As the