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GSFA: Group Sex For Amoebas
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Breakfast With Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO, Achmat Dangor |
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www.MyPE.co.za:
Achmat Dangor is an acclaimed writer and activist. He was the founding
executive director of the Kagiso Trust and has held senior positions in
a range of national and international development agencies.
His topic for the morning is the role of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
and what this means for the community of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Date: 8 September 2010
Time: 07:30 for 08:00 until 10:00
Venue: Elizabeth Place, Pickering Park
Cost: R200.00 (excl. VAT)
PERCCI Members price: R180.00 (excl. VAT)
Should you be interested in attending the above event, contact
PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Wednesday, September 01 @ 16:41:09 SAST
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Job Loss Probability in Light of Strikes |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
resultant loss of volume in production for both domestic and
international export markets during NUMSA's 8-day strike which impacted
the motor manufacturing industry heavily in the past week, has caused
significant reputational damage to the industry in South Africa as a
stable production location. "This could have serious repercussions in
terms of our ability to attract future investment going forward,
impacting our global competitiveness," said Kevin Hustler, PERCCI CEO.
He added that as the largest attraction for foreign direct investment,
the motor industry forms the backbone of the Eastern Cape economy and
these types of wage disputes need to be efficiently and effectively
handled.
Local economist, Dr Neal Bruton of RGT
Smart, issued a warning at a
PERCCI
business presentation on Thursday 26 August, saying that any
short-term gains in pay and working conditions resulting from strikes
could be offset by an increase in job losses. "It's all very well to
make demands for an 8.6% increase, but it must be kept in mind that to
make this viable organisations - including the public sector - would
require productivity rates to double. The opposite of being granted big
increases would be the likelihood of more job losses," said Bruton.
The full effects of the strike will only be determined by its length.
As the Chamber promoting economic growth and representing the interests
of the local business community, we sincerely hope that negotiations
will continue and that all parties will come to an understanding,
before going ahead with strike action.
Increase
Your Exposure on MyPE 4 Free | List your 041
business on MyPE.
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| Posted by mype on Saturday, August 28 @ 09:52:54 SAST
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Impact of International, National and Local Economic Trends |
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www.MyPE.co.za:
Empower yourself with knowledge for informed decision-making an get
up-to-date, local insights into the state of the Nelson Mandela Bay
economy with RGTSmart economist Dr Neal Bruton,
author of PERCCI's
monthly Business Confidence Index focused
on the metro. Dr Bruton will
review and analyze the metro's economic performance and present his
projections fine-tuned on the basis of current economic developments.
Sharpen your competitive edge by attending Dr Bruton's presentation and
joining this key group of proactive companies.
Date: Thursday, 26 August 2010
Time: 07:30 for 08:00 – approximately 09:00
Venue: PERCCI Boardroom
Cost: R80 (excl. VAT)
PERCCI Members price R50 (excl. VAT)
RSVP: Maritza on events[at]pechamber.org.za
or Lesley on functions[at]pechamber.org.za
Contact PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Monday, August 23 @ 07:00:00 SAST
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The Michael Jackson Comes to Port Elizabeth |
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www.MyPE.co.za: On
Friday 27 August Michael Jackson will be in Port Elizabeth to deliver
his world renowned presentation on Better Business Rules.
Designed to encourage innovative thinking, this keynote presentation
presents a solid case for thinking and acting differently in order to
generate new behavioural patterns and necessary success in both the
workplace and the marketplace.
"Michael is an incredible speaker. He has an insatiable appetite for
facts and his presentation is certainly thought provoking for business
leaders today. Michael's casual style and humour will no doubt keep the
PE business community riveted to their seats. It is indeed a real treat
to host Michael Jackson in our City". - Jane Stevenson from Jane
Stevenson and Associates.
Once acclaimed by former South African President, Nelson Mandela, as "a
national treasure", Michael has an uncanny ability to connect with his
audiences and is often referred to as a passionate champion of the
cause.
Tom Peters, bestselling author of 'In Search of Excellence' said of
working with him, that "After Michael Jackson, I'm only the second most
enthusiastic person in the room".
Michael Jackson has
carved out his reputation as one of the best
business-to-business speakers on the global professional talk circuit.
He has worked with dozens of the world's leading companies, and has
addressed over 700 conferences and seminars across the globe.
With over 20 years of business experience, his communication and
marketing expertise has been applied by such clients as Dell,
Microsoft, Nike, Nokia, Virgin Atlantic Airways and British Telecom.
Currently Michael edits several magazines, and writes regular monthly
columns for many others including the Journal of Marketing, Property
Professional and Business Traveller Africa.
Date: Friday, 27 August 2010
Time: 07:30 for 08:00 to approximately 10:00
Venue: The Radisson Blu Hotel
Cost: R350 per person (excl. VAT)
PERCCI Member price: R300 per person (excl. VAT)
RSVP: Maritza on events[at]pechamber.org.za
or Lesley on functions[at]pechamber.org.za
Contact PERCCI.
Editors Notes:
- Someone who writes the following on his blog, From 37 000 Feet, gets my vote;
"For now though I'm concerned about fan issues. Lost in the melee
around the tournament itself and the parping of vuvuzelas it appears
that ordinary folks like you and I are simply taking it up the rear for
FIFA's benefit."
