Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 113 Hanover 7005
Tel 053-643-0333 Fax 053-643-0334
Joining the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and Industry has important benefits for your business. These include:
- free listing for your businesses in the Hanover Business Directory
- free listing for your businesses on the Hanover Chamber of Commerce web site
- free placement of your brochures in the Hanover Information office
- reduced rates for members when using specific advertising and services offered by the Chamber and the Information Office
- have a voice in the development of business and industry in Hanover
- exchange of new business ideas and ways to improve your business
- sharing of information, resources, and knowledge of use to businesses
PLAN OF ACTION
Under leadership of the Executive Committee (EXCO), the Chamber has already begun work on the following:
- established a Hanover Information office beside the N1
- investigated the rules and regulations regarding signage on the N1
- offered to assist the Hanover Festival committee with securing of funds from the municipality
- plans underway to construct a large Hanover sheep to be placed in a visible location from the N1
- advertised in newspapers around South Africa, as well as the Chamber website for professionals to relocate to Hanover (doctor, lawyer, dentist, gynecologist, veterinarian)
- Hanover business directory, including listing of churches, government offices, etc.
- Hanover brochure for distribution at the Hanover Information Hut and at other Information/Tourist sites in South Africa
- media e-mail list for press releases and other publicity for Hanover
- compilation of a directory of labor resources in Hanover (and will encourage a labor pool to be taken over by a private businessperson)
- driver’s pool
- enforce hawkers area – identify a “traders market” and ensure traders have valid licenses
Other activities that we intend to accomplish in the first six months (July – December 2004) are:
- assist Hanover festival committee in any way possible, including attracting media attention
- all-Chamber member teambuilding trip (ie. river rafting in Cradock)
- identify and encourage establishment of a wide variety of small businesses by Hanover residents (Nappy factory support)
- identify and encourage industry or production of products for Hanover and distribution throughout the region
- Chamber/Hanover newsletter
- bolster crime prevention measures, particularly around the holiday season
- lay the groundwork to create an image of Hanover in South Africa and globally as a creative and dynamic town
- establish a community and visitor phone line (answering machine) for suggestions and complaints
- secure guidelines and restrictions for use of buildings in historic district of Hanover
- identify and pursue social support activities (home for the elderly, orphanage/orphan support program)
These are a few suggested ideas for the Chamber to take up in the long term. Note that these will need further discussion by the entire Chamber.
- bolster cleanliness and appearance of town
- establish a permanent Hanover Information Hut (prefab building in same vicinity)
- secure a hospital in Hanover
- secure a correctional facility in Hanover
- develop Hanover as a shopping destination for travelers and the region, particularly by encouraging specialty shops, skills, and unique services
- encourage skills training activities – at schools, in trade centers
- encourage and support adult literacy classes
- bicycle relay race De Aar to Hanover on the old De Aar road (around March)
- improve Hanover museum
- encourage establishment of a bottling plant, vegetable depot (hydroponic system), transport depot
- international grade hotel and golf course
- encourage regular artistic events in Hanover (plays, choral festivals, live music, etc)
- be a major driving force in a successful 150th festival in Hanover
As one of the first actions taken by the new Chamber, the Hanover Information Hut has been established.
Services offered by the Hanover Information Hut include:
- advertising for Hanover and surrounding farmers
- advertising for tourism sites throughout South Africa, including a computer programme with GPS that helps travelers plan their journey
- central advertising board to post real estate and other property for sale, including classified advertising
- an accommodation pool (including photo album of Guest Houses and Guest Farms)
- maintenance of a Chamber web site
- Chamber/Hanover newsletter
Please note that some of these services are free to Chamber members, and some will be offered to members at a reduced rate. The schedule of rates and services is available at
the Hanover Information Hut, located temporarily in Jaap de Bryn’s house near the Excel garage.
The hours of operation (temporarily) are 10-2 M-F, and Saturday hours are to be posted. Contact Karin at 072-540-4578 or 643-0333 during these hours.
The one-time entry fee to become a voting Chamber member is R 1,000. This can be paid in installments over a three-month period after signing up.
The annual fee for the year 2005 will be R 450, again payable, if necessary, in installments over the first three months of the year. The annual fee for years following will be decided by Chamber members during 2005.
There will be some non-voting members at Chamber meetings, who attend upon invitation of the Chamber.
For Hanover to move forward rapidly and effectively, the Chamber not only would like to encourage all of the ideas above, but also wants to ensure that Hanover businesses behave in a responsible and ethical manner, and that they act in a way that promotes the town as a whole and supports a positive future for Hanover.
To this end please be aware that any business that joins the Chamber must within two months of entry produce proof that they are registered with the Regional Services Council. Please pay your entry fee to Julia Stewart (EXCO Treasurer) at the Grand Liquor Store.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
To get the Chamber off the ground the EXCO is already putting in many volunteer hours. We can use the help of other members, and in fact anyone in the community. Here are some of the things we could use now:
- Anyone wishing to volunteer temporarily in the Hanover Information Hut so that we can extend the hours, particularly on weekends, is highly appreciated.
- Anyone with web site skills, please contact Karin at the Hanover Information Hut immediately
- Donations of materials to make the Hanover sheep are needed, in particular if farmers can donate any steel or wire to make the frame
- Anyone with small business skills who can sign up to be available when we need to help new small businesses to get off the ground, please sign up with Karin
- Anyone who knows professionals in cities or other locations who would like to relocate, please encourage them to consider Hanover
- Donations of computer, accessories or any office equipment for the Hanover Information Hut would be fabulous
- Donation of any travel information and brochures that you might have collected to the Hanover Information Hut