Chairman’s Report 2009-10

Kenton/Bushmans Chamber of Business and Tourism

President’s Report 2009-10

In world economic terms 2009 was a difficult year, and our part of the country did not escape the recession. Building activity slowed down, and though people came in their numbers over the Christmas period, it seemed that they were coming for shorter times. Nevertheless the truism that in country areas we experience less of the ‘boom’ but also a little less of the ‘bust’, seemed to hold true. This truism also held true for the World Soccer Cup. The vuvuzelas blared loudest in the big cities and those places that hosted National teams. We have tried to establish what direct economic benefits might have been enjoyed in our area, but at best these were very limited. Undoubtedly there will be a spin-off benefit in time to come, as more people hear of the great reception visitors were given to South Africa, and we get more overseas visitors.

I propose to summarise our activities over the past year into two groups:
1   What worked/ Positive developments
●   The formation of the Sunshine Coast Tourism and Events Authority took place. We had carefully gone into the pro’s and cons, and had invited its main driver, Robbie Blake, to meet with us. We decided to support it in principle, subject to our members’ approval once we have determined what the implications of membership will be.
Several factors motivated its establishment:- The unsatisfactory management and funding style of Ndlambe Municipality in respect of its Tourism and Local Economic Development activities has led to the two main tourism associations getting less than the amount set aside for tourism purposes. It was felt that a new overriding organisation, with representation on its management by the Municipality, could be a vehicle for better co-operation and trust, and for dealing with the tourism affairs of the whole area of the Sunshine Coast. It could also contribute to a better co-ordination and relationship with the Cacadu District Municipality, which also has a Tourism budget at present not being accessed. Perhaps more important a number of new ideas can be implemented to bring about a consistency in the branding of the product, The Sunshine Coast, and to put a stronger emphasis on previously neglected areas; in our instance Alexandria, Boknes and Cannon Rocks.
It is early days yet, and the course of the new body is still to negotiated through the rocky waters of political machinations. In the meanwhile four of our members have been elected to the Board of Trustees, Dorothy du Plessis, Attie Heunis, Mike Wilmot and myself, as well as Mike Beaumont from Port Alfred, also a member of our Association.
Of interest is that the new Association has accepted that our model of a joint partnership between business and tourism activities will be encouraged – it being recognised that in our circumstances the two activities are co-dependent and mostly inseparable.
●   The new website is up and running, subject to some final fine-tuning. We have always had the objective of having the best site possible, and the new site incorporates some of the best of current technology. Our website is well used, and I have mentioned before that, while one would expect housing and accommodation to be popular, it is surprising how many hits are made on the business pages. We will be including information and news more dynamically than before. As we own the site we will be using it for reports to members as well.
●   Security issues have been exercising our minds greatly since the murder of Juan Jansen outside Spar last year, followed by the armed robbery at Prestons. Jeremy Turner has put in a great deal of effort on this matter, and has worked with Hi-Tec Security and the Kenton and Bushmans River Ratepayers Associations to develop a comprehensive plan for camera surveillance, that can be implemented in stages, but that will incorporate all sections of the general community. We do need the support and commitment of the business community to make this plan work for us all. Please give this matter your earnest consideration. We are entering times of increasingly sophisticated and violent criminal activity, and cameras have shown their efficaciousness in other areas. Even the knowledge that there is camera surveillance is a deterrent to criminals.
●   the KentonXtreme event once again drew great interest, and thanks are due to Mike Wilmot and his team for ensuring its success. There was also good TV coverage for the area. We need to find an anchor sponsor to ensure its continuity.
●   Simon Oliver has done great work in the beautification of the area around the Kenton Municipality offices, and with the lights the buildings and the surrounding area looked particularly charming over Christmas.
●   The B&B Association is an important part of our business community. They meet from time to time, and visitors often comment on the way in which they co-operate with one another. They have devised an independent rating system which keeps them on their toes.
●   Wally Kitcat and Justin Wilmot have done sterling work in Wards 3 and 4, despite the frustrations of lack of quorums, and the circularity of bureaucratic decision making.

2   What didn’t work/ Developments causing concern:
●    The state of public toilets in the whole area is appalling; and whenever some effort has been made to improve them, they are immediately vandalised. The Municipality has not considered this a high priority matter, despite all efforts. The solution would seem to be to encourage a form of entrepreneurship which would give people an opportunity to run toilets as some form of business. Kenton on Sea Ratepayers Association are working together with us on this project. When not supervised the facilities will have to be locked.
●   Building plan approvals seem to get frozen when any deviations or objections occur. These have to be referred to the applicable Ward Committee for recommendation and decision, with inordinate delays flowing therefrom – not least because often the Ward Committee meetings fail to muster a quorum. We wrote to and were promised a response by the Municipal Manager, but to no avail. We will continue with our efforts because delays in the passing of building plans have an immediate impact on business.
●   Our Service Excellence programme, where we tried to help our members stimulate an awareness of the importance of customer service through inviting members of the public to report incidents of noteworthy service, by means of a competition and publicised awards, was not supported by members with enthusiasm, and failed to bring any significant results. We have accordingly decided to discontinue it.
●   The Report-back meeting held after the Christmas season was poorly attended. We will review this activity to see if we can find a more stimulating format, or even scrap it altogether if we feel that members do not feel they need it.
●   The question of signage in Kenton has been a vexed one. Under Wally Kitcat’s guidance a new sign has been designed and implemented. You will see examples of it in the Kenton, and it has received positive reactions. We will gradually extend its use, hopefully into the whole area we cover. On the other hand we have not made any progress in regard to the ever-increasing number of signs randomly appearing around Kenton, which do nothing for the aesthetic beauty of the village. There are regulations regarding the putting up of signs, but they are only sporadically and inconsistently applied by the Traffic Department. So self-regulation is the only way we can achieve improvement. We will continue to make efforts in this respect.

In the Financial Report you will find references to the various projects to which we have our modest surpluses – camera surveillance, including donations we have been able to secure specifically for that purpose, KentonXtreme, sea storm damage repair, fencing in unsightly rubbish collection points, a video promoting the area, signs and beautification efforts. I am pleased that we have been able to work in partnership with other public benefit organisations in many of these efforts.

I hope from this report you will get a good idea of your Executive Committee’s work over the past year. We are mindful that our membership has the right to expect service in return for its backing, including financial. We welcome your input. So in thanking the Executive Committee for the many extra miles they have gone, on their behalf I would also like to thank you, the members, for your support.

Michael Kirby (Rev.)
President
19 July 2010