- Please note that I left out all references to the other
Michael Jackson, until now! BUT, wait, the other Michael Jackson is
still alive, CLICK HERE to see the Other
Michael Jackson!
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| Posted by mype on Monday, August 16 @ 11:28:09 SAST
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UDDI and PERCCI Present Steve Carver's Business of Winning |
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www.MyPE.co.za: Steve
has the unique gift to be able to transform even the most abstract,
seemingly "lifeless" organisational concepts into subject matter
bursting with creativity, passion and SOUL!
He has inspired numerous organisations to literally turn the way they
previously approached their brand & culture upside down,
resulting in an entirely new, fresh, heartfelt passion and camaraderie
amongst executives and employees!
He has successfully conducted numerous interventions with large
corporations such as Anglo American; Daimler Chrysler , British
American Tobacco, Grant Thornton, Kessel Feinstein, Fisher Hofmann
Sithole, Nedcar, Accenture and Unilever.
Steve Carver and a bunch of his varsity mates were instrumental in
starting South Africa's first 'under the trees' eco-business at
Karatara outside Knysna, Eden Campus.
The key mission of Eden Campus is uplifting young persons from
impoverished, rural communities through education, entrepreneurial
skills and relevant work experience.
Eden Campus focusses on three bottom-line outcomes for students who
have completed the 2-year green business and academics bridging program:
- They are able to apply for and enter a university to
further their education or,
- They are able to get a meaningful job and/or
- They are able to start their own entrepreneurial business
or franchise
Date: Thursday, 19 August 2010
Time: 08:00 for 08:30 – approximately 10:00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park, Ground Floor Central Building
- Conference Room, Jagtvlakte, Industrial Uitenhage, Uitenhage
Cost: R180.00
RSVP: Maritza on events[at]pechamber.org.za
or Lesley on functions[at]pechamber.org.za
Contact PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Monday, August 16 @ 07:47:48 SAST
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Nelson Mandela Metropole Business Confidence Indicator Year-to-Date June 2010 |
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www.MyPE.co.za: For
the three months to June 2010, the PEBCI has largely moved sideways as
the pace of month-on-month growth that characterised the index during
the period after May 2009 has steadily slowed.
Despite the slowing rate of growth, however, it is likely that the
index will continue to be supported by an ongoing slow recovery taking
place in overall levels of economic activity in South Africa and while
rates of economic growth in the country are expected to slow during the
second half of the year, both manufacturing production and retail sales
are currently reflecting year-on-year growth. While the manufacturing
sector remains under pressure with the Kagiso PMI still below 50 in
July, estimated manufacturing production for May 2010 increased by 7,9%
when compared with May 2009 and real retail sales for May 2009 were 4.6
percent up on May 2009. These developments will furthermore continue to
be supported by an already low and, in the short term, probably
declining rate of inflation and ongoing slow improvement in real
household disposable income. Marginal improvement is also occurring in
credit extension to the private sector and while rates of growth are
still at historically low levels credit extension to the private sector
is no longer contracting with May and June data reflecting some
marginal growth. Households, however, remain in difficult circumstances
with ongoing high levels of debt and job shedding continuing with
around two hundred and seventy thousand more jobs having been lost in
the non-agricultural formal sector during the first half of 2010
bringing job losses in this sector since the end of 2008 to nearly
seven hundred thousand. Under these circumstances, while consumer
confidence continued at relatively buoyant levels, both consumer and
business confidence declined during the second quarter of the year.
With regard to the details of the PEBCI, the trend cycles in six of the
sub-indices reflected improvement, six reflected deterioration and
three moved sideways.
The indicators that supported the PEBCI through June included growth in
the trend cycle of new car sales in the metro which continues
reflecting improvement and the trend in the real value of buildings
completed in the Metro which is also reflecting improvement. The trend
cycle in the number of passengers arriving at the PE airport continues
reflecting growth and the PEBCI continues to be supported by a decline
in the trend cycle of local rate of inflation despite the monthly rate
of inflation increasing marginally to five percent in June from 4.9
percent in May. The trend cycle growth in the real value of retail
sales in the Eastern Cape continues reflecting slow recovery and the
trend cycle in the price of gold also assisted the index.
On the downside, the underlying trend in the JSE all share index
continued weakening through June and the PEBCI was negatively
influenced by a deterioration in the level of consumer confidence in
the Eastern Cape during the second quarter of 2010 with the index
falling to 20 from 26 in the first quarter. Furthermore, the trend
cycle in the rand US dollar exchange rate reflected weakness through
May as did the trend cycle of the real value building plans passed in
the Metro. Importantly the trend cycle in the total new vehicle market
appears to have moved into decline from May for the first time since
August 2009 as rates of growth in commercial vehicle sales faltered and
the trend cycle in the real seasonally adjusted value of manufacturing
output also appears to be reflecting some weakness.
The trend cycle of three indicators moved sideways through June, these
included the trend cycle of the prime rate of interest that has
remained unchanged since March, and the trend cycles in the real value
of exports and the real value of imports both of which moved sideways
through June.
