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

Present

Supt. Danie Cronjé, SAPS Community Policing Forum; Hendrik & Cindy Groenewald, Child Care Action; Susan Botha, Chamber; Charles Phillips, Wes Transvaal Plumbers; Frans Roos, Kosh Info; Casper Minnaar, Independent Minds; Amaréza Buys, Vaal Technikon; Elize Brandt, Absa; Ferdi van Niekerk, Cectronics Security; Eaan Algera, Your City News; Emél Brown, AVA Studios; Charles Oosthuizen, DHL; Marlene Dreyer, NW School of Design; Robbie Holmwood, ARM; T Ntsizi, President; Ryk van Jaarsveld, Klerksdorp Record; Elsa Phillips, College Board; Johan Pretorius, DPS; Judy Kruger, NW School of Design; Freda van Wyk & Ronnie Groesbeek, Chamber

Apologies

Ben Mosala, Kopano Brickworks; Tammy J van Rensburg, Prime Personnel; Kobus le Roux, Anglo Gold; Fanie van Heerden, Flamwood Bottle Store; Melanie Uys, Postnet; Alan Moir, Great Noligwa; Frik van Niekerk, Mac Rib; Deon Fouché, Dial Sure Brokers; Des Butler, Oranje Toyota; Derick Finsham, Action Force; Izak Bredenkamp, Getmed; Ulrich Sibilski, Anglo Environmental; Johan Grobler, Senwes; Shamiela Abrahams, PUK

WELCOME / APOLOGIES

The Chairman welcomed all present and extended a special welcome to those members and visitors, attending our meeting for the first time. Apologies listed.

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MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES 23 JANUARY 2003

Ongoing matters were discussed under the agenda. The minutes were accepted as read and correct, moved by F van Niekerk seconded by E Algera.

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PRESENTATIONS

• Safety & Security
  a)
  Supt Danie Cronjé explained that the Sector Policing Forum was established to ensure better monitoring of crime in the 7 sectors of Klerksdorp. Each sector has a Sector Manager and farms are included in the 7 sectors. A domestic workers' watch have been established in Doringkruin and these people were given the telephone no's of the 7 Sector Manager. He extended an invitation to all business people to attend the Community Policing Forum's monthly meetings on the last Thursday of every month in the Library Hall.

  Insp. Itumeleng Koloane one of the Sector Managers will be requested to attend our monthly meetings, to report on crime.

  A schedule of meetings in the 7 Sectors and names and contact details of Sector Managers is available from the Chamber office at (Tel) 462-7401 or (Fax) 462-7402. The ward councilor for each Sector also attends these meetings.

  He mentioned that they have licensed some shebeens in the townships in order to have better control by regulating these and to address issues as they arise.
  The purpose of the Sector Policing Forum is to involve the community with the police in fighting crime.
  He reported on some comparable crime statistics for the Klerksdorp area:
  February 1996 February 2003

  	Feb. 1996	Feb. 2003
  Murders	15	1
  Attempted Murders	9	7
  Rapes	36	5
  Assaults	107	7
  Housebreaking (Residential)	97	47
  Housebreaking (Business)	45	31
  Theft out of cars	136	129
  Theft - Motor Vehicles	30	16
  Other robberies	34	26
  Stock Theft	4	7

  
  In assault cases they had almost a 100% arrest rate.
  
  He said that 2 cameras will be installed initially in crime spots in the CBD at a cost of R60 000 each, and requested donations from business people to fund more cameras.

  He emphasized that the police in Klerksdorp has nothing to hide and they will report regularly on targeted areas. He reported that no bottlenecks exist in our courts and that Klerksdorp is a model in this regard. The Regional and Supreme Courts come to Klerksdorp every month.

  Supt. Cronjé can be contacted on 083 518 9295 or Fax: 464-5002 in order to report crime or for information required.

  b)
  Mr Hendrik Groenewald of Child Care Action explained how important it is for parents to keep track of where their children spend their time. Drugs are freely available and the children know exactly where to obtain it. Pier pressure is the main reason for children to start using drugs. They want to belong, even if they come from a secure home environment. They always seem to think that they can just try it once. Stress is another reason and parents could contact him to assist if they suspect that their children use drugs or are into Satanism or the occult. He can assist with identifying early signs of dependence.

