ROCCI welcomes “Roodepoort stays under Johannesburg"

The Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Rocci) is relieved at the Dept. of  Local Government’s decision to maintain Roodepoort as part of Johannesburg and not to have it incorporated into the newly envisaged West Rand Metro, which would include towns such as Westonaria,Carltonville,Randfontein and Mogale City.

 

Now that this is settled ROCCI calls on the Johannesburg Metro  to ensure infra-structure development in the Roodepoort area  is hastened, so that it complements the growth and development of Johannesburg as a ‘truly first class African city.

 

What are these infrastructure developments we speak about that will lead to the creation of employment and growth. :-

 

• The upgrading and consolidation of all informal settlements 

 

• The possible creation of a second Cosmos City in reducing informal settlement

 

• The implementation of the City Improvement District concept to Florida and Roodepoort CBD’s for self-sustenance

 

• The improvement of road surfaces and road signage – the latter especially pertinent to Ontdekkers where directional signs are so faded that it cannot be read

 

• The creation of a’ Small Business’ Business Park especially for the manufacturing sector with a bias towards the eagerly awaited beneficiation sector.

 

Article done by: Mr. Roy Panday

Tourism in The West Rand

The West Rand of Johannesburg is well known as an industrial hub, and in the last decade has increased its business capacity to the point where it now has a booming trade and development infrastructure.

 

A large part of this increase in exposure has come from the tourism industry, which has also grown on the West Rand over the past few years. The region plays host to a number of important sites and opportunities in the field of tourism, such as the world-renowned Cradle of Humankind, situated only 50km away from Northwest Johannesburg. The Cradle contains countless wonders, including lodges, weekend retreat opportunities, caves to be explored, authentic South African restaurants, wildlife reserves, hiking trails and various other adventurous activities.

 

Around the Cradle of Humankind, and in the heart of the West of Johannesburg, you can cater for almost any need. Conference venues at the various hotels, resorts and business parks allow for business meetings, whether large or small. Team building exercises are as exciting as ever, since there are countless activities hidden away, if you look hard enough. Everything from Bungee Jumping, hiking trails. Game drives and weekend retreats to hot air balloon rides.

 

The Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce (ROCCI) is one of the biggest Chambers in South Africa, and is comprised of over 100 businesses in the Roodepoort area in Johannesburg. Contact ROCCI on (+27) 86 111 3304, send an e-mail for additional information, or visit the ROCCI website to find out more about what is on offer, or how it would benefit you to be a part of this ever-growing inter-business network.

 

ROCCI on Coal 3 in addition to Kusile and Medupi

 

Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba’s allusion to a third coal fired power station, whilst sure to raise controversy, heated debates and the ire of the green economists has to be seen in context of SA’s reality.

With both power stations only coming on line by soonest 2014 with the possibility of a further delay, it in no ways alleviates our current tightness of electricity supply to the state of self-sufficiency.

Coal power given the country’s rich resources still remains the cheapest source of energy and therefore the suggestion to build Coal 3 is both timely and visionary.

Nuclear power has its own challenges in respect of risks and costs and current plans to build 3 new nuclear plants by 2029 will bring us back to the 2008/9 era of outages due to demand.

The potential of Shale gas supplementing our energy grid is also a long way off in the horizon.

It is for these reasons that the Chamber welcomes and supports Government on any move to ensure the continuity of electricity supply to meet its immediate and future needs.

ROCCI however cautions Government not to burden the ‘already overburdened tax payer’ with  carrying the costs of Coal 3 in line with the user pay principle, so articulated by Eskom in recent years in disguise of its Build programme requirements.

The tax payer pays its fair share of tax in expectation that in return it will receive the basis services required of its government which includes Electricity.

Any new build programme must be funded by the Government by raising loans and bonds against such capital investment. The consumer is liable for what he or she consumes and adjusted annually as per the CPIX.

Eskom has demonstrated clearly that it does not ‘believe in presenting a forward budget for the revenue collected. What we see and get instead are massive staff parties and bonuses paid to its directors.

Business says Enough is Enough and Government should take heed.

Article done by: Mr. Roy Panday

 Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ROCCI)

Tel:  086 111 3304