Dr Neal Bruton of RGT
Smart Ltd., compiled the PEBCI on behalf of PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Thursday, August 12 @ 16:38:58 SAST
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
Chamber has a new addition to the service organisation in the form of
Ryan Haworth as the new membership consultant. Haworth joins the
Chamber from a marketing background, previously having worked as the
Sales and Marketing Manager for a local wireless ISP.
"My marketing
background will help in developing the PERCCI
brand and
growing the database and I hope to introduce many exciting initiatives
to add value to the membership," said Haworth. Member recruitment,
retention and marketing will be his main focus areas.
Kevin Hustler, PERCCI CEO said that Haworth's strengths will add to the
already strong Chamber team. "We are building a stronger organisation
to increase the value to our members and through appointing dedicated
and passionate individuals, we will achieve our goal," he said.
In addition, advertising sales for PERCCI's monthly business
publication Infocom, has been outsourced to Tanya Fouché of Annalene
van Rooyen Publishers. Tanya's business and networking acumen will
ensure added value to our publication, readers and members.
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| Posted by mype on Wednesday, August 04 @ 09:41:50 SAST
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PERCCI Appoints First Female Office Bearer |
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www.MyPE.co.za: On
Monday 26 July 2010 the PE Regional Chamber of Commerce &
Industry (PERCCI)
Board elected its first female office-bearer, and
added two leading local entrepreneurs to its ranks and strengthening
its representation of small and medium enterprises.
Jane Stevenson, owner
of strategic facilitators Jane
Stevenson
& Associates and partner in Frankly Speaking, a
company that
represents top local speakers and presenters, has been elected as
Deputy President of the Chamber.
"Jane brings her dynamic and inspirational business leadership skills
to the table, along with her organisational leadership experience as a
past chair of the Businesswomen's
Association (BWA) locally, and as a
BWA national Board member," Chamber President Alfred da Costa said.
Bongi Siwisa and Mandla Madwara were elected to the PERCCI Board at the
Chamber's recent AGM.
Siwisa is the
Chairperson of Emfuleni
Resorts - the black empowerment
company owning and managing The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment
World as well as Fish River Sun. In addition, she is also a director of
various companies in the gaming/betting, fishing, energy resources and
and transport sectors including PetroSA and Algoa
Bus Company. "Being
on the Board of PERCCI provides me the opportunity to contribute in
bridging the gap between SMMEs and big business," said Siwisa. She
believes that a viable and reliable SMME base not only increases the
supply basket for corporates, but is needed to grow the economy and is
critical for job creation.
As CEO of Bedevco - a company involved in IT and energy - Mandla
Madwara joins the Chamber with a good base of entrepreneurial business
knowledge and experience. Added to this, he is also chairman of
Zonwabise, a BEE partner with Sun International; vice chairman of BPFA,
a local finance retail company and director of Triangle
Events. "I will
bring my entrepreneurial spirit and vision to the broader business
community and I am ready to work alongside the Board and various task
teams in reaching our shared vision." Madwara also hopes that his
political background will assist in understanding local politicians
with whom the Chamber shares a common vision in taking the city to high
levels of economic growth with quality jobs.
"The Chamber's Board is a group of diverse business leaders who pledge
their time to make a difference to the broader business community in
Nelson Mandela Bay," said Vice President Bryan Dowley.
"We welcome this addition to our collective of business leadership and
networks, and hope all role-players will enjoy their time assisting the
Chamber to play a strategic role in creating an enabling environment
for business in Nelson Mandela Bay," concluded Da Costa.
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| Posted by mype on Monday, July 26 @ 11:56:44 SAST
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NMB on the International Map |
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www.MyPE.co.za:
Hosting the World Cup has put Nelson Mandela Bay on the international
map and given the city's business community a bumper winter holiday
season, PERCCI
CEO Kevin
Hustler said on the eve of Friday's
quarter-final.
The crucial Brazil-Netherlands match is set to be the high point of the
city's World Cup experience and has seen demand for accommodation
soaring and the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium readying to experience its
first full-house.
He said the Chamber had received numerous reports from satisfied
accommodation and hospitality providers, and foreign tourists delighted
by the city's attractions, safety, friendliness and spirited
atmosphere.
Hustler congratulated the municipality and the business community on a
sterling job thus far in hosting the tournament. "The organization has
been slick and efficient, and our fan park is providing a great family
experience for locals and visitors alike, its success reflected in the
third highest attendance figures of all the fan parks in the country,"
he said.
The event has provided great brand exposure for the country and Nelson
Mandela Bay, showcasing our infrastructure, superb tourism facilities,
and proving the nay-sayers wrong by demonstrating South Africans'
can-do attitude, efficiency and friendliness, he said.
"The potential benefits of hosting the event have been hotly debated
and difficult to predict but, now that it is here, the reports of full
accommodation, bustling restaurants, jubilant international fans, and a
vibey fan
fest in St George's Park, confirm the lasting benefit to the
city," he said.
"Business is heartened by the nation-building impact of people from all
backgrounds becoming overnight Bafana fans and avid soccer watchers.
Flags, mirror socks, Bafana shirts abound, and these all contribute to
building our unity and a spirit of togetherness which it is vital to
sustain after the tournament," he said.
