Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Spot Coverage >> 23 Janaury 2007
Trade deficit for South Africa: According to figures from Customs & Excise, South Africa recorded a worse than expected deficit of R10,513 billion for its trade with non-Southern African Customs Union trading partners in November 2006. This follows a surprise deficit of R12,943 billion in October and a deficit of just R175 million in September last year. The biggest previous deficit was in January 2006 at R7,668 billion.
New BBBEE codes due soon: The new codes for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) are expected to be published in the Government Gazette by the end of this month. The codes exempt businesses with annual turnovers of less than R5 million from meeting empowerment requirements, making this class of company immediately BEE compliant when applying for government contracts. The biggest change relates to increased flexibility for medium-sized firms, allowing companies with turnovers of between R5 million and R35 million a year to select to comply with four of the seven balanced scorecard criteria – previously the threshold had been set at R25 million.
Petra Diamante neem Koffiefontein-myn oor: Die onderneming Petra Diamante het met De Beers ooreengekom om die Koffiefontein-myn vir R81,9 miljoen te koop. Petra wat op die Londonse AIM Beurs genoteer is, het intussen aansoek gedoen by die Dept. van Minerale en Energie om 'n mynlisensie. Die oornameprys sluit in R80 miljoen vir die herwinningsverpligtinge t.o.v. die myn, asook R1,9 miljoen kontant aan De Beers. Volgens Petra is die maatskappy van voorneme om so spoedig vanjaar met die ontgunning van diamante te begin.
National growth forecasts: According to a newsflash by SACOB economic growth comparisons for 2007 (GDP percentage change over 2006) among 25 emerging markets shows South Africa with a growth of 2.4%, compared with 9.4% for China, 7.4% for India, 6.5 % for Russia and 3.3% for Brazil.
Plaasveiligheid krisisafmetinge: Volgens inligting van Vrystaat Landbou is altesaam 55 plaasmense sedert 2000 in aanvalle op Vrystaatse plase vermoor. Hiervan was agt in 2005 en 18 in 2006. Teen hierdie agtergrond gaan na berig word die SA Weermag einde vandeesmaand aan die Vrystaatse grens met Lesotho onttrek word. Dit sou slegs sowat 74 polisielede oorlaat om 'n grens van 500 km tussen die twee lande te patroleer. Volgens VL het kommunikasie met adj. Pres. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka en Premier Beatrice Marshoff, asook met die Vrystaatse Dept. van Veiligheid en Sekuriteit, doodgeloop.
Tourism and 2010: Match - an agency of FIFA – is responsible for the signing up of tourism businesses intending to provide accommodation. All graded businesses are eligible. Prospective suppliers may contact the Dept of Environment & Tourism (Lisa-Ann Hosking) at lhosking@deat.gov.za or phone (012) 310 3746 for information.
Mobile fees and charges: In Government Gazette 29457 of 15 December 2006 the findings (1 page) of an ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of SA) investigation into a complaint over the high costs of mobile communication services in South Africa are set out. In short ICASA believes that the 'CPI cap' criterion used in the tariff setting process is flawed. The adequacy of competition within the market segments of the electronic communications sector will be the subject of a discussion document before the end of January 2007 for public comment.
Matjhabeng water debt R39 million: It is reported that the amount owed by Matjhabeng Local Municipality for water obtained from Sedibeng Water stands at present at more than R39 million. According to Sedibeng Water, they are in the process of engaging with Matjhabeng to resolve the situation so that the region's water supply is not cut off. If Sedibeng Water cuts Matjhabeng water, some 500 000 residents will be affected.
In an interview with the editor of the Free State Business Bulletin, Dr. Johann Dannhauser, the MEC for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, Mr. Neo Masithele, touched upon some latest developments on a number of economic and development issues, outlining at the same time visions for 2007. In the interview Masithele remarked as follows on the following issues:
General way forward: “The Free State Provincial Government and the Dept. of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs in particular is committed to continue in 2007 where it left off in 2006, namely to implement programmes aimed at targeted reduction of poverty and unemployment levels in the province. The aim is to create a prosperous Free State through sustainable economic development and to bring about a healthy environment for all.”
Economic development: “In order to create sustainable economic development, it is imperative to broaden the economic participation by all the people of the Free State and to bring the previously disadvantaged into the main stream. For this purpose, the various industry charters as prescribed by national government are to be implemented. Therefore the business sector has a key role to play.”
Gambling industry in the Free State: “The Free State has four casino licenses to issue, three of which have already been allocated, namely Bloemfontein, Welkom and Bethlehem. The fourth is earmarked for the Fezile Dabi district – where exactly, is still to be determined. It is necessary that the allocation of the casino license in that district must tie in with economic developmental planning for the whole district, such as that for the Vredefort Dome Area, the Northern Free State Wine Route, the Lizard Point Golf & Sports Estate near Oranjeville, the refurbishment of Koppies Dam facilities, etc.
“Apart from the casinos, the roll-out of the Limited Pay-out Machines project (LPM's), i.e. gambling machines, is to commence this year. Provision is made for 1 000 machines per so-called route, for a total of four routes. This year only two routes are to be implemented. An entrepreneur can buy a LPM at about R80 000 and operates it under the auspices and control of the Free State Gambling Board.
“It is imperative to note that the whole gambling industry falls under the Free State Gambling Board, which is regulating the industry very tightly.
“As for the LPM's, they are also electronically linked to the administrative system of the Gambling Board, which monitors all transactions. About 30% of the revenue of LPM's goes for provincial government tax.
“All enquiries concerning LPM's should be directed to the Free State Gambling Board.”
Integrated economic development: “It is of cardinal importance that an integrated approach to economic development in the Free State be followed. For instance, the kind of integrated planning I mentioned earlier with regard to Fezile Dabi district, must be applied throughout the province in also the other four districts.
“The detailed policies for economic development are being formulated through the Provincial Economic, Employment and Investment Cluster chaired by me and functioning under the Executive Council chaired by the Premier. The outcome of these policies is at present documented in the revised Free State Growth and Development Strategy (FSGDS).
“The latter again is in tandem with the Spatial Development Framework as managed by the Dept. of Local Government & Housing, which in turn links up with the IDP's of municipalities as applicable.
“Integrated economic planning is also being aligned with targets such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the 2012 centenary
celebrations of the ANC in Bloemfontein, and the national government's vision for 2014.
“In this planning, stakeholders and think-tanks such as the University of the Free State, the Centre for Development Support, the CUT, etc. are also being involved.
“We are also bringing our international trade contracts, such as with Germany, China, the USA, the Arab Emirates, Cuba, etc. into this integrated fold. China for example has made proposals to the Free State Government for the establishment of a cement factory, while we are negotiating with a Chinese car manufacturer to establish their SA assembly plant in the Free State.
“All economic planning and implementation should fit in with the central plan for the province, within the process the various strong and weak points of the five districts complementing and supporting each other.”
Harrismith Logistical Hub: “It is a given and is currently being rolled out. I have liaised with the relevant MEC's of Gauteng and KZN to actively support and help servicing the hub. We are also continuously liaising with Transnet, Portnet and the transport industry. I have also had talks with the Indian Consul-General. The position for project manager for the hub is currently being advertised.”
Proposed Welkom cargo airport: “The debate on a dedicated cargo airport at Welkom has been officially re-opened. The possibility was earlier turned down on national level because of inter alia security reasons – the ports of entry into the country are to be narrowed down. However, it is my opinion that if our systems in the Free State are correct and in place, the idea will fly.”
SMME's in the Free State: “The development of the SMME sector in the province needs to be coordinated by the FDC, especially in order to avoid duplication of functions and of applications for assistance. Therefore the FDC is currently being restructured to get rid of its non-core functions and to focus on its main mandate.
“In my budget speech last year, R79 million was allocated to the FDC, while later in the year ABSA put R50 million on the table for SMME's. At present we are negotiating with Standard Bank and FNB. However, all these contributions must be under the auspices of the FDC.
“According to an assessment in January 2006, SMME's in the Free State get only about 30% of the procurement cake in the province. The vision is to increase this to 70% by 2014 and the way to reach it is first of all to create a single database for all businesses in the Free State. We are working on this.”
Communication between private and public sectors: “Last year we held meetings with selected sectors of the business community, inter alia at Ladybrand, Bethlehem, Sasolburg, Trompsburg, etc. We are listening to business people specifically. In this we focus on specific sectors, such as tourism, SMME's, etc.”
“This year we are scheduling the game industry and also organizations such as chambers of business.”
Free State Investment and Promotion Agency: “This agency has been established late 2006 and the members of the board appointed. The agency is to be officially launched in February 2007.”
Upgrading of resorts and reserves: “Resorts and reserves belonging to the provincial government are in a process of being upgraded, especially with a view to 2010. Already Philip Sanders near Bloemfontein has been upgraded to the tune of R30 million. A public competition is to be run for a new name for the Philip Sanders Resort.
“Further upgrading of resorts and reserves is to be provided for in my budget speech this year to the
Legislature.
“We are also considering public-private partnerships in the development of our resorts and reserves and are currently assessing proposals received.”
Free State Tourism Authority: “It is up and running and is to go full steam this year.”
Liquor industry: “The new Free State Liquor Act is to be promulgated in February this year, establishing the Free State Liquor Board as an autonomous body outside my Department, thus positioning itself to regulate the liquor industry in the province much more effectively. The Department cannot be referee and player at the same time.
“This will bring to five the number of autonomous public entities reporting to the Dept. of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, viz. the FDC, the Gambling Board, the FS Tourism Authority, the Investment and Promotion Agency and the Liquor Authority.”
From 17-21 December 2006 the Chairperson of FSTA, Mr. Quinten Eister and the CEO Ms. Phomolo Mokuele, on invitation visited the two German provinces of Saxony and Saxony Anhalt, to discuss tourism cooperation with the Free State. Both these provinces are, like the Free State, rural in character, agriculturally based and culturally orientated. During the visit a South African Cultural Evening in Leipzig was inter alia attended, while relationships have been established with the tourism authorities of the two provinces. A German tourism marketing officer is to visit the Free State next month, while further ties are to be cemented when FSTA participates in the ITB Tourism Exhibition in Berlin in March 2007 as part of the Tourism SA stand. The purpose with the German connection is to get the large number of German pensioners, who retire relatively early in life, to visit specifically the Free State in numbers during the coming European winter months December / January. The visits are to be so structured that all five regions in the Free State should benefit and also specifically HDI's. It is envisaged that only after about three months of the current planning process should an idea be obtained of actual numbers as regards the prospective German tourism market for the Free State.
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) welcomed its new first-year students at the beginning of the new academic year during the official opening ceremony on Saturday, 13 January 2007. In his welcoming address the CUT's new principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, encouraged students to live their family values to the best during their studying careers. He said although the students have entered a new phase in their lives, they still represent their families, schools and communities. Mthembu said that the CUT strives towards integrity, innovation and excellence and that the students' values must meet those of the CUT. His message to the parents was that the CUT provides a secure environment and that the university is committed to contribute to every student's learning experience, by offering learning programmes with an extensive focus on science, engineering and technology, a cut above the rest.
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