Entrepreneurs – ware entrepreneurs – hou van die uitdaging om ‘n nuwe projek aan te pak, hou van die risiko’s wat geloop word wanneer ‘n nuwe onderneming begin word, en raak soms verveeld wanneer ‘n besigheid vlot loop. En verloor dan gaandeweg belangstelling in die onderneming.

Die klassieke entrepreneur weet wat hy – (of sy!) – wil doen, en wanneer die doelwit bereik is, word die volgende uitdaging opgesoek. Hierdie spesie van besigheidspersoon begin dikwels ‘n nuwe onderneming elke drie tot vyf jaar, en beweeg dan aan na die volgende uitdaging. Na regte behoort elke sakeman aan die einde van die finansiële jaar sy posisie met betrekking tot die onderneming in heroorweging te neem, en dan medium termyn beplanning te doen oor die toekoms van die besigheid.

Dit is noodsaaklik vir elke entrepreneur om doelwitte te hê vir die onderneming. Hierdie doelwitte sluit in omset, wins, aantal takke, aantal personeel – in der waarheid kan enige kombinasie van ‘n hele aantal doelwitte gestel word. Die belangrikste is dat daar wel doelwitte sal wees.

Een van die belangrikste doelwitte wat baie dikwels uitgelaat word, is die einde van die verhouding met die onderneming. Geen eienaar van ‘n besigheid gaan vir ewig aan ‘n besigheid verbind bly nie, en planne moet vooraf beraam word om te verseker dat die “skeiding” so suksesvol as moontlik hanteer word.

Daar is drie basiese variasies van die beplande einde van ‘n onderneming:
1. Verkoop die onderneming as ‘n lopende saak
Om die onderneming as lopende saak te verkoop, is op hoë uitsondering na, die mees winsgewende manier om van die besigheid te skei.

Hierdie proses vereis dat die onderneming verkoop moet word aan iemand wat dit winsgewend sal laat voortbestaan. Ten einde die beste moontlike prys te verkry, moet die onderneming kan bewys dat dit winsgewend is oor ‘n lang periode, en dat die toekoms rooskleurig is.

Hierdie bewyse word altyd in die finansiële state gekry – wat ‘n baie goeie rede is om die finansies altyd goed te boekstaaf, selfs al sou wetgewing dit nie vereis nie. Die beste pryse word ook gerealiseer wanneer die verkoop nie plaasvind onder bedreiging van kompetisie nie, soos byvoorbeeld wanneer die plaaslike kafee op die hoek bedreig word deur ‘n supermark wat langsaan gaan oopmaak. Juis is dit belangrik dat die voorsienbare toekoms sonder bedreigings moet wees.
Die belangrikste element hier is dat die entrepreneur nie sal wag totdat die besigheid op die sterfbed lê voordat hy besluit om te verkoop nie – dan is dit te laat. Niemand sal ‘n dooie trekos koop vir ‘n redelike prys nie; net springlewendige diere haal goeie pryse!
2. Lys die onderneming as ‘n openbare maatskappy
Hierdie opsie is meesal geskik vir ondernemings wat baie groeipotensiaal het, en wat ten minste in die medium termyn dieselfde groeipotensiaal kan handhaaf nadat dit gelys is.

Die betrokkenheid van die entrepreneur word hier merendeels vereis omdat sy/haar voortgesette betrokkenheid deur potensiële aandeelhouers gesien word as ‘n soort waarborg dat die geprojekteerde winste wel sal realiseer. Die skeiding tussen entrepreneur en onderneming is gevolglik in hierdie geval nie totaal en ”skoon” nie – die verbintenis bly ten minste in die medium termyn voortbestaan.

3. Sluit die onderneming en likwideer al die bates
Die derde moontlike beplande skeiding tussen entrepreneur en onderneming kan eweneens winsgewend wees. Nadat die entrepreneur die onderneming gestig het, en vir ‘n tydperk die winste geniet het, kan die tasbare bates van die onderneming op die mark gesit word. Hierdie proses, wat in Engels as “asset stripping” bekend staan, behels dat al die bates van die onderneming, insluitend eiendom en toerusting, verkoop word en dat die opbrengs dan aan die entrepreneur as eienaar/aandeelhouer toegedeel sal word.

Die belasting implikasies van hierdie proses sal egter deeglik oorweeg moet word in die beplanning van so ‘n einde aan die onderneming, en die hulp van kenners behoort ingeroep te word.

‘n Laaste en verwante manier van “skeiding” wat nie heeltemal die einde van die verhouding met die onderneming beteken nie, is om ‘n gedeelte of aandeel van die onderneming te verkoop aan ‘n vennoot of aandeelhouer. So ‘n transaksie kan kontant beskikbaar stel vir die individu om ‘n nuwe inisiatief te begin; dit is egter ‘n redelik komplekse proses wat ‘n artikel op sy eie sal beslaan, en iewers in die toekoms hanteer kan word.

