What's New in SACCOL

SACCOL AGM REPORT BACK

This years AGM was held in the city of Rustenburg, North West Province at the Rustenburg Kloof. The theme of the AGM was planning on the Future, taking into account the many changes our SACCOs and SACCOL will need to contend with over the next period. On the Thursday, our training day, inputs were given by National Treasury's Olaotse Matshane on the Cooperatives Banks Bill. Policy specialist Rudolph Willemse presented to our members the meaning of being a "developmental lender" within he National Credit Act and its implications for SACCOs.

Friday 27th was our closed session day where the reports were debated and interrogated by members. This led to some lively constructive discussion all focusing on the future of our movement. The afternoon sessions were taken up a presentation by Tebogo Padu of the NEHAWU SACCO and our GM David de Jong who presented papers on the Cooperative Banking options facing Cooperatives Banks and the Options facing SACCOL respectively premised on the content of the Cooperative Banks Bill. It was resolved by members that once the Bill is finalized, the organization should hold an strategic planning workshop to map our our next five year program.

The formal AGM was held on Saturday 28th. One of the highlights of the Chairperson report was the awarding of the inaugural Judy Dudley Administrative Excellence Award to Boikago SACCO. It was reflected that not many SACCOs phone in advance to ask what they owe in fees and dues. Identified in the inputs of the Chairperson and GM. were the highlights of the year which included:

• Proclamation of Government Gazette No 1176, published in Gazette No. 29412 on the 1st December 2006
• Tabling of the Cooperatives Banks Bill in Parliament 2007
• Revision of the Definition of a small business to include Cooperatives reducing tax burden from 28% to 15% after continuous lobbying.
• Accreditation of 16 units standards and of the SACCOL to the Bank Seta for a period of five years
• Tenders to the National Treasury, SAMAF and Department of Labour of which we have been awarded some.
• Reworking the entire Conditions of Employment and adopting 15 new policies and procedures ensuring better conditions of employment for all SACCOL employees
• UYF project delivering 654 jobs to date
• SACCOs achieving R 70million in assets
• Manager training workshop in Mpumalanga to which 53 Southern African managers attended
  

U.Y.F PROJECT DELIVERS R 2m in Enterprise Development Loans

The innovative Umsobomvu Youth Fund youth enterprise lending project reached a new milestone by giving out its R 2millionth loan.

Some vital statistics of the outputs of the project are as follows. Umsobomvu and SACCOL are consulting on ways in which to expand this program so as more SACCOs and their members many benefit:

Each quarter we will endeavor to keep you updated on our latest figures

SACCO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AUGUST 007

Government Gazette Notification and Cooperative Banks Bill (March) 2007

The Cooperatives Banks Bill (click here to download) began its legislative process in parliament on the 22nd of August 2007. Kicking off the process, National Treasury presents the Bill to Parliament. Then on the 28th and 29th of August, the Finance Portfolio Committee will take verbal submission from various stakeholders who made written submission to it. SACCOL is scheduled to make its submission on the morning of the 28th August. For a preview of our submission click here to download. Once the Committee has heard all the submissions it will consider them on the Friday 31st August. There has been a provisional slot to discuss the bill in Parliament on the 2nd September 2007.

In the interim SACCOs continue to be guided by the Government Gazette No 29412, No. 1176, Banks Act, 1 December 2006. Click here to down load

SACCA CONGRESS 2007

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA), the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) and the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives, Ltd. (MUSCCO) cordially invite you to participate in the Africa Congress, October 30 - November 2, 2007, at the Sunbird Mount Soche hotel in Blantyre, Malawi.

Each year the Africa Congress provides a forum for SACCO representatives throughout Africa to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives. The 2007 Africa Congress will expand upon previous themes and foster networking and training opportunities to strengthen SACCO movements in Africa. Among a range of topics, participants will learn how to develop their social mission through community development and to increase their competitive advantage through credit union networking.

In addition to general audience conference sessions, WOCCU will offer a new Manager Certification Program at an additional cost. Please find enclosed an informational pamphlet containing program details and registration information.

Also find enclosed a conference agenda, an Africa Congress registration form and a list of recommended hotels. The Africa Congress registration fee, payable to MUSCCO, is US$185. Participants that register on or before September 7, 2007, pay a discounted fee of US$170. The registration fee covers the cost of the venue, equipment, tea and lunch each day of the conference. Attendees need to make their own hotel reservations and are responsible for hotel and travel expenses.

Please help us promote this event in your country by advertising the African Congress in your organization’s publications or by linking your website to Africa Congress information online (www.woccu.org/meetings). We appreciate your support of this event, and we look forward to seeing you in Malawi this October.

Attached are:

2007 Africa Congress Registration Form.pdf

2007 AFRICA CONGRESS - Agenda & Hotels.pdf

Manager Certification Program Brochure_English.pdf

SACCOL BOD

As per 2007 AGM

Back: Mr Elias Mathebula (BOD), Mr Siyabula Hodi (BOD), Mr Patson Ngwevela (Chairperson), Mr Victor Botha (Vice Chair), Jacob. Makona (BOD).

Front: Mr David de Jong (GM), Mrs Maria Molusi (BOD), Mrs Corinthian Gqozo

SACCOL SUPERVISORY COMMITEE

As per 2007 AGM

Stanley Mathews, Zama Speelman and Frazer Ttotetsi

Webpage updated: September 2007