He said it was crucial to begin planning to capitalize on the legacy of
the tournament for tourism and investment promotion. Over the next
month, the city is expecting at least three foreign business
delegations, and the success of the World Cup provides the ideal
platform to market the city to these visitors as a viable investment
destination, he said.
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| Posted by mype on Thursday, July 01 @ 12:59:25 SAST
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April 2010 PEBCI Rate of Recovery Slowing |
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www.MyPE.co.za: While
remaining well below the levels achieved during 2005 to 2007, the PEBCI
continues to perform well and reflect growth in line with the higher
than expected rate of growth achieved by the South African economy
during the first quarter of 2010. The rate of month-on-month growth in
the index is, however, slowing.
The rate of growth of the South African economy accelerated to 4.6
percent during the first quarter of 2010, up from the 3.2 percent
achieved in the last quarter of 2009. Encouragingly growth during the
first quarter was relatively well spread across all sectors of the
economy and while led by mining and manufacturing also included signs
that the demand side of the economy is beginning to recover with the
sector wholesale, retail, motor trade and accommodation reflecting
seasonally adjusted and annualised growth of 3.3 percent during the
quarter. Furthermore, supported by low rates of both inflation and
interest real retail sales grew by 1 percent in March, the first time
in over a year that real retail sales have reflected growth on the same
month in the previous year.
Households, however, despite some growth in real disposable income
during the fourth quarter of 2009 that will have continued into the
first quarter of 2010, continue in difficult circumstances carrying
ongoing high levels of debt and being affected by a continued decline
in levels of employment during the first quarter of 2010, a situation
that is reflected in the ongoing contraction in overall credit
extension to the private sector despite some improvement in both
business and consumer sentiment during the first quarter of the year.
Looking ahead as the financial circumstances of households continue to
slowly improve during the course of the year the demand side of the
South African economy is likely to play an increasingly more prominent
role in supporting rates of economic growth. However, while
the economy is likely to be supported through mid-year by World Cup
spending, possible fall out from the European financial crises could
potentially impact growth during the second half of the year.
With regard to the details of the PEBCI, as in the case of the economy
in general, most components are reflecting improvement with fourteen
reflecting underlying trend cycle growth and one moving sideways.
The indicators that supported the PEBCI through March included growth
in the trend cycle of new car sales in the metro which has bottomed out
and moved into a phase of recovery, as has the trend cycle in the total
new vehicle market in the country which is now also reflecting cyclical
growth. The trend cycle in the real value of exports is reflecting
growth, as is the trend cycle in the real value of imports. The trend
cycles in the real value of building plans passed in the Metro and in
the value of buildings completed are also reflecting improvement, and
the trend cycle in passengers arriving at the PE airport has reflected
some improvement. Furthermore the PEBCI was again supported
by a decline in the local rate of inflation falling to 5.0 percent in
April, and trend cycle growth in the real value of retail sales in the
Eastern Cape which is reflecting slow recovery. The underlying trend in
the JSE all share index also supported the PEBCI through April, a
situation that may well be reversed in coming months as a result of the
impact on the financial markets of the financial crisis in Europe. The
PEBCI further benefitted by strong growth in the level of consumer
confidence in the Eastern Cape during the first quarter of 2010 with
the index rising to 26, the highest level since June 2004, from lower
rates if interest and, after some hesitation, a resumption of slow
growth in the trend cycle of the seasonally adjusted value of real
manufacturing sales in the country. The underlying trend cycle in the
price of gold also, once again, reflected growth through April.
The only indicator that did not reflect trend cycle growth through
April was the trend in the Rand US dollar exchange rate which reflected
predominantly sideways movement.

Nelson Mandela Metropole Business Confidence Indicator Year-to-Date
April 2010
Dr Neal Bruton of RGT Smart Ltd, has compiled the
PEBCI on behalf of
PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Friday, June 04 @ 17:59:28 SAST
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Catch up on the Property Barometer |
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www.MyPE.co.za:
PERCCI and Chas Everitt invite you to join FNB Property Economist John
Loos as he dissects the 1st Quarter FNB Property Barometer.
This year has started with a bang leaving no time for contemplation or
reflection. In the property sector, positive household sentiment is
more abundant than ever before. This was seen recently in the FNB
Consumer Confidence Index, and there's significantly more to come in
the next integration of the FNB Property Barometer.
Topics of discussion will
include:
- A focus on the wealth segment
- Trends in the buy-to-let space
- An insight into the burgeoning black buyer market.
This promises to be an indulgent & insightful property
perspective.
Date:
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Time: 07:30
for 08:00 – approximately 10:00
Venue:
PERCCI Boardroom
Cost: R80
(excl. VAT) Members Price: R50 (excl. VAT)
RSVP:
Maritza on events[at]pechamber.org.za
Contact
PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Friday, May 21 @ 12:51:32 SAST
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Tank Farm Stakeholder Briefing |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
Port Elizabeth harbour precinct with its tank farm and manganese ore
terminal is always in the news. Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality,
Mandela
Bay Development Agency and the PE
Regional Chamber of Commerce
& Industry have been working with Transnet to address
the
safety, environmental and health issues and to plan towards an improved
harbour precinct.
