Copy
View this email in your browser
While tomorrow's AGM is high on the agenda - so to speak - there is a lot which happened over the last two weeks.  In this edition:

AGM – TOMORROW 25 November, Knysna Hollow        
AHi awards – GKBC wins Special Directors' Award
SACCI Council – GKBC represents Western Cape
Council, Speaker, Mayor and Deputy Mayor inaugurated – congrats!
Membership Certificates – all out! 
Channel markers – ongoing support for one of Knysna's biggest assets needed
Knysna Education Trust – golf day!
Shine a little light - #Knysnalights
Knysna Municipality – tenders out
AHi – business support for start-ups and SMME's
Remote work – making it work
SACCI/ENSafrica - Business Management Series
Looking for funding? – speak to the universe!
Members' Notices
GREATER KNYSNA BUSINESS CHAMBER NEWS
AGM – TOMORROW 25 November, Knysna Hollow        

Notifications were sent out to our members by email and on our social media channels.  The AGM will be taking place TOMORROW Thursday November 25 at Knysna Hollow Country Estate, 17h00 for 17h30 – 18h30. 

You can still register to attend via whatsapp/phone on 068 196 6688 or by email on info@gkbc.co.za so we can send you all relevant docs.  The AGM will also be livestreamed via MSTeams for those who prefer to attend online.  Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Cash bar will be open after the AGM.  Looking forward to seeing you all there: your voice and vote is important!
AHi awards – GKBC wins Special Directors' Award

The Greater Knysna Business Chamber is extremely proud and honoured to have received the Special Directors' Award in the AHi's annual business awards.  Business chambers, small businesses, small farmers and hospitality businesses from across South Africa were rewarded with a prestigious award for dynamic businesspeople during a live virtual awards event on Friday, 12 November.

It is the first time this Special Directors' Award has been awarded.  In its announcement, Vice Chair of AHi, Albert Geldenhuys commented on the challenging times during hard lockdown which was soon after the Greater Knysna Business Chamber was officially launched in 2019.  During this time over 140 small business owners received food parcels co-sponsored by local business.  Geldenhuys further commended the Chamber on building a constructive relationship with the Knysna Municipality, to address and possibly solve issues which create challenges for businesses in Greater Knysna. 

Mention was made of the Chamber's focus on safety and security as well as the screening of the water safety in the Knysna Estuary as joint initiatives with other organizations in town.

See also the Knysna Plett Herald 
Dr. Willie Cilliers (AHi) hands over the awards certificate to Chairperson Pierre Gouws.
SACCI Council – GKBC represents Western Cape

SACCI, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recently held its AGM online.  SACCI represents the business interests by influencing policy and legislative development and regulation on a national level.  Much like GKBC engages with local government, SACCI engages national government and legislatures or regulators particularly when legislation would not be conducive to its members or the economy in general. 

The Greater Knysna Business Chamber has recently been voted into the Council, advising the SACCI Board, as the representative for the Western Cape.  SACCI is also the issuing agency for Certificates of Origin, which accompany all exports.  Once training has been completed GKBC will also be qualified to issue those certificates.  We will keep you posted!
Council, Speaker, Mayor and Deputy Mayor inaugurated – congrats!

The Greater Knysna Business Chamber congratulates Executive Mayor Levael Davis, Executive Deputy Mayor Mark Willemse, Speaker Julie Lopes and all Councillors with their new positions in Council. 

A special 'shout out' to ex-Board Director Jason White, who at 23 is the youngest Councillor ever in the Knysna Municipality.  We wish all lots of wisdom and tenacity in pursuing a better Knysna for all.  We look forward to our future engagements.
Membership Certificates – all out! 

