Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> July 2005
As one of the most dynamic and fastest growing industries of the economy, consumers and entrepreneurs involved in the food and catering line, are demanding top standards from suppliers to the industry in terms of product and service quality. The industry is by its nature highly competitive and only the best is these days acceptable. In this focus on the industry, a number of suppliers operating in central South Africa are being introduced. As can be seen, they are serving the industry in a highly interesting variety of ways.
Food and beverage products that support healthy diets, weight loss and on-the-go lifestyles are among the world's fastest-growing, according to a new global study from AC Nielsen, a leading provider of consumer and marketplace information.
According to AC Nielsen's report entitled “What's Hot Around the Globe - Insights on Growth in Food and Beverages 2004”, shows that of the seven categories that experienced double-digit revenue growth in the last year, five offered perceived health or weight-loss benefits. “Our study shows that consumers the world over are concerned about diet and health, particularly with all of the media attention on issues such as obesity and diabetes,” notes Jane Perrin, AC Nielsen global services MD and author of the report.
“It shows that food and beverage companies that develop healthy products which also meet consumer demand for good taste and convenience will find a receptive market for these products. Product innovation can drive excitement and trial in categories, but only those enhancements that meet more sustainable consumer needs, particularly health and convenience, will enjoy long-term success,” explains Perrin.
Product categories that are apparently meeting these needs include drinkable yoghurts (19%), fresh ready-to-eat salads (8%) and bottled water (6%) - all of which were found to be hot-growth categories in the 2002 and 2004 studies.
“Global marketers of food and beverage products must ensure that they are positioned to capture the many growth opportunities that exist in the developing markets, or risk being left behind,” notes Perrin.
Met hierdie fokus op die prokureursberoep in die Vrystaat, wat voortaan as gereelde rubriek beoog word, word getrag om die beroep in die Vrystaat aan die sakesektore en ook aan die breë publiek in die provinsie bekend te stel.
Tesame daarmee word basiese aktuele kwessies aangespreek met die oog op bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van 'n gesonde wisselwerking tussen die prokureursberoep in die sakesektor en publiek in die Vrystaat.
Daar is tans 762 praktiserende prokureurs in die Vrystaat, met 326 prokureursfirmas.
Die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin bied met hierdie rubriek aan prokureursfirmas die geleentheid om van hulself 'n profiel voor te stel aan die strategiese teikenmark wat bereik word.
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) is the umbrella body of the attorneys' profession in South Africa. The LSSA aims to promote the common interests of its members, having regard at all times to the broader interests of the public whom the profession serves.
The Free State is also affiliated to the LSSA. The official publication of the LSSA is De Rebus, being published monthly.
For more info, see www.rebus.org.za and www.lssa.org.za.
The Attorneys Fidelity Fund is a statutory body established and regulated by the provisions of the Attorneys Act 33 of 1979 (“the Act”). Its objective is to protect the public against loss as a result of the theft of trust funds by practitioners. The protection provided by the Fund encourages the public to use services provided by legal practioners with confidence.
The Fund derives its income principally from interest earned on practitioners' trust accounts, which enables the Fund to offer valuable financial support to the profession. It values the active involvement of all practitioners in the maintenance of a sound Fund.
The Fund vests in and is administered by a Board of Control, which holds the Fund in trust for the purposes defined in the Act. The Board consists of representatives of the (at present) four statutory law societies in South Africa, the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.
The Board is primarily charged with the formulation of policy and decision-making with respect to management of the Fund's affairs. The day-to-day administration of the Fund is carried out by its Management, which in turn, is overseen by an Executive Committee of the Board of Control.
The Fund might be termed a statutory client protection fund as it serves to protect trust creditors against loss by reason of theft, of money or property entrusted to a practitioner. Thus the Fund provides guaranteed recourse for the public against financial misconduct on the part of an attorney or attorneys.
Flirtation with colleagues at work is commonplace. Yet, what one person might regard as a light flirtation, another might consider it to be sexual harassment. These different perspectives could potentially create problems for the employer.
The Labour Court has recently found in a well-publicised case that the employer could be held liable for the actions of its employees if it does not intervene.
In the case in question, a woman security guard had been sexually harassed by her supervisor. About six months after she had started working, her supervisor suggested a relationship with him, started touching her body and one day locked her up in the guardroom, threatened her with a gun and indecently assaulted her.
According to the employee, she brought this to the attention of her employer who, however, repeatedly ignored the matter. Eventually the employee resigned, but declared a dispute on the basis that she had been constructively dismissed.
The court awarded an amount of R82 000 in damages and compensation, not against the perpetrator, but against the employer. According to the court, the employer should have foreseen the development of a hostile and intolerable working environment in these circumstances.
A further interesting aspect is the award. Of the R82 000, an amount of R12 000 was awarded for unfair dismissal, based on 12 times her monthly salary of R1 000. A further amount of R20 000 was awarded for future medical expenses, in this case for psychological counselling. A further amount of R50 000 was awarded for general damages, i.e. for the psychological trauma suffered.
In another recent case of similar nature, the Court of Appeal awarded R776 000 in damages to a secretary, having found that her corporate employer neglected to protect her against sexual harassment in the workplace after she reported the harassment.
The conclusion to be drawn from these judicial judgements could be summed up as follows:
Every employer has a legal obligation to treat every complaint of sexual harassment in the workplace seriously and to take immediate steps to prevent a repetition of the alleged harassment.
The responsibility is no longer with employees to lay a formal complaint. There can be many reasons why they prefer not to formally complain, the courts found, including the fear of losing their job.
If the employee lays an informal complaint as a result of sexual harassment, it must be handled by the supervisor (and his company, by definition). Otherwise the company is just as liable for damages to the harassed employee as the harasser himself.
For more info on this sensitive subject, refer to www.labourwise.co.za.
Kroonstad het in die vorige eeu te voorskyn getree as een van die sterkste ekonomiese groeipunte in die Vrystaat. Omring deur 'n besonder sterk boerderydistrik, het, veral wat betref Afrikanerbeeste, skape, mielies, koring, sonneblom en ander produkte, 'n lewendige en moderne sakesektor op die dorp ontwikkel.
Met die draai van die eeu het verskeie faktore, soos die afskaling van Spoornet, algemene plattelandse agteruitgang, omwenteling in die landbou en die politieke veranderinge in die land, Kroonstad egter op 'n afwaartse kurwe geplaas.
Vandag is Kroonstad met sy sowat 200 000 inwoners, wat die uitgebreide woonbuurtes Moakeng in Brentpark insluit, kennelik besig om te heroriënteer oor wat die beste groeipad vorentoe is. Werkloosheid en armoede onder 'n aansienlike deel van die gemeenskap stel bepaalde hedendaagse eise en uitdagings.
Hierdie oorsig, gekoppel aan die besondere 150-jarige viering van die dorp, bied 'n oogopslag oor besigheid en ontwikkeling te Kroonstad 2005.
Let gerus ook op die adverteerders hierin - hulle is mense wat met ondernemingsgees en dryfkrag vir almal 'n verskil wil maak.
Die geskiedenis van Kroonstad vanaf selfs voor die stigtingsjaar in 1855, is skitterend nagevors en te boek gestel deur Dot Serfontein, bekende skryfster en 'n lewenslange boervrou van die distrik. Die boek, getiteld Keurskrif vir Kroonstad en beslaande meer as 600 bladsye, is ryklik geïllustreer met unieke fotos uit vervloeë jare.
Vir gesaghebbende insig in die wel en weë van Kroonstad en die mense deur geslagte wat die dorp help vorm het, kan die boek gerus geraadpleeg word.
Ongelukkig egter is 'n beperkte oplaag van die boek gedruk en indien probleme ondervind word om 'n hand daarop te lê, kan kol. Steenkamp by 082 925 3700 geskakel word.
Since its founding in 1910, the activities and role of the Kroonstad Chamber of Commerce have been interwoven in the historical fabric of Kroonstad. Going through the annals of the Chamber, it is, however, also evident that the chamber had its highs and lows. So for instance the Chamber had to be resuscitated four times between 1910 and 1930.
The 1930's were hard hit by the depression and the Chamber's progress was as a result greatly retarded. Membership fluctuated between 30 and 60 members. The agenda of meetings followed almost the same pattern as that of today, such as postal and railway problems, overtrading, auctioneer sales, hawkers, wholesalers selling direct to the public, etc. When the bypass road was first mooted in the thirties, the Chamber made strong objections and insisted that the natural road pass through Cross Street. The Chamber fought against this project for 25 years, but it was a loosing battle.
In 1935 the Chamber arranged a Kroonstad Exhibit at the Empire Exhibition in the Johannesburg Show Grounds, which resulted in excellent publicity for the town and in several factories making enquiries for factory sites.
The two highlights for the year 1939: The Chamber acted as hosts to the national Associated Chamber of Commerce and hotels were filled to overflowing with delegates representing every Chamber in the (then) Union. The second event was the visit of the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone. The Chamber together with the Council gave a reception in his honour at the River Pavillion.
During the Second World War membership dropped to half and an appeal was made to recruit new members. In 1947 the royal family, King George and Queen Elizabeth accompanied by their two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, visited Kroonstad and the Chamber appealed to all stores to royally dress their windows.
1950 saw a reawakening of the Chamber and membership increased to 100, becoming a Principal Chamber, the second biggest in the Free State and the 17th biggest in the Republic.
In 1956 Mr. Ted Fairweather was installed as President in the presence of his proud father, Mr. A Fairweather, while Mr. Fritz Relling Sr., a former President, was nominated to represent the Chamber on the SANTA Executive for 17 years.
By 1959 membership stood at 110 and the Chamber was responsible for establishing a pension fund.
In 1972 / 73 the Chamber lost two component Presidents in quick succession - Mr. IM Saunders and Mr. CH vd Merwe, due to transfers, which greatly upset the smooth running of the organization. This goes to prove that persons employed by national firms should not be nominated as President as they are liable to be transferred at a moments notice, upsetting the smooth running of any organization.
In 1974 Kroonstad was the venue for the Free State Chambers Regional Congress. Motions debated were inter alia: Price increases, sales without trading licenses and co-op sales to non-members. Mr. I. Goldsmith of Kroonstad, wanting to illustrate the value of effective tourism promotion, quoted the remark of an American tourist visiting Johannesburg: “Your City of Johannesburg is half the size of our cemeteries and twice as dead.”
According to the minutes of the AGM of the Chamber held on 28 May 1975, Mr. A Rautenbach, the Town Clerk was the guest speaker delivering a magnificent speech in which he urged closer co-operation between business people and the municipality and outlined the developments and planning for the future of the town.
1999 - 2000 saw the first lady in the chair of President - Ms. Leda Joubert. In 2001 Mr. Jock Relling was elected as President, a position he is still holding currently.
On 10 November 2003 at an Action Meeting a SWOT analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, threats and the opportunities of Kroonstad was discussed and a development strategy formulated.
On 2 February 2004 Ms. Martie Groenewald was appointed as secretary. On 8 November 2004 the Buy Kroonstad Campaign was relaunched.
At the AGM held 21 February 2005 Mr. Jock Relling was re-elected as President with Vice-President Ms. Sylvia de Gouveia, Treasurer Mr. Johan Geldenhuis and Secretary Ms. Martie Groenewald.
Kroonstad has over 150 years built an outstanding record of development. It is evident that right from the word start way back in 1855 with the inception of the town, the focus was on development - people of the local community, infrastructure and business.
Sover dit besigheid te Kroonstad betref, toon 'n oorsig oor die geskiedenis dat dit hand aan hand geloop het met die wel en weë van die dorp en ook dié van die Vrystaat en Suid- Afrika. Hoewel die Anglo-Boereoorlog en die twee Wêreldoorloë elk hul effek gehad het, het besigheid te Kroonstad en daarmee saam ook die landboubedryf van die distrik, altyd 'n bestendige opwaartse groeikurwe getoon.
The Kroonstad Chamber of Business, or its forerunner, was established in 1910 and since then it has greatly contributed as unified voice for local business to growth and development of Kroonstad. For this I salute the numerous businesspeople over many decades - Afrikaners, Englishspeaking South Africans, Black people and Coloured residents, people of Jewish, Lebanese, Greek, Portuguese, German and other descent, for their dedicated and invaluable contributions.
South Africa and Kroonstad after 1994 presents new challenges and new opportunities. The emphasis is now particularly on local economic development (LED), job creation, economic growth and raising the standard of living of all residents. Consequently in 2004 the Chamber conducted a SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of business and development at Kroonstad in order to identify for us the exact way forward.
Vir meer inligting, is belangstellendes welkom om ons by die Kroonstad Besigheidskamer te skakel. Ons poog om die verenigde en gesaghebbende “stem van besigheid” te Kroonstad te wees.
Ons verwelkom nuwe lede, asook potensiële nuwe beleggings te Kroonstad. Saam kan ons van Kroonstad met sy sentrale ligging en talle sterkpunte een van die sterkste ekonomiese groeipunte in Suid Afrika maak
We at the Chamber firmly believe that for Kroonstad after its excellent first 150 years, the best is yet to come!
With its strategic position within easy reach of the main markets in South Africa, modern infrastructure, rural atmosphere, high level of residents' entrepreneurship and incentives for existing and new businesses and industries, Kroonstad is one of the most attractive establishment centres for commerce and industries in the Free State.
In partnership with the business sector and agriculture, Moqhaka Municipal Council has a strategic plan for Kroonstad and for the Moqhaka municipal area as a whole and which includes inter alia an attractive package of incentives for existing and new businesses and industries.It includes rebates on :
• Land prices
• Water and electricity consumption
• Connection fees for Municipal services
• Administrative, survey and alienation charges
• Building plan fees
• Tariffs in respect of the use of private sidings.
Moreover, adequate land is available to satisfy the needs of all industrialists, from the smaller to the largest.
Land for commercial/industrial development is put up for sale at the approved upset price, but the purchase price is subject to rebates in conformity with the conditional factors calculated in accordance with a points system:
• Should development of the land commence within 12 months after the Council's final decision to alienate the land, the purchase price shall be reduced by 10%.
• Should the business/industry be fully operational within 24 months after Council's final decision to alienate the land, the purchase price shall be reduced by a further 10%.