Members of the public are invited to attend a public briefing on the
developments and progress made by this partnership to harness the
potential of the Port of Port Elizabeth.
Presentations will be made by Krishna Reddy General Manager: Group
Planning, Transnet
and the municipality (Economic Development portfolio
councillor Annemarie van Jaarsveld). These presentations will be
followed by the opportunity to ask questions.
Date: Friday, 28 May 2010
Time: 10:00 for 10:30 until approximately
12:00
Venue: Goldfields Auditorium, North Campus, NMMU
RSVP: Maritza Beer on events[at]pechamber.org.za
or Lesley Domingo on functions[at]pechamber.org.za
Tel: 041 373 1122 or Fax: 041 373 1142
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| Posted by mype on Monday, May 17 @ 15:15:36 SAST
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Risk Management, Disaster Recovery Planning and Insurance |
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www.MyPE.co.za:
During the early morning hours of Saturday, 17 January 2009, the
Tracker head office in Darrenwood was gutted by a fire that ripped
through the building. The entire office was destroyed within minutes.
But barely 5 hours later, Tracker took its first call and the whole
administration team was fully operational by Monday morning.
WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY DID IT?
PERCCI, Tracker
and The Insurance Institute will present a programme
focusing on the role of Risk Managers, Disaster Recovery Planning and
Insurance in an event of this nature at a breakfast funtion to-morrow
18 May at the Summerstrand Hotel. It will include presentations by the
Tracker team responsible for planning and implementation of the
Disaster Recovery plan.
Cost of the breakfast and attendance is R180.00 for NON PERCCI members
and R150.00 for PERCCI members.
Conact
PERCCI for more info and bookings.
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| Posted by mype on Monday, May 17 @ 14:32:21 SAST
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www.MyPE.co.za: On
Wednesday 12 May 2010, the Annual General Meeting of the Port Elizabeth
Regional Chamber of Commerce was held.
I was going to report on the AGM and it's guest speaker, Transnet group
planning general manager Krish Reddy, in one article but, have been
brimming over with conflicting thoughts so will report on the AGM first.
In complete contrast to some of the other bodies that I belong to, the
PERCCI
AGM is run along strict business lines (one would expect no
less!) and has a certain logical progression that appeals to my
cluttered brain. Read between the words here - the previous sentence is
high praise indeed from one who has made it his life's work to be
somewhat cynical and critical, so well done PERCCI.
Our host and PERCCI CEO, Kevin Hustler did the honours and welcomed
everyone and then drew much unneeded attention to my Soccer Ball
cranium by publically acknowledging the contributions of Leon and I to
the World Cup vibe in Port Elizabeth. Sinking down in my seat with
embarrassment certainly didn't help matters as young Bob Kernohan
gleefully pointed towards my head.
Don't worry Bob, YOU will be one of the first when we start challenging
people to have a Soccer Ball haircut and/or donate a certain sum to
charity!
I couldn't help but notice that the apologies in last years minutes
included ex-Mayor Nondumiso Maphazi, which made me remember Alfred Da
Costa's remarks at the PERCCI Banquet that the metro was 'rudderless'.
Lo and behold it seemed as though someone in the metro listened as
Maphazi was replaced with Mayor Xanoxolo Wayile not long after.
Da Costa called on
business to;
- support the World Cup - stating that it was disturbing to
note that organised business was being asked to assist with selling the
large number of tickets that had remained unsold. Calling on business
to generate spirit around the World Cup, Da Costa said; "We want to be
seen as contributing in a positive manner."
- become Business Activists by adapting attitudes towards
government and not sitting back to wait for government to create an
enabling environment by "holding government accountable and not just
talking about it"
- support Mayor Wayile and his administration, who have not
got off lightly as Da Costa has now stated that as a metro; "we need a
plan, we lack vision and we lack collaboration..." PERRCI President, Da
Costa stated further; "I want to challenge the metro to come up with a
plan and I think our newly appointed Mayor needs assistance."
Alfred Da Costa's full
official speech is reproduced at the end of this
article.
Then it was the turn of PERCCI Treasurer, Greg Bilson to present the
Annual Financial Statements.
In a nutshell - membership subscription income was up, service and
function income was up, interest income was down. Expenses were up less
than the increase in income. An operating loss of R197 397 was
attributable to R200 000 spent on the negotiations around the
relocation of the Manganese Ore and Tank Farm but this was negated by
the movement in reserves leaving a surplus of R178 853 for the year to
31 December 2009.
It certainly appears that the chamber is in healthy financial hands.
The profile of the chamber is slowly changing with many more smaller
businesses joining, which can only be viewed as a healthy state of
affairs especially as auditors PriceWaterhouseCoopers
expressed their
intent to give the annual financial statements an "unqualified audit".
As per King 3 guidelines new auditors, Mazaars,
were appointed.
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| Posted by mype on Friday, May 14 @ 18:04:51 SAST
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PEBCI Rate of Recovery Slowing |
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www.MyPE.co.za: While
the PEBCI continues to reflect economic recovery the rate of growth in
the index appears to have begun slowing, a development that could well
correspond with developments in the broader economy.
