MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY CHAMBER MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY
18 SEPTEMBER 2003 AT 17H30 IN THE ESKOM BOARDROOM

Present

WELCOME / APOLOGIES

The president welcomed all present and extended a special welcome to those members attending the meeting for the first time.

Thys Brits of Digicore Fleet Management and Maggie Khun.

2

MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES 21 AUGUST 2003

Matters arising, to be discussed under the agenda. The minutes were accepted proposed by AK and seconded by M Dreyer.

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FEEDBACK (PORTFOLIOS)

• Education & Training

  Elsa Phillips urged business people to return the completed Required Skills Training form which was sent out by the chamber office. This is to ensure that the colleges in our area offer suitable courses for the required skills.

  Not enough businesses send their employees for training at Vuselela College. By doing so they can claim the course fees back through their SETA. This will ensure motivated and suitably qualified staff.
  
  Elsa requested that business people take in students during holidays and afternoons. These students are prepared to work without compensation in order to gain practical experience. A list of required staff may be submitted to the chamber office that will forward it to the college.

  Elsa mentioned the problem that teachers face who are being re-deployed and have to go where they are placed. The government are also bringing in teachers from England and Whales. The chamber will take this matter up with Sacob, as there are many qualified teachers in our country who could rather be re-employed. The question arises of how many teachers are going to be brought in, what will they be paid compared to our teachers and what is the reasons for bringing them here. Will they be able to speak and teach the same English or better than our teachers?

• Safety & Security
  
  Inspector Koloane of the Sector Policing Forum reported on some crime statistics.
  
  Director Dees Govender who was invited by the president, commented that people are still extremely negligent by leaving car doors unlocked and property within clear view inside cars, which results in theft out of motor vehicles. This is the biggest problem and reflects an increase of 28%.
  
  Director Govender said that there is good co-operation between the police and Cectronics Security Services. Ferdi van Niekerk of Cectronics said that they have a 24-hour help line available for crime reporting. He also mentioned that one of their security officers; Wynand Kriek, has been delegated to attend the monthly Community Policing Forum meetings and report back will be given at our monthly meeting.
  
  Crime in the CBD, Jan. to Aug. 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 reflects a decrease as follows:
  Robberies (common and aggravating) -0,06%
  Housebreaking (business and residential) -16,9%
  Theft of motor vehicles decreased by 19%.
  
  He urged the public to report all crime; the police needs to know, as this will ensure that they are pro-active. People should be alert and safety conscious. Of great concern is the theft of cell phones in the CBD. As many as 10 cell phones, are reported stolen per day. The police are aware that some people report their cell phones stolen only to claim a new cell phone from their insurance.
  
  He pointed out that 300 to 400 people visit the (CFC) community service centre daily, mainly for the certification of documents. Other state departments can easily render this service, resulting in more time for the officers to take down comprehensive statements, and serving the public better. As much as 8 people work in the CSC during peak times. These people can be deployed more effectively in preventing crime. He made a plea to other state departments and businesses that have commissioners of oath, to render this service. AK undertook to take this matter up with the IGF (inter government forum).
  
  Serious crime decreased by 10 - 12% during 2001 - 2003 compared to 1998 - 2000. During the period 1998 - 2000, 850 cases of serious crime were recorded per month compared to 2001 - 2003 where an average of 750 serious crimes were recorded. During the same period of comparison the arrests increased from 100 to 300 per month to between 400 and 900 arrests per month.
  
  He expressed his sincere gratitude to various sponsors and especially "Something Fishy", who sponsors the various police units on a continuous basis.
  
  Director Govender expressed grave concern about the fact that 75% of their budget for the financial year had to be spent on the weekend of the Street Festival. The celebrations that preceded and succeeded the Street Festival can be likened to 'Conan the Barbarian' of the early century, where drinking resulted in mayhem and chaos. It is unacceptable that nearly every time we have the Street Festival, a person is murdered over that weekend. 20 Serious crimes were reported including murder. In the CBD more than 60 cases of crime were reported. The number of people being arrested for drunkenness, disorderly behaviour, gambling and other crime; keeps the entire Klerksdorp police service busy during that weekend. The criminals take this opportunity to go and commit crime in the suburbs. He recommended that the organisers of the Street Festival, as a family event, should distance themselves from the activities that are planned for the Friday and Saturday night.
  
  The president suggested that we request the organisers of the Street Festival to come and address us at our next monthly meeting. RG
  
  Another grave concern is the Matric Farewell functions. There are usually a number of accidents, which occur after these functions. It is not the function itself but the after parties that are held, which creates the problem. He was at an accident scene during a recent weekend where most of the pupils who rushed to the scene of the accident were drunk. The occupants of the vehicle were covered in blood and seriously injured, therefore it could not be established at the time whether they had been drinking. He urged parents, teachers, principals and pupils to give serious consideration to the situation. To pupils: "is it worth it when you are at the pinnacle of your life, about to matriculate and you decide to indulge yourself and an accident destroys all your dreams"?
  
  He concluded by emphasizing the commitment of the Klerksdorp police service is proudly at our service for safety and security.
  

• City Council

  AK notified the meeting of upcoming events:
  24 - 26 September - Aardklop - Potchefstroom.
  30 September - Tourism awareness day at Goudkoppie
  Programme was sent out to members by the chamber office.
  8 October Business Stakeholders presentation 17h00
  17 October - Youth Summit -
  31 October - Mayoral Banquet - Banquet Hall. The chamber office sent out invitations.
  26 - 28 November SMME Expo aimed at Economic Development, and Tourism Indaba - Show grounds.
  More information on any of the above events can be obtained from the Economic Affairs & Corporate Communications office of the City Council at 484-7003.
  
  

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SEMINARS / ACTIVITIES / FUNCTIONS

Members are requested to support the various events as listed at the back of the Agenda.

• a) NPI (National Productivity Institute) presentation at next meeting Thursday 16 October
• b) Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony Friday 24 October in the Jaap Steyn Hall
  Flame Walk with Mervyn Niland Wednesday 5 November - Fitness Zone Parking area next to L'Zardz Restaurant.
  
  

6

GENERAL

M Madonsela of the Vaal Triangle Technikon NW informed the meeting that the Technikon has purchased the Senpark building as main campus.

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CONCLUSION

The meeting concluded at 18h55

Next meeting Thursday 16 October same time and venue.