This could have been attributed to a number of factors. One being Chairman Pierre Venter calling for a 'peaceful evening', making a few tongue in cheek comments regarding some of the Chamber's recent and rather heated meetings where for instance electricity tariffs were discussed by some 300 irate local business owners.
"Tonight, we are not discussing any complaints, but rather celebrating accomplishments like the progress made with our 'Buy local' campaign," Venter said. The other highlight of this event and cause for celebration was Mossel Bay's top businesses for 2012 being honoured.
Local businesses shine
Family business F&A Airconditioning, established in Mossel Bay in 1988, was awarded Entrepeneur of the Year. An overjoyed Eddy Jenkerson commended his 'A Team' as being a huge part of the secret of his success. "This is a great honour for me, receiving this award since I am considering retirement next year, but I leave a legacy in well trained, professional staff to continue," Jenkerson said.
"I leave you with a bouquet for the future - yesterday, today and tomorrow."
In the Business of the Year, category B (turnover of R10 million per annum and less), a split decision was made, awarding the laurels to Tollies Slaghuis in Hartenbos and OK Minimark, Mossel Bay. Tollies, another family business owned by Gerrit and Marie Cilliers, grew since its establishment in 2004 to currently employ 22 people, including the couples two sons Danie and Martin, one a skilled chef and the other a competent marketing specialist.
"Family business can get messy. Sometimes it gets really rough behind the scenes," Gerrit Cilliers said poignantly much to the audience's amusement, upon accepting the award. Yolanda Prinsloo, managed woman alone to turn the OK Minimark into the Franchise of the Year consecutively in 2011 and 2012. "They say 'no guts' no glory'. I am grateful for the glory of receiving this award tonight and I can't wait to share it with my staff," Prinsloo said.
In category A, for big businesses, the competition was exceptionally tough with CTM, MSec Security, Hartenbos Spar and Shell Voorbaai Truckport having their sights set on the award. Shell Voorbaai Truckport, started in 2002 by Johannes and Linette Bischoff with 14 employees, which grew to 64, today being the largest volume privately owned Shell service station, was given this top award. "It is by grace alone that businesses can thrive in the current economic climate, and therefore we are extremely grateful for this award," said Johannes Bischoff. He specifically made mention of the quality of management delivered by each team member with regards to their specific task, as this adds to sound overall management success.
Economist (almost) steals the show
According to economist and key note speaker at the event, Isaac Matshego, with 2012 drawing to a close, one of the big questions is 'What phase is the economy entering'? Matshego noted how difficulties within the global economy is causing ramifications in South Africa, referring to the dramatic drop in exports. Along with the current labour unrest, resulting in lower manufacturing, investors are wary of spending. This in turn prohibits job creation, which is a despe-rate need in South Africa.
"We need to create five million jobs by 2020 and at the rate we are going, I cannot see this being achieved easily, since investment is the key creator of jobs" said Matshego. Although insistent that he is not a 'union basher', he expressed strong opinions regarding the lack of financial as opposed to political gain achieved during a strike. Matshego also added that although strikes are common worldwide, the tendency of violence and destruction of property that is prevalent in South Africa, causes major concern. "There must be greater ownership and participation amongst the labour force. They need to understand what it is that they are working for," he suggested as being part of the solution for South Africa's economic woes, which led to spontaneous applause and light hearted remarks such as 'Isaac for President'.
A special award was given to PetroSA, commending them for their massive role in the economy of Mossel Bay.
Despite tough times, local businesses shone this year. Here are the winners of the MBBC awards (from left) Gerrit Cilliers with sons Martin and Danie (Tollies), Yolanda Prinsloo (OK Minimark), Eddie Jenkerson with daughter Liezl Pretorius (F&A Airconditioning), Marika Thomatos (MBBC) and Johannes and Linette Bischoff.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
