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Western Cape Business 2020 edition

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  • Africa
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  • Africa
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  • Nedbank
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  • Western
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A unique guide to business, investment and tourism in the Western Cape. The 2020 edition of Western Cape Business is the 13th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape. The Western Cape has several investment and business opportunities. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, a special feature examines the water sector in the light of the drought which led to many people rethinking their approach to this vital resource. The journal contains news and information from business and investment agencies and bodies such as the Cape Chamber of Commerce, the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum and Wesgro, the Western Cape’s dedicated tourism, trade and investment agency for the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town. Updated information on the Western Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.

Commercial saved by

Commercial saved by cutting star’s red tape Nigerian model Jemima is the star in a well-known soap brand’s commercial. The R2-million commercial and 75 jobs were on the line when she couldn’t get a visa for three weeks because the South African mission in Nigeria was having technical difficulties with essential equipment. Without a visa, it looked like South Africa and the Western Cape economy would lose the shoot to India. Through the interventions by the Red Tape Reduction Unit (RTRU), with assistance from Home Affairs, the unit convinced authorities to allow Jemima to fly to Ghana, to apply for a visa there, because the South African High Commission in Lagos was closed in the run-up to elections (which were postponed). The result was that the shoot and the 75 people who were working, could continue per schedule, by ensuring that the actress would be able to make it in time for the location shoot. Karoo reality show saved, by “cutting” the wait In 2018, Getaway Productions, a local film company, managed the production of a UK film “Carnage”, shot on a private farm in the Western Cape Tankwa Karoo. The film was paid for from the UK – a cost of R74m. It emerged, contrary to expectations, that filming on private farms was governed by environmental legislation. This resulted in production delays. These delays were compounded when the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) insisted on a permit. This is typically a 109-day process which put the production in jeopardy. The RTRU intervened and was able to arrange a meeting with the DEADP within a week. The legislative conditions were explained to the production team and a more suitable location on the farm was found. This new location complied with both the necessary legislative and production requirements. The location was set up and shooting was finished within the stipulated time schedules. The direct benefit was an injection of R74-million into the provincial economy, with extensive secondary economic benefits for local businesses providing catering, accommodation, fuel and other services, such as maintenance and security. This while securing the reputation of the Western Cape as an attractive proposition for international filming. WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2020 22

Municipal Economic Support eases building plan approvals for local businesses The Municipal Economic Support Unit, in partnership with the Drakenstein Municipality, implemented the Collaborator Extension Project which involved the design and development of a Building Control Portal that allows clients to submit building plan applications online. This, along with technical process enhancements to current municipal electronic systems, aims to efficiently support the building control function and streamline processes and approvals. A benefit of the project is that local businesses Managing abattoir waste Abattoir waste has been identified through numerous reports and studies as being the most problematic foodwaste type to manage in the Western Cape due to its hazardous nature and its potential impacts on the environment and human health. The Guideline on the Management of Abattoir Waste in the Western Cape was developed as one of the recommendations stemming from the Status Quo study of Abattoir Waste conducted in 2015. The guideline provides various role-players in the abattoir sector with the necessary advice to ensure compliance with the legislation while also realise savings through reduced red tape costs as a result of reduction in timeframes of approvals, and the easing of unnecessary complexity in finalising building plan applications. More importantly, the portal will allow applicants to track their applications and establish where it is in the approval process at any given time. This portal has reduced the approval time for plans from 32 days to 15 days. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has also rolled the portal out to municipalities along the West Coast including Matzikama, Saldanha Bay, Bergriver and Cedarberg. Lauren Waring, The Executive Director: Planning and Development at Drakenstein Municipality, indicated that the partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism was a valuable one, and that the new system significantly boosted staff morale. “It was also interesting seeing the rise in the number of compliments by satisfied applicants that the unit started receiving,” said Lauren. providing the various options available for management that ensures the protection of the environment and human health. The guideline also explores the possibility of regional cooperation among role-players as an option in resolving some of the challenges experienced in the sector. The mini-guide is a collaboration between the Red Tape Reduction Unit and the Waste Management Directorate of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 23 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2020

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