While economic recovery internationally has been characterised by
growing demand and escalating commodity prices which in turn have
supported South Africa's export performance and manufacturing sector,
which contributed significantly to a higher than expected level of GDP
growth in the fourth quarter of 2009, the economic stimulus provided to
the economy has yet to be as strongly reflected in the consumption side
of the economy. Key indicators of economic activity such as money
supply growth, growth in credit extension and growth in credit extended
to the private sector remain at historically low levels and the annual
change in real retail sales remained at -1.5 percent in February.
Households remain heavily in debt which together with significant job
losses during 2009 continues to negatively influence the willingness of
households to spend and to utilise credit with the focus remaining on
consolidating and reducing existing levels of debt. Strict bank lending
criteria, while easing, also continue to limit the recovery and the
rate of growth in credit extension to the private sector.
Looking ahead, however, real household disposable income reflected some
recovery during the fourth quarter of 2009, a trend which in all
probability will have continued into the first quarter of 2010, house
prices are growing slowly, the stock exchange has performed well, both
business and consumer confidence has reflected encouraging growth in
the first quarter and the Reserve Bank's leading indictor of economic
activity has grown strongly, all of which auger well for accelerated
recovery in consumption demand in months to come and improved levels of
GDP growth.
With regard to the details of the PEBCI, thirteen components improved,
one reflected decline and one remained unchanged.
The indicators that supported the PEBCI through March included growth
in the trend cycle of new car sales in the metro which has bottomed out
and moved into a phase of recovery, as has the trend cycle in the total
new vehicle market in the country which is now also reflecting cyclical
growth. The trend cycle in the real value of exports, despite the
strength of the rand, is reflecting growth, as is the trend cycle in
the real value of imports. The trend cycles in the real value of
building plans passed in the Metro and in the value of buildings
completed are also reflecting improvement, and the trend cycle in
passengers arriving at the PE airport has reflected some
improvement. Furthermore the PEBCI was supported by a decline
in the local rate of inflation to 5.3 percent in March, and trend cycle
growth in the real value of retail sales in the Eastern Cape which is
beginning to reflect slow recovery. A resumption of growth on the
underlying trend in the JSE all share index and in the rand US dollar
exchange rate also supported the PEBCI through March. Finally the PEBCI
further benefitted by strong growth in the level of consumer confidence
in the Eastern Cape during the first quarter of 2010 with the index
rising to 26, the highest level since June 2004.
The only indicators that reflected trend cycle decline through March
was the trend cycle of the price of gold which eased marginally.
The trend cycle in the real seasonally adjusted value of manufacturing
sales in the country after growing steadily for the past seven months
moved sideways in February.
Dr Neal Bruton of RGT
Smart Ltd., compiled the PEBCI on behalf of
PERCCI.
Source: PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Friday, April 30 @ 16:18:30 SAST
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New Additions to PERCCI Team |
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www.MyPE.co.za: As
the business community evolves, so does the Chamber and its staff. Two
new team members have come on board to increase PERCCI's value-add to
their
membership database of over 700 companies.
Zandile Komanisi will head the SME
& Trade Desk as coordinator,
assisting SME owners and entrepreneurs through training and focusing
their attention on what consumers require from them. Learning and
growth are important values to Zandile who previously worked as
Regional Pricing Official at Absa Home Loans Eastern Cape. She believes
that SMEs are a central theme towards achieving sustainable economic
growth. "They provide a strong foundation for growth of new
industries and strengthen existing ones," she said. Zandile will be
coordinating PERCCI's training programmes dealing with productivity,
quality and competencies for SMMEs, as well as the chamber's SME
Development Task Team. "At times it is easy to sit up and take notice
of what is lacking in a business, however, getting up and taking action
is the most difficult. I want the SME hub to be that vehicle to
transformation - providing the fisherman with a fishing rod and not
just a fish," said Zandile.
Zoe Waters has come on board as
Finance & Administration
Manager. With a strong financial background and as a successful
entrepreneur, Zoe brings a young and dynamic aspect to the Chamber.
Sober Chauffeur, now known as Good Fellas, was her brainchild and she
later sold the business and held the position of financial manager,
while assisting in franchising the company. Since then she has also
opened up scrapbooking shop Scrapaholics and was named as a finalist in
the Businesswomen's Association Regional Achievers Award for emerging
entrepreneurs for this venture. Zoe has now decided to return back to
the corporate world and with her passion for SMEs and forward thinking,
we look forward to an exciting new time.
The Chamber will bid farewell to long-serving financial controller
Karen Smith at the end of March.
Karen has controlled the budgets and
worked with numerous Chamber CEOs and Board members over the past 31
years. We wish her well on her future retirement.
Source: PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Tuesday, March 16 @ 09:59:16 SAST
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Safety, Security and Soccer 2010 |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
PE Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Businesswomen's
Association invite you to attend a Safety, Security and Soccer 2010
briefing by Rory Steyn on Friday 23 April 2010.
Rory Steyn was appointed team leader of President Mandela's personal
protection team, which entailed the protection of the President both
nationally and internationally. He has South Africa's largest executive
protection employer counting Fortune 500 and blue-chip companies among
their clients. Steyn served on the Security Directorate of the Cricket
World Cup 2003 and was responsible for stadium security.