Die belangrikste van die “harvesting” proses van ‘n onderneming is dat dit vooraf beplan moet word, en as ‘n doelwit gestel moet word. Die entrepreneur kan nie eenvoudig een oggend wakker word en besluit nou gaan ek van die besigheid skei nie – dit proses vereis goeie vooraf beplanning, gekoppel aan vooraf bepaalde doelwitte wat bereik word, en ‘n berekende herinvestering van die opbrengste van die “harvesting” in ‘n volgende onderneming.

Gesels gerus met Johan Cronjé of Francois le Roux van Garden Route Business Services by francois@grbs.co.za oor alle aspekte van die “harvesting” soos hierbo genoem.

The Town Council of Mossel Bay at a Special Council Meeting on 12 September 2014 approved an amnesty period of six months until 15 February 2015 for the reinstallation of electricity meters, which were removed because they were either tampered with or bypassed. The tampering fee in this regard will also be waived during the amnesty period.
Where electricity meters can be re-used a charge of R125, plus VAT, will be levied to cover the installation costs thereof. If a meter is damaged a charge of R575, plus VAT, shall be levied to cover the cost of replacing the meter and installation costs. These charges may be recovered in cash or through auxiliary payments on the customer’s accounts.

Alderman Jim van der Merwe, Chairperson of the Finance Committee of Council, said the Municipality will also install split-type prepayment meters with separate control and customer interface units to prevent tampering with the meters. The estimated cost to the Municipality of the installation of such meters is R634 000.

He appealed to all consumers with illegal connections to make use of this opportunity offered to them by Council to legalise their electrical connections.

“Although the illegal use of electricity is illegal in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006, as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, there is a continuous loss or revenue to the Municipality due to the theft of electricity by way of illegal electrical connections in the Mossel Bay municipal area. The Municipality has over the past three years disconnected approximately 1 200 electrical connections.

“Certain households are also reselling electricity illegally to their neighbours at exorbitant rates, while cables and wires are also laid dangerously across streets and public spaces, putting the safety of especially small children at risk.

“Municipal meters and distribution boxes are continuously vandalised for the illegal tapping of electricity, while continuous power interruptions are encountered in some low voltage networks due to overload conditions caused by the illegal activities.”

The office got a bit too much; I needed an extraordinary cup of caffein and decided that the new place at the top of York Street was just the one. I locked the office door behind me and took to the street, walking at a reasonably brisk pace; could not leave the office vacant for too long.
He came from the front: Clothes as dirty as the worst I have ever seen. His black skin dusty and dirty – clearly, he would not even be able to remember when last he had had a good wash. But worst of all was his gait: Shuffling, giving paces of not more than 15cm at a time. Eyes downcast, not daring to look up, lest he sees another case of rejection – total and absolute rejection. He was a picture of not only dejected spirit, but worse; his was a painting of utter and complete hopelessness, having most probably experienced far too many “no’s” in his life. He was void of hope, and there was not the faintest possibility of hope returning anywhere in the future.
He did not even try to beg. He had simply given up…..
We passed each other not more than 2 meters apart: I, hurrying on to my coffee with a mind suddenly pre-occupied with this poor soul and his destiny; he, most probably not even noticing me, mind blank or maybe even simply making an effort at putting one foot in front of the other – obviously with effort and virtually no energy.
I had my espresso – strong, creamy, up there with the best. But the picture of utter desolation of human spirit remained.
My brief enjoyment of the espresso was marred, spoiled by the impression of my encounter with the poor soul – I simply could not really enjoy the coffee, despite its warm, creamy richness.
I paid and hit the road back to the office some 500m on at speed. He could not have made much progress, his pace was too slow. I almost jogged, looking up the cross streets to see whether he had maybe taken a side street – nothing. No sight of him anywhere ahead. Pushing on, making more speed, trying to think – where could he have gone?
I mentally breathed a sigh of relief on seeing him on the sidewalk right next to the entrance to my office, eating slowly, oh, so slowly out of a white styrofoam container. I did not look to see what he had for a meal, I suspected maybe some slapchips. I popped into the little shop opposite and ordered a steak and kidney pie, my eyes somewhat misty. Did not even check the change, glad to find the pie warm.
I walked over to him, bent down and put the pie next to the cast-off, clearly overcooked pasta. He scarcely had the energy to look up, but the appreciation was visible without anything being said. Maybe he wondered where had this generosity been when he had stood at the corner, hand in the air whenever a car approached, trying not to beg, but to find a job, even for just one day. Or bent down at the car window at the traffic light, only to see the driver making sure that the doors were locked. Or wondering what the newly acquired “freedom” and “vote” then really meant if there was no work, no food…..
I hurried up to the office, glad to not see anybody that may notice my wet eyes – men are not supposed to cry. Yet, my heart was broken at seeing the worst of society – realising that somewhere we had missed a turn, missed our purpose. My pie would maybe extend his life for a week; somehow, I knew that he will most probably be found dead next to some road within the next three months – having “attained freedom” some 18 years ago, he too late discovered that his hopes had been in vain, and that Paradise was not imminent.
Reality is harsh…… •

Mossel Bay Tourism has announced that its annual celebration of tourism – Travel Mossel Bay – has been postponed.

