The Companies Tribunal (the Tribunal) in partnership with Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Emalahleni Chamber of Commerce and Industry and NAFCOC held a workshop in Protea Hotel Witbank on 28 June 2016. This workshop aimed at raising awareness about services of the Tribunal to the business fraternity of Emalahleni and surroundings.

Professor T. Pudi the Deputy President of the Witbank Chamber of Commerce welcomed the delegates and gave a background of the role that the Chamber plays to business fraternity of Witbank and surrounding areas. He was followed by the Chairperson of NAFCOC Mr Albert Hlatshwayo who delivered the word of appreciation to the Tribunal for hosting such an important workshop. Ms Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane who is the Full-time Tribunal member gave an overview of the Tribunal mandate and vision and indicated that the Tribunal receives very few applications from Mpumalanga province. She was followed by Mr Siyabonga Ntshangase who delivered a detailed presentation about the mandate of the Tribunal emphasising the Tribunal’s role in terms of social and ethics committee applications. He also emphasized the importance of ADR in bringing parties together, resolve disputes amicably.

Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism representative Mr Charlie Nhleko delivered a presentation on the services that the department offers as well as opportunities. Mr Mojalefa Khoza from the CIPC mesmerized the delegates in his presentation entitled “Intellectual property: Products and Services’, this left delegates fascinated about the importance of intellectual property. Ms Tebogo Mputle delivered the presentation on the process of lodging applications with the Tribunal. This presentation was very important to members of the Chamber since Witbank is far from Pretoria. There was a recommendation for the Tribunal to have an office in Witbank. The last but not list presentation was delivered by the charismatic Alfred Matsimbi from the National Credit Regulator. Mr Matsimbi gave an overview of the new amendments to the Credit Act and emphasised the importance of exercising caution when applying for credit either for business or personal use.

It was fundamental for the Tribunal to host this workshop in Mpumalanga at Witbank in particular because Witbank is the economic hub of the province, it was importance to raise awareness about Tribunal services and engage members of Witbank Chamber with the hope that the Tribunal will receive more applications from Mpumalanga. Since there’s a lot of mining activities taking place in Witbank it was also necessary to discuss issues of social and ethics to ensure that business people and the community are aware.

Questions that were asked to the Tribunal were about inter arlia:

• Tribunal powers in enforcement of its decisions
• Cases that are before year 2012
• Social and Ethics Committees
• Disputes that arise due to a proclamation by the Minister

After the workshop a radio interview was held with Emalahleni FM which is among the top three biggest community radio stations in Mpumalanga. Ms Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane explained to Emalahleni FM listeners the reason why the Tribunal held a workshop in Mpumalanga, gave a brief overview of the Tribunal mandate and explained how to contact the Tribunal for more information.

Some of the delegates gathered at the Emalahleni Workshop in Witbank