Get into the spirit of "Football Friday" by wearing your favourite
football shirt to the event!
The briefing will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Soccer Stadium
from 7:30 a.m. and is scheduled to finish at 9:00 a.m.
Contact PERCCI
for more info.
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| Posted by mype on Thursday, March 11 @ 09:55:00 SAST
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Derek Watts for Breakfast |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and the Community Chest hosted a
breakfast this morning at which well known TV Investigative journalist,
Derek Watts from Carte Blanche, was the guest speaker.
Community Chest was
established 57 years ago and supports approximately
82 organisations, touching the lives of 280 000 people within the metro
through various initiatives including skills development, job creation
programmes and feeding schemes. Beulah Lumkwana, chief executive
officer, encouraged business to show their support in keeping these
projects running, and to increase their reach.
Derek Watts was invited to talk to the local Port
Elizabeth business community about his work at Carte Blanche
and to share a few inspirational stories that have made an impact on
his life. As a journalist and presenter for one of the country's
biggest investigative journalism shows, Watts has a passion for what he
does and refers to it as an 'addiction'. "Each day is different, and it
drives me quite intensely," he said. He rates meeting various inspiring
people as one of the privileges he's enjoyed through his 22 year career
with the show.
Watts explained that the production of a 10 minute story on Carte
Blanche, can take a few hundred man hours in planning and production.
"No other programme has a higher budget per minute," he added. "Seeing
a response to a story is amazing. The proof to our viewership's
response, is our 20th birthday campaign where we aimed to raise
R20-million towards helping organisations that need assistance. At the
moment, the amount is approximately R67-million." This initiative
towards helping the community is mirrored by the work done by Community
Chest in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The man is tall and certainly a match for "Debbie Pattie" when it comes
to presence. His chequered career from the military to sales to
journalism has no doubt helped him along the way.
I am sure that privately Derek Watts has a wicked sense of humour which
would invariably chop our favourite 'icons' down a notch or twenty - he
started out by saying that he was going to speak "about my favourite
subject, ME!" Although the mark of a good wit is to be self
depreciating which is what Derek was when he observed that some people
refer to Carte Blanche as the "Emmigration Channel!"
I sincerely hope that the assembled dodgy businessmen and their even
more so dodgy government counterparts were NOT listening when Derek
recounted the story of trying to doorstop the owner of 4x4
manufacturer, Rogue Motors - the reaction by the owner of Rogue Motors
was classic. When Derek shoved the microphone in his face and told him
that he was there to discuss the myriad of consumer complaints the
Rogue Motors owner responded by saying; "Derek, how the hell are you my
mate, come inside and we will have some coffee and cake!" BANG - there
went Derek's all important initial guilty reaction that we all expect
his victims to make.
A Port Elizabeth local who was singled out as making a major impression
on Derek was rape survivor, Alison who wrote a book about her
experiences, I Have Life: Alison's Journey.
Derek revealed that they have a high powered legal team to act as their
"censors" and that they are still fighting two legal battles that are
now topping out at a combined R40 Million rand claim against Carte
Blanche. (They better not do any PE Slumlord stories as that is
certain to add to the 'pending' legal action column!).
My Brutally honest
observations:
- The Community Chest DVD presentation
was too long and too depressing - Beulah if you want business to dig
into their pockets please make your presentation full of triumph and
success stories, it is just too difficult to sell disabled people to
the CEO.
- Magnetic Storm had one of their
extremely rare technical glitches - bugger that it had to happen in
front of Derek. Actually he seemed a bit technically challenged as
well, or it could just have been 'extreme tiredness' from being feted
at a loooong dinner the night before!
- By the Way, PERCCI I missed out on a breakfast
Hash Brown - naughty Boardwalk!
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| Posted by mype on Thursday, March 04 @ 17:51:59 SAST
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PERCCI Events in February 2010 |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Comerce holds many events each month
- some are free to attend, some carry an entrance fee. All are an
opportunity for business people to network and expand their skill sets.
- 2 March - Find out how YOU can make a difference in the
fight against climate change. Join PERCCI as they launch the South East
African Climate Consortium (SEACC). The aim of this consortium is to
provide all role-players and stakeholders with the necessary knowledge
in the fight against climate change; a platform to share best practice
and to offer advice to those wanting to improve their business
practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with others who have a
shared vision to conserve the environment. "Sustainability
through knowledge: A consortium to achieve this in the Eastern Cape" Dr
Tony Ribbink
- 3 March - PERCCI and IDC invite you to attend a Business
Breakfast with Guest Speaker Mr. Ufikile Khumalo - Divisional Executive
Resources Sectors on the topic of IDC Funding in Extra Ordinary Times.
- 9 March - Networking Evening at Cherry Place Cafe and
Conference Centre - a chance for fellow chamber members to meet and
unwind.
- 19 March - The PERCCI Health & Wellness Task Team,
1st Quarterly General Meeting. The PERCCI Health & Wellness
Task Team invites you to our 1st Quarterly General Meeting for 2010
which will focus on showcasing best practice in workplace wellness.
Join us in gaining insight into innovative workplace wellness
programmes from the large business winners in the 2009 Health &
Wellness Awards.