  He expressed his willingness to work closely with the local police in this regard. He also requested assistance to obtain a stand or existing building to establish a help- or care centre where children can be brought to receive personal attention and help. He also wants to start programmes to keep young children occupied and off the streets. Because he himself went through drug addiction and Satanism he is able to relate to these children. He can be contacted on 083 443 1495 or office hours 484-4921. It was agreed that he would be in contact with Supt. Cronjé in order to establish some co-operation strategy.

  Johan Pretorius of Diversified Parking System (DPS) mentioned the successful interaction in Potchefstroom, where the car monitors report drug trafficking, on the streets, to the police.
  

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FEEDBACK

• Education & Training
  The Global Enterprise Olympics to be held in Klerksdorp on 18 and 19 June 2003 falls in the middle of the mid year exams. If the dates cannot be changed then South Africa might have to decline participation this year.

  It was agreed that Elsa would invite Ms Maryna Marais and Dr Oosthuizen of the College Board to come and give some feedback on skills training.

  Elsa Phillips reported that the virtual concert had to be postponed to later in the year.

  On Friday 28 March, our children will hold an Internet Conference with learners in other countries. Through the GET Enterprise programme, they are linked up with children around the globe.

• Tourism
  Judy Kruger reported that she has attended 2 meetings of the newly established, Klerksdorp Community Tourism Association and found that the meetings were not properly structured.

  The Tourism Indaba will be held in Durban from 3 to 6 May 2003. Klerksdorp has a stall at the Indaba but it has not yet been decided who our Representative will be. They are compiling a brochure for distribution at the Indaba. A media task team has been formed to identify the various tourism stakeholders and interested parties in order to select a working committee.

• Arts & Crafts
  Amareza Buys reported that the 9th International Creativity Conference in Africa will be held at Klein Kariba in Lepalala, from 7 to 10 October 2003. She will be presenting a creativity workshop at this event.

  The Yedo Youth Organisation has completed one of 12 mural paintings for the year, as part of a skills training programme for the youth. The Australian Aid Organisation against HIV is funding the programme. The theme is Fresh Lemon Juice, which is a preventative for the HI Virus.

  The Klerksdorp Youth Centre is presently involved with training in the Township schools in order to teach Grade 8 and 9 learners about arts and culture.

• Proudly Klerksdorp
  Eaan Algera said the City Council has entered the competition for the cleanest city/town in the country. They appealed to all businesses to ensure that their shop fronts are clean and attractive and pavements are litter free. We should all commit ourselves to a clean environment. Especially owners of vacant stands that are overgrown and littered. Let us work together to be the cleanest and most attractive city in South Africa. The winning city/town will received a cash prize of R1 million.

FUNCTIONS

• Mervyn Niland 1 Day MBA held on 19 March was fully booked out and enjoyed by everyone who attended. Comments were that it was extremely beneficial and informative. The Chamber will endeavour to book him for another session later in the year.

• The Promotion of Access to Information Act Seminar was held on Wednesday 26 March - Zytek will send the presentation to everyone who attended the seminar, in electronic format.

• Business Week - Mopani-Salga Development Train 19 - 22 May
  Casper Minnaar, who represents chamber, attended the meeting to appoint a committee to be in charge of all arrangements. The Business Week will now be held later in the year to coincide with the launch of the Transport Museum. North West Business Forum (NWBF) will also participate. Details will be made available as soon as we have more information.

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GENERAL

Marlene Dreyer requested business to become involved in a 5 year project to redecorate the various halls of the Civic centre. They will start with the Arts Hall. Sponsors are requested to donate paint and wall paper towards this project. The students of the arts & crafts department of the Vaal Triangle Technikon Klerksdorp Campus, are undertaking the project. Publicity for the project will be extended nationally.

Elsa mentioned that the Americans put up Christmas decorations during the festive season and suggested that we motivate business in Klerksdorp to do the same, creating a 'fairytale city'.

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The meeting concluded at 19h02. Next meeting 24 April at 17h30.