The next edition of Travel Mossel Bay has been postponed, and will now take place at the start of winter, 2015. Image below: exhibitors at last year’s festival.

The event is now expected to take place from Friday the 29th to Sunday the 31st of May, 2015.

“Travel Mossel Bay was designed as both a networking and marketing opportunity for participants in the local travel economy, and as way of showcasing Mossel Bay and the Garden Route and Klein Karoo regions as a preferred destination to travellers and potential travellers,” said Mossel Bay Tourism COO, Marcia Holm.

“Unfortunately, though, we realised through our discussions with attractions and accommodation providers, as well as with travel industry buyers from Cape Town and other source markets, that our timing was incorrect. The event was originally scheduled to take place in late October (as it did last year) – but this time of year is inappropriate for a number of reasons,” she said.

“Firstly, people who want to exhibit are too busy with the start of the summer season – both with bookings and with preparations for high season – while buyers, tour operators, and travel agents say that they are unable to get away from their offices at this time of year for the same reasons. Also, this is not the right time of year to try and increase short-term sales targets: historically everyone in tourism can expect to be busy from now until the end of April, while the May to September period is generally quiet.

“This is why it makes sense to present Travel Mossel Bay at the beginning of winter.”

She said that the dates were carefully considered. “It’s important that we don’t clash with major national and international marketing events like World Travel Market Africa, and South Africa’s Tourism Indaba.”

Ms. Holm said offered apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment that this postponement might cause.

“We hope that exhibitors and buyers who were looking forward to getting together this month will understand and forgive us – but we feel that it’s important to maximise the effect of the festival for everyone’s benefit,” she said.
• Tourism Mossel Bay

Buying and selling a house are some of the biggest financial decisions that a person makes in their lifetime.

Transactions start when there is a signed Deed of Sale (an offer to purchase becomes a Deed of Sale when its accepted by the Seller)

This Deed of Sale is handed to the attorney who will be dealing with the transaction. They will open a file and read the contract to see whether there are any suspensive conditions that have to be complied with before the matter can go ahead.

Should there be suspensive conditions (subject to a sale of another property or the obtaining of a bond for a specific amount) the Conveyancer will advise the parties of the time limits involved.

In the interim, the Conveyancer should collect from the parties all the necessary documents to allow them to draft the transfer and bond documents. This will include copies of ID books and marriage certificate and proof of residential addresses. Also if the property is being bought or sold in a Company or Close Corporation then they will require copies of all those documents too.

Should there be any deposits to be paid, the Conveyancer will ensure that these are paid and invested in their Trust Account.

From there, the Conveyancer has numerous tasks to perform. Clearances have to be obtained from the Body Corporate (Sectional Title Transfers) and the Municipality and of course the Receiver of Revenue. This will involve payments being made to cover any outstanding balances at the institutions.

When the bonds are approved or the guarantees are delivered for the transaction, the Conveyancer will have the parties sign all necessary documents to allow transfer to take place.

Once all payments have been made and all documents are signed, the transaction is then sent to the Deeds Office to be registered. Registration takes on average about 10 days in the Deeds Office.

As soon as transfer is effected, the property becomes that of the Purchaser and they are responsible for all matters relating to it. It is their responsibility to ensure that the water and lights have been transferred on to their name and that there is sufficient insurance over the property.

An average transaction should take between 6 – 8 weeks but it is good to remember that there are always possible hold ups that no-one has foreseen.

It is always important to use a specialist for this kind of work – if you have any questions that you would like personally explained, please feel free to contact:
Your Property Specialist: Fiona Williamson 082 820 6428, fiona@holaw.co.za •

Vandalisme van munisipale infrastruktuur is steeds besig om die Munisipaliteit groot bedrae geld jaarliks te kos, en ‘n beroep word op die publiek gedoen om te help om die skuldiges op te spoor.

Die beroep word deur die Munisipaliteit gemaak na aanleiding van verskeie gevalle in die Wolwedans-omgewing by Groot Brakrivier in die laaste tyd waartydens vure op mangatdeksels gemaak is, en plastiekstormwaterpype onder deur paaie aan die brand gesteek is.

In die ergste geval is ‘n pyp onder die boonste ingang vanuit die Amy Searle-pad aan die brand gesteek, en sal die pad nou vir ‘n geruime tyd gesluit moet word sodat die pyp met ‘n betonpyp vervang kan word.

Dit sal tot groot ongerief van die inwoners van die Wolwedansgebied wees. Dit veroorsaak ook dat geld wat gebruik word om ander dienste te verskaf of te verbeter nou vir die herstel van die skade aangewend te word.

Mense wat inligting het wat tot die aankeer van vandale kan lei, word versoek om dit by die Munisipaliteit se Departement Gemeenskapsveiligheid by telefoon (044) 606-5210 te rapporteer.