As you know GKBC in conjunction with the Sedgefield Ratepayers and Residents Association (SRRA) have been in ongoing discussion with the Knysna Municipality addressing issues affecting businesses in Greater Knysna. One of the main unresolved issues were the drastic increases in certain categories Rates & Taxes. Certain of our members have drawn our attention to their rights to be informed of intended rates increases which is a participative process. We have been referred to a number of decisions by the court which makes it clear that there has to be substantial compliance with the legislative framework before rates can be increased.
Our members have complained that the Knysna Municipality has fallen short of this substantial compliance test. That is the reason why you asked our organisations to engage with the Knysna Municipality before the Municipality is taken to task about their failure to achieve any (substantial) compliance which would just incur the Knysna Municipality in unnecessary costs.
The above was communicated in a letter to the Acting Municipal Manager, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Executive Mayor – the full letter can be found here. Earlier this week an official response was received, confirming the Municipality believes it acted rightfully and fully complied with the legal requirements for budget - and therefore Rates & Taxes' - approvals. Their full response can be found here.
The GKBC and SR&RA are looking at cooperative ways of taking this matter further, which seems to be increasingly difficult. Any suggestions are welcome – email info@gkbc.co.za.
GKBC phone number – save, then join on whatsapp!
Please note GKBC's new dedicated phone number: +27 (0)68 196 6688 and save it in your phone 😊.
You are invited to join either one or both of the following whatsapp groups:
Other pillar or topic related groups may be added as and when the need arrives!
Local Economic Elections – your vote is most important!
Local Economic Elections will take place on the 1st of November. It is important to understand how the electoral voting system works, and what impact your vote can have. The GKBC is finalizing a short series of educational posts to explain the system in more detail.
While the Chamber will always remain a-political, the politics in our town have an almost direct impact on businesses operating here. As such your vote is important and understanding the electoral system is crucial.
Our digital Membership Certificates will be sent out to our paid up members soon. Membership is valid for a year, and starts from the moment payment is received. Certificates will be emailed and can be printed for proud display in your office.
With the certificate you will also receive a 'badge' which can be displayed on your website and (digital) stationary.
Coffee Podium at Mosaic Table – this is what you missed!
Our Coffee Podiums are a great opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow business people in an informal, yet informative way. Our last one was at Mosaic Table in Sedgefield. Several business owners shared what their business entails, and how it can assists others in growing theirs.
Presenters included Russel Kuhn, Mosaic Table Restaurant; Sanjiv Ranchod, Ranchod Consulting; Brent Hicks, Knysna Wayside Inn; Wiseman Litoli, Olembe Construction/Black Business Forum and Elaine Hannah, Mosaic Market.
Visit Knysna's website – how to add and update your tourism product
The www.visitknysna.co.za mobile-first website requires the local tourism product owners in the greater Knysna area to ensure that your product content is current and correct. This requires that each product log into the system to update their content. From the listing on the Visit Knysna website, additional details and reservations required by guests are then referred from this site through the link to your own product website.
Review all the content within the website www.visitknysna.co.za: there are over 120 generic articles of relevance and interest that you can share with your guests. Product information is listed lower in the relevant categories in the ‘load more’ details section. Product offerings rotate each time the website is closed.
All tourism products are encouraged to create login details as follows:
It is the individual product owner's responsibility to ensure:
your content is always up-to-date;
the ‘search tags’ are relevant for your product in order to garner the best benefits from the site’s ‘search’ functionality;
Upload your specials, events, and all happenings that you are responsible for.
Wesgro's latest destination fact sheet – on the Garden Route
This destination sector fact sheet provides key trade and investment related statistics for the Garden Route District Municipality. Specifically, it shows the Garden Route district’s area, population, employment, trade, investment, and tourism trends with the rest of the world.
Did you know Knysna contributes just over 10% to the Garden Route's GVA? And that tourism visitors to the Garden Route decreased by over 60% in 2020, compared to the year prior? These and other economic facts can be found here.
Tourism and hospitality in a vaccinated world – tomorrow!
Tourism has been severely impacted by COVID-19, but vaccinations and the easing of travel restrictions mean there is light at the end of the tunnel.
How will these impending changes impact tourism in South Africa?
To answer this question, ENSafrica has arranged a webinar together with WESGRO, the official tourism, trade, investment, and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape.
Join the webinar to hear insights into topics such as:
how has COVID-19 affected the tourism industry in the Western Cape?
what are the international trends in relation to vaccination policies and vaccination passports?
are there any plans for these to be implemented in South Africa?
what guidelines are there for employers in South Africa in relation to vaccination policies?
are there human rights arguments against mandatory vaccination?
lifting of travel bans and tourists’ perspectives on travel to South Africa
how can we make the Western Cape attractive for overseas tourists?
The esteemed panel, which will be moderated by ENSafrica Executive Tracy van Wyk, includes the following experts:
Esti Brand | Senior Associate in Dispute Resolution at ENSafrica
Lauren Salt | Executive in Employment at ENSafrica
Monika Iuel | Chief Marketing Officer at WESGRO
Stephan Gotta | Trade Training Specialist in the South Africa Tourism Office in Germany
Registrations will close TODAY, WED 13 October 2021.
Eskom business competition – for young entrepreneurs
Eskom’s annual Business Investment Competition (BIC) is open for entries from 30 August 2021 and closes at midnight on 31 October, 2021. This will be followed by a two-day entrepreneurship capacity building and networking event “Business Connect” for those who enter the BIC. This year, as many young black entrepreneurs as possible with registered businesses that are two years or older are encouraged to participate.
Read the full media release including how to enter online here.
MEMBERS' NOTICES
This section of our newsletter is for short, quick notices, unverified, yet possibly useful to our readership. Only paid up members will be able to post, free of charge (for now…).
Send your notice to info@gkbc.co.za to be included in our next newsletter.
Africa Skills College – Knysna Campus open day October 22 & 23: to see what studying at Africa Skills entails. Bookings are essential: 044 884 0791/ info@africaskills.co.za / www.africaskills.co.za
Join SANParks Honorary Rangers for a scenic round of golf on the prestigious Pezula Championship Golf Course THIS SATURDAY October 17, 2021. Shotgun 12h00, 2ball betterball. R600 p.p. include entry, shared cart, welcome drinks, snacks and terrific prizes.
Contact Sabine on 079 473 9705 or pezulagolfday@gmx.com to book.
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
Directors: Pierre Gouws (Chair) | Richard Sohn (Vice) | Andries Fourie (Treasurer) | Evelyn Pepler |
Elmay Bouwer | Mark Sofianos | Chris Schutte | Hermann Kapp | Martin Hansson | Clifford Elion | Megan Taplin | Office Administrator: Ypie Kingma
