture Council, Adoption of the new National Housing Strategy (Housing Fund), Local Government Support, Provisioning of social infrastructure (schools and clinics).
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Priority 3 - Justice, Crime Prevention and Security
1) Public Safety, Security & Liaison - (R32 million)
2) Traffic Management From Public Works, Roads &Transport - R131 million
TOTAL = R163 MILLION
To reduce the crime rate by at least 7% per annum (with the involvement of SAPS & DJC)
Promotion of community participation, Combating of Corruption in SAPS, Implementation of Safety Programme at all Institutions, Development and Implementation of Integrated Crime Prevention Programme, Victim Empowerment and Effective Traffic Management.
Priority 4 - Effective Governance and Administration
1) Provincial Treasury - (R120 million)
2) Premier - (R92 million)
3) Legislature- (R74 million)
TOTAL = R286 MILLION
All objectives that have been mentioned under the previous key priorities remain appropriate in respect of this key priority.
Monitor the implementation of FSGDS, Enforce integrated planning processes at local authorities and provincial government, Monitoring implementation of MFMA, Develop and rollout the Supply Chain Management System, Ensure alignment of budget to Provincial Growth Strategy, Implementation of the Provincial Suppliers Management Information System, Provide strategic leadership in Infrastructure Delivery models, Upgrade of ICT infrastructure, Improve the service delivery levels of the Free State Development and Training Institute, Conduct quality legislative oversight.
TOTAL FUNDING OF 4 KEY PRIORITY AREAS
% SHARE OF PROVINCIAL BUDGET IN TERMS OF 4 PRIORITIES
HOW WILL THE R11, 626 BILLION BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENTS IN LINE WITH KEY PROVINCIAL PRIORITIES
Priority 1 (R1, 389 billion) - Economic Development and Employment Creation
Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs
The department's budget is R 230 million and will provide for an economic and environmental governance system.
Agriculture
The department's allocation is R223 million and is intended for the provision of agricultural development and support to the people of the Free State.
Public Works, Roads and Transport
The department is allocated R936 million (excluding Traffic Management) for the provision, promotion and sound management of assets, transportation and infrastructure systems.
Priority 2 (R9, 788 billion) - Social and Human Development
Education
The department's allocation is R5,3 billion for provision of lifelong education and training.
Health
The allocation of the department is R3, 2 billion for providing comprehensive health services.
Social Development
Social Development receives R418 million for rendering inter-sectoral and integrated developmental social services.
Local Government and Housing
The total allocation is R 718 million of the provincial budget. This includes R522, 601 million of Integrated Housing and Human Settlement Development Grant for housing delivery in the Province.
Sport, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
The department's allocation is R131 million for enhancing quality of life through sport, arts, culture, science and technology
Priority 3 (R163 million) - Justice, Crime Prevention and Security
Public Safety, Security and Liaison
The Department receives an allocation of R32 million to monitor, oversee and assess police service delivery.
Traffic Management from Public Works, Roads and Transport
The allocation is R131 million to ensure that all privately and government owned vehicles registered in the province are licensed and all drivers are appropriately authorised to drive.
Priority 4 (R286 million) - Effective Governance and Administration
Department of the Premier
The budget of this department is R 92 million to enable the Premier to fulfill her constitutional obligations and other functions.
Free State Legislature
The budget of the Legislature is R 74 million to provide funding for the legislative and institutional support services required by the Legislature
Free State Provincial Treasury
The department's allocation is R 120 million to promote prudent financial management of provincial resources and its core functions
HOW DO WE SPEND THE PROVINCIAL BUDGET BY ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION?
What is economic classification?
"Current Payments" - means any payments made by a provincial department in respect of the operational requirements of a department, and includes, amongst others, compensation of employees, goods and services, interest, rental of immovable properties.
"Transfers and subsidies" - means any payments made by a provincial department to another organ of state or any other person in respect of which that department does not receive anything of similar value directly in return.
"Payments for capital assets" - means any payments made by a provincial department for assets that can be used continuously or repeatedly in production for more than one year.
