Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber had the following to say about the East Cape Provincial Budget presented this morning in Bhisho by Finance and Provincial Expenditure MEC Sakhumzi Somyo: The MEC presents his budget in a province in great need of high levels of accountability and collaborative partnership towards a common goal of sustainable prosperity for all. As the demand for effective service delivery grows, so the need for the implementation of sustainable … [Read more...] about Local business responds to EC Provincial Budget 2015
budget
Six essential budget tips for small business
A business without a working budget is like a car without a fuel gauge - it will drive for a while, but will run out of fuel when the driver least expects it. In light of the recently announced 2015 Budget Speech, Gerrie van Biljon, executive director at Business Partners Limited (BUSINESS/PARTNERS), provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with six essential tips for sound business budgeting. 1. Be realistic: The basis of every budget is an estimate of the income of the business. The … [Read more...] about Six essential budget tips for small business
EC budget expectations: Measures needed for honest, efficient and caring government
Dear MyPE The budget for the Eastern Cape for 2015/16 will be tabled in the provincial legislature by Finance and Provincial Expenditure MEC Sakhumzi Somyo on Friday, 6 March 2015. The Eastern Cape MEC for Finance and Provincial Expenditure, Sakhumzi Somyo, must announce concrete steps to put this province on the high road to honest, efficient and caring government when he introduces the provincial budget on Friday in Bhisho. The Democratic Alliance expects bold pronouncements to clamp … [Read more...] about EC budget expectations: Measures needed for honest, efficient and caring government
Business wants Finance Minister to focus on infrastructure projects
Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has the following advice from local business to Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene: As a nation grown accustomed to being asked to tighten our belts, we have felt the impact of government cuts on spending in non-priority areas and its emphasis on the reprioritization of budgets towards critical projects. This year’s budget speech takes place against the backdrop of sluggish economic growth, unemployment, and the negative effects of … [Read more...] about Business wants Finance Minister to focus on infrastructure projects
Calling Economists and other clever calculating people
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene - @Budget2015 - has asked South Africans for their views on the upcoming Budget Speech and the general state of the economy. Minister Nene will table his Budget Speech in parliament on 25 February. Minister Nene has asked the public to contribute its ideas on how the dynamics of the country’s cities can be changed so it can improve living conditions, modernise transport and communications infrastructure and expand economic activity. He also wants to know … [Read more...] about Calling Economists and other clever calculating people
IDP and budget sector meeting’s discussions empowering for the municipality
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) IDP and Budget meetings that were held at the City Hall today were an empowering experience for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality political leadership and officials to deliver on the mandate. The first session was held at 10 am with the religious sector while the second session was held at 2pm with other special sectors. Tuesday's meetings were held to accommodate different sectors like, people with disability, religious sector, traditional leadership, … [Read more...] about IDP and budget sector meeting’s discussions empowering for the municipality
SA needs to do more to reduce poverty and increase jobs
On the back of Comment Minister of Finance. Minister Nene's Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in Cape Town yesterday organised business in Port Elizabeth represented by Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber commented on the speech as follows: South Africa was steered through a tumultuous time by the firm hand of Pravin Gordhan in the portfolio of Minister of Finance. Minister Nene, in his turn, has inspired in us a measure of confidence through his Medium Term Budget … [Read more...] about SA needs to do more to reduce poverty and increase jobs
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’S Public Participation Programme
The wheels of participatory democracy have started to move at a high pace yesterday, September 30, when the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's 2014/15 IDP and Budget review process started. The first sessions, spread across different wards within Nelson Mandela Bay, were dedicated to Ward Committees, where the IDP Office officials, led by the political leadership, briefed Ward Committees on the IDP and Budget to be reviewed. These sessions will be followed by a full-swing IDP and Budget public … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’S Public Participation Programme
Eastern Cape is top spender on travel and accommodation
The following speech was delivered in the Eastern Cape Legislature on Thursday by the DA's Shadow MEC for Finance, Bobby Stevenson MPL, during the budget vote debate of Provincial Planning and Treasury. This budget takes place against a bleak fiscal and economic outlook for the province and country. The budget speech was made on the 6 March the projected growth for South Africa was 2.7 %. The projected growth rate for South Africa is now 1.7%. We've just faced a 25 basis point interest … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape is top spender on travel and accommodation
Friday Rant – Budget
A client recently asked me to do some work and instructed me not to charge as there was "No Budget". So, I took a leaf out of the client's book and wrote to the Municipality asking them to not send me my rates account this month as there was "No Budget". Funny - the Municipality is still laughing ......... … [Read more...] about Friday Rant – Budget
The spokespeople of the poor
During a budget debate in the Nelson Mandela Bay Council today ANC Councillor Andile Mfunda referred to the DA as "the spokespeople of the poor" after the DA called for a pro poor budget that is progressive and speaks to the needs of all the residents of the Metro. The DA, in our submission to Council stated that the 2014/15 budget must be "unashamedly and unambiguously pro poor". We acknowledged that Nelson Mandela Bay is a better place to live today than it was before 1994 but that progress … [Read more...] about The spokespeople of the poor
Eastern Cape budget: Core business must be prioritised over consumption expenditure
The Democratic Alliance believes that the function of the annual budget is to lay the foundation of economic growth and job creation in the Eastern Cape. Core business must be prioritised over consumption expenditure. The provincial budget for 2014/2015 will be tabled by Finance and Provincial Planning MEC Phumulo Masualle in the Bhisho Legislature on Thursday, 6 March. The MEC needs to spell out in no uncertain terms how a shift will take place away from consumption expenditure – mainly … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape budget: Core business must be prioritised over consumption expenditure
EC capital expenditure needs to pick up
Early warning signs are emerging from the second quarter provincial expenditure figures released by National Treasury last week. Whereas the Eastern Cape Province has spent 47,7 % of its budget for the year to date, expenditure on capital assets of 34,7 % is a cause for concern because of the impact on the provincial economy. Given the high unemployment rate, the province desperately needs the spinoff of infrastructural spending in terms of job creation. Human Settlements is lagging … [Read more...] about EC capital expenditure needs to pick up
DA disapproves of irregular decisions taken by Nelson Mandela Bay’s Executive Mayor
On Thursday afternoon councillors received an SMS notification that the Speaker, on request of the Executive Mayor, had called a Special Council Meeting for Friday 19th July at 10:00. Councillors only received the 103 page agenda at the meeting and were expected to make important decisions that affect the residents of our Metro. This late notice was received in the same week that the Executive Mayor called an illegal meeting for Thursday, which the Democratic Alliance refused to … [Read more...] about DA disapproves of irregular decisions taken by Nelson Mandela Bay’s Executive Mayor
First round of IDP/Budget consultative meetings
Residents responded well to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's call to participate at the IDP/Budget consultative meetings last night with the Cecil Kapi Hall full and more than 160 people turned up at the Walmer Town Hall. Although lesser numbers were recorded elsewhere the meetings were also interactive and vibrant with residents taking up issues of importance in their wards. Issues rose touched on more frequent community participation, youth related issues, housing, budgetary matters … [Read more...] about First round of IDP/Budget consultative meetings