- Speakers from: NMBM, Goodyear, General Motors &
Spec Savers. Join us for this informative networking opportunity.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information or to reserve your place contact PERCCI.
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| Posted by mype on Monday, March 01 @ 16:59:01 SAST
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NERSA Tariff Increase Comes at Inappropriate Time |
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www.MyPE.co.za: The
electricity tariff increase approved today by NERSA comes at a time
when business and consumers alike are struggling to recover from the
recent recession and subsequent economic constraints. It is likely to
be a factor in job losses (the SA Chamber of Commerce &
Industry - SACCI - estimates that 250 000 jobs will be lost as a
consequence), as well as inflation, and puts a damper on disposable
income.
Nevertheless, we are pleased to see that due process has been followed
and that NERSA has taken account of the concerns of business and other
stakeholders in approving a lower increase than what Eskom had
requested. The increase is around the level that business had been
anticipating.
The Chamber firmly believes that more needs to be done in managing
demand for electricity, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting
renewable energy generation.
In addition, PERCCI is supportive of exploring and investing in other
avenues of electricity generation such as solar and wind farms. "We
believe that this is the way forward – managing demand for electricity
while also increasing the generation of electricity through sustainable
and renewable sources," said Kevin Hustler, PERCCI chief executive
officer.
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| Posted by mype on Thursday, February 25 @ 15:06:46 SAST
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| | Random Photographs from the MyPE photo Gallery.
Click the photo to see image
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| | Tuesday, January 19 | | · | PERCCI Rejects Proposed Tariff Hikes by Eskom |
| Thursday, December 10 | | · | PEBCI Bottoming Out? |
| Tuesday, December 08 | | · | Coega BPO Park to be Operational in March 2010 |
| Monday, December 07 | | · | Rehau Invests in the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park |
| Sunday, December 06 | | · | Ford Engine Plant Brings Christmas Cheer to Port Elizabeth's Underpriledged Chil |
| Saturday, December 05 | | · | Faurecia Inaugurates new Interior Systems Plant in Uitenhage |
| Friday, December 04 | | · | Grupo Antolino Investment in Uitenhage |
| Thursday, December 03 | | · | Flextech Growing from Strength to Strength |
| Wednesday, December 02 | | · | Benteler Automotive Brings Investment and Jobs to Uitenhage |
| · | Accountants' enterprise development initiative poised for greater financial sust |
| Tuesday, December 01 | | · | Corsa Utility Takes Top Honours in Quality Survey |
| · | Volkswagen of South Africa donates 2 000 soccer kits to disadvantaged children |
| · | Singing to Create Awareness on World Aids Day |
| Monday, November 30 | | · | The Hope Factory to Eventually enrich 800 000 Lives |
| · | GMSA and UTi Scoop Logistics Award |
| · | NMMU Receives Equipment of more than R200 000 from Schneider Electric |
| Thursday, October 08 | | · | VWSA qualifies the First Mechatronics Level 5 students |
| Wednesday, October 07 | | · | Volkswagen of South Africa Taking e-Learning to its Staff |
| · | All Systems go at Port of Ngqura |
| · | New Appointment for GM Africa |
| Friday, October 02 | | · | PEBCI Continues Slow Decline |
| Tuesday, September 22 | | · | Chieta Accreditation for EMC |
| Sunday, September 20 | | · | Human Rights Law Book Launched at NMMU |
| Saturday, September 19 | | · | International Mohair Summit |
| Friday, September 18 | | · | Willowmore Youth Centre |
| · | United in the Fight Against Crime |
| Sunday, August 30 | | · | Steve Koch: Making a Difference in Society |
| · | Business Environmental Conservation Award |
| Saturday, August 22 | | · | Business Match Making Deadline |
| Friday, August 21 | | · | Ford Attains Highest Quality Level |
| Thursday, August 20 | | · | Coega HCS Skilling and Employing the Eastern Cape |
| Wednesday, August 19 | | · | GMSA Saves Resources |
| Thursday, June 25 | | · | Timing of Electricity Price Increase is a Crisis |
| · | Capacity Development Programme Graduates |
| Monday, May 18 | | · | Ngqura Terminal Ship-Shape for October Launch |
| · | Polo Success Story Continues |
| Sunday, May 17 | | · | Port Elizabeth Skyline Change |
| · | GMSA Supports BBBEE |
| Saturday, May 16 | | · | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Leads With Safety |
| Thursday, May 07 | | · | New PERCCI President to be Announced at 14th AGM |
| Wednesday, May 06 | | · | BEE Fundamentals Explained |
| · | PERCCI full-steam-ahead in providing structure for SMEs |
| Monday, May 04 | | · | Wise Spending Key to Survival |
| Wednesday, April 29 | | · | The Hope Factory Runner Up |
| · | Goodyear Wins |
| Tuesday, April 28 | | · | Coega BPO Park Operational in March 2010 |
| · | Volkswagen of South Africa celebrates |
| · | Pick n Pay Explores Energy Security Solutions |
| Monday, April 27 | | · | R1.7 Billion Stadium for Fifa World Cup |
| · | Absa Extends a Helping Hand |
Older Articles
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