Breakdown of the R11, 626 billion by economic classification
Current Payments = R9, 682 billion or 83 % of the
provincial budget
Transfers & Subsidies
= R1, 363 billion or 12% of the
provincial budget
Payment for capital assets
= R582 million or 5% of the
provincial budget
Major spending items within economic classification
Compensation of Employees = R7, 380 Billion or 63% of the Provincial Budget
Goods & Services = R2, 302 billion or 20% of the Provincial Budget
Transfers & Subsidies = R1, 363 billion or 12% of the Provincial Budget
Payment for Capital Assets = R582 million or 5% of the Provincial Budget
INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET R1, 184 BILLION
INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET BY CATEGORY
New Constructions Health (R16, 771 Million), Education (R130, 849 Million), Public Works, Roads & Transport (R103, 400 Million), Agriculture (R25, 306 Million), Sport, Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (R18, 196 Million), Tourism, Environmental & Economic Affairs (R10, 300 Million) TOTAL = R304, 822 Million
REHABILITATION
Health (R128, 046 Million), Education (R39, 562 Million), Public Works, Roads & Transport (R113, 000 Million), Sport, Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (R5, 779 Million) TOTAL = R286, 387 Million
RECURRENT MAINTENANCE
Education (R8, 500 Million), Public Works, Roads & Transport (R577, 707 Million), Sport, Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (R2, 025 Million), Tourism, Environmental & Economic Affairs (R2, 900 Million) TOTAL = R591, 132 Million
OTHER CAPITAL PROJECT
Education (R2, 400 Million) TOTAL = R2, 400 Million
Ms. Diane Abrahams, General Manager Economic Development of MLM noted that "the partnership between MLM and seda will insure that SMME's in Mangaung and indeed in the province will receive quality business development support".
For more information contact:
• MEC's Office Tel: 051 4054141
• HOD's Office Tel: 051 4033065
• Budgeting Tel: 051 4055094
• Fax 051 4054152/ 448 1758/051 4033475
• E-mail: kas@treasury.fs.gov.za
• Or visit www.dot.fs.gov.za
Provincial Government Building
55 Elizabeth Street
Bloemfontein
Private Bag X20537
Bloemfontein
9300
Vrystaatse vlaktes, natuur en polsende wildlewe soos dit 'n eeu gelede was - dit is wat Rooidam Landgoed terugbring na Bloemfontein, tesame met 'n moderne lapa vir konferensie- en sosiale geleenthede.
Geleë teenaan die stad se westelike grens, is die 260 ha 'n paradys waar 'n mens maklik tot 30 spesies wild soos kameelperde, swartwitpens, bastergemsbok, njala en koedoe kan besigtig.
Die landgoed bied verder 'n tenvolle toegeruste konferensiefasiliteit waar 10 tot 120 afgevaardigdes geakkommodeer kan word. Daarmee saam 'n bos-lapa waar jy onder die sterrehemel kan sit en staar na die vuur met naggeluide in die agtergrond, terwyl die smaaklikste geregte in die moderne, uitgebreide kombuis voorberei word - dit terwyl jy sit en teug aan 'n nattigheidjie bedien vanaf die gelisensieerde kroeg. 'n Tuin met kaktusse en waterfokuspunte rond die rustige omgewing af.
Indien jy na iets alternatiefs op soek is, is hierdie voorwaar 'n ideale venue vir enige sosiale geleentheid, kantoorafsluiting, troue of konferensie.
Daar is ook wildritte op ons wildwa teen mededingende tariewe en kan u gerus bespreek vir 'n Saterdag of Sondag (maksimum 50 persone per wildrit). Verder: Doen 'n bespreking vir 'n buffetete op Sondae in die bos lapa of ontbyt op 'n Saterdagoggend (slegs besprekings).
Die stigter van Rooidam Landgoed en Bloemfonteinse ontwikkelaar, Buks Westraad, sę dit was vir hom soos 'n roeping om hierdie stukkie oorspronklike Bloemfonteinse natuuromgewing in reservaatvorm te bewaar en terselfdertyd te kombineer met moderne fasiliteite vir publieke benutting.
In Rooidam se verdere beplanning is luukse chalets en kamers op die landgoed wat hopelik teen middel 2006 voltooi sal wees. 'n Wittebrood suite asook 'n presidensiële suite vorm ook deel van die ontwikklelingsbeplanning en so ook 'n 9 putjie bundu-gholfbaan, klubhuis, tennisbane, hindernisbaan vir spanbou, vier luukse gastehuise en semi-selfsorg eenhede met konsultasie- en vergaderingsfasiliteite.
Vir alle besprekings en navrae skakel Magda kantoorure tel/faks: (051) 436 8471 of sel 082 828 8529.
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