• For each 10 new permanent work opportunities created within the Moqhaka Municipal Area by a new business or new industry, the purchase price shall be reduced by a further percentage, in accordance with a points system conditionally applied.
• A new business/industry can earn an additional reduction in the purchase price in respect of water and electricity consumption, as conditions apply.
• Should the Municipal valuation of the rateable improvements (equipment excluded) of a new business/industrial development, as valued by the Council's Valuator, amount to at least R500 000, the purchase price shall decrease as conditions apply.
The Moqhaka Municipal Council's consumer-friendly debt control and credit control bylaws incentives for residents and businesses provide amongst others:
• Freezing of interest on arrear accounts where arrangements have been made for settlement of the outstanding debts and payment in full of current amount on monthly basis100% discount on accrued interest for residential properties if outstanding balances are settled within 12 months and the current accounts paid in full every month
• 50% discount on accrued interest for residential properties if outstanding debt is settled within 24 months and the current account is also paid in full every month.
It has been reported in the developmental media that the Moqhaka Local Municipality is considering the recommissioning of the mothballed Kroonstad power station. Currently owned by the Municipality, the idea is to transform the power station into a profitable business unit.
In order to do that, the coal-fired mothballed station will have to be refurbished through a public-private partnership or through the introduction of an independent power producer (IPP). Awards, it seems, depends on providing maximum benefit to the municipality. Expenses to be incurred need to include the purchase of fuel and the cost of overhauling the station. A competitive bidding process is currently underway, with closing date 26 August 2005.
The initiative comes at a time when government and Eskom are in a push to grow South Africa's power capacity by some 1 000 MW a year. Eskom is in the process of recommissioning some of its own mothballed stations. Peaking power is the most urgent requirement in South Africa, with peak demand currently standing at 34 000 MW, while Eskom's installed capacity is 35 000 MW. Government has indicated that 30% of the future generation capacity required in the country, will be commissioned by IPP's, with Eskom producing the remainder.
Having had Kroonstad under the looking-glass for purposes of a business feature like this, the following come to the fore as some developmental challenges facing the town for the future:
· Whereas there is evidently ample entrepreneurial drive in the local business sector to take Kroonstad forward to a next level of development, it is essential that the municipal infrastructure streets, electricity, water, sanitation, general public neatness, etc. be maintained and developed.
· Well-planned and well-executed local economic development projects to alleviate rampant unemployment are direly needed. Through this, the standard of living of the poor sections of the community needs to be raised meaningfully.
· Constructive co-operation between the predominantly white business sector and the predominantly black municipal structure is a prerequisite if Kroonstad is to develope anyway near its potential. Party politics need to take back seat.
· Entrepreneurship from the black community needs to come out much more spontaneously and should not wait on all sorts of governmental interventions and economic empowerment programmes.
· Local beneficiation to agricultural produce from the district needs to be developed and turned into viable business ventures, with job-creating spin-offs.
· Kroonstad has to be marketed much stronger and in a co-ordinated and targeted manner.
If Kroonstad can get its act together, the best in its 150 years history is yet to come.
According to the new vehicle sales statistics for May 2005 released by NAAMSA (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA), new vehicle sales had registered a record with aggregate sales for May 2005 at 45 867 units - an improvement of 11 520 vehicles or 33,5% compared to the 34 347 new vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year. On an aggregate year to date basis new vehicle sales remained 27,1% ahead of the corresponding five months of 2005.
May 2005 new car sales at 30 060 units represented the strongest May performance on record and reflected a gain of 7 749 units or 34,7% compared to the 22 311 new cars sold during May, 2004. The May 2005 new car market had also managed to register an improvement of 2 976 vehicles or 11% compared to the 27 084 new cars sold during the previous month of April, 2005. Year to date sales volumes remained 29,0% ahead of last year's corresponding sales.
Improved stock availability had assisted sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses which at 13 340 units during May, 2005 reflected an improvement of 2 912 vehicles or 28% compared to the 10 421 unit sales in the corresponding month last year. May, 2005 sales had also registered an improvement of 1 883 or 16,4% compared to the previous month of April, 2005.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry had continued to register further remarkable gains and the May, 2005 sales at 1 177 units and 1 290 units, respectively, had recorded a spectacular gain of 570 units or 93,9%, in the case of medium commercials, and 282 units or 27,9%, in the case of heavy commercial vehicles and buses. These figures suggested continued strong positive fixed investment in the transport sector and the broader economy.
According to NAAMSA, the industry's outlook for the balance of 2005 remained fairly positive. The further reduction interest rates during April, stable new vehicle prices, ongoing attractive sales incentives, the introduction of technologically more advanced models with additional features generally at no extra cost to buyers and strong consumer sentiment would continue to support new vehicle sales during the balance of 2005..
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