All current paid up members will have received their Membership Certificates by now.  Membership is valid for a year, from the moment of payment received.  Join the Chamber from as little as R250 for the year for companies with up to 5 permanent employees.  Download our Membership Application form and let your business voice be heard too!  Certificates will be emailed and can be printed for proud display in your office while 'badges' can added to your email signature and/or on your company's website.
MEMBER APPLICATION FORM
Channel markers – ongoing support for Knysna's biggest asset needed
 
SANParks is upgrading the buoys marking the channel in the Knysna Estuary and you / your business can be part of this!  The estuary is a highly valuable asset on every level of the economy in Knysna, and as such the Greater Knysna Business Chamber endorses this project.  Please support!
By having these new safe water markers installed, the Knysna Estuary will be at the forefront of vessel safety markers in the country and could potentially increase foreign vessels entering the Estuary.  It will also be rolled out as the South African standard for all inland bodies of water under the auspices of SAMSA’s safety regulations.

Potential donors/sponsors will have their/company name listed on a notice board at primary access points onto the Knysna Estuary.  Donors can contribute to the project for the installation of each of the 29 centre channel safe water markers.  Phase 2 funding will allow the channel markers to be fixed to existing moorings until funding for new moorings can be achieved. 

There is more to it: read the full information document here.
Knysna Education Trust – golf day!
 
The Knysna Education Trust is holding its annual golf day on the 3rd of December.  There are still a few holes available for sponsorship – an excellent cause worth supporting and a 'target audience' which could benefit your company. 

Contact general.manager@knysnaedutrust.co.za or Gina Nell on ginalee.nell@icloud.com or call 071 890 1160 / 082 457 8067 to chat about sponsor options.
Shine a little light - #Knysnalights

Christmas is traditionally associated with light, and the GKBC proudly supports the #Knysnalights initiative as initiated by the #knysnaartproject and Revive Knysna.  Supporting local business in the process is always a good thing!
INDUSTRY NEWS AND UPDATES
Knysna Municipality – tenders out

The following tenders have recently come out:
  • Provision of Tourism Service: Tourism or Related Festival and Events Development, Attraction, Coordination and Promotion (click for Advert and Tender Document);
  • Provision of Tourism Service: Local Tourism Office (Advert and Tender Document).
The GKBC is currently formulating a response regarding procedures followed.   
 
Several developmental tenders can also be found on the Knysna Municipality's tenders page; click on 'Current Tenders.'
TRAINING AND FUNDING
AHi – business support for start-ups and SMME's

The GKBC is proud member of the AHi which focuses on supporting startups and SMME's.  During last week's AGM the website myahi.co.za was officially launched.  It offers a wealth of information in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa including training and support on how to start or grow your business. 
Remote work – making it work

On the back of the pandemic-induced lockdown measures, widespread remote work advanced beyond its infancy stage. But how ready are we to optimise the best related working-from anywhere practices?  

Sedgefield based Dr Andrew J. Brough of the Henley Business School Africa wrote a paper on it and has kindly offered to share it with our members.  You can download it here.
SACCI/ENSafrica Business Management Series

The below invitation is extended through SACCI (South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry):
In collaboration with ENSafrica, SACCI is hosting a new Business Management Series from 16 November 2021 – 8 December 2021.
 
Following receipt of your RSVP, a link to the relevant webinar will be emailed to you.
 
Date Topic Presenter
30th November Tax Refunds Simon Weber
8th December Remedies for Breach of Business Contracts Beverley Oosthuizen

RSVP: Tshidin@sacci.org.za – please indicate which webinar(s) you would like to attend.
Looking for funding? – speak to the universe!

It may feel daunting to start your business and then find funding to make your dream happen.  There is a universe of opportunities out there, and the sky is literally the limit.  Not sure where to start or how to approach potential funders? 

The Hitchhiker's guide to funding readiness for SMME's is a handy guide taking you through this whole process and can be downloaded here.  Finding your way in the galaxy has never been easier!
 
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…).
TEA TIME AT BELVIDERE MANOR: every Wednesday from 2pm.  Delicious savoury and sweet selection at R125 p.p.  RSVP essential: 064 863 4664.
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Email
Instagram
LinkedIn
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






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Greater Knysna Business Chamber · Greater Knysna Business Chamber · Knysna, WC 6570 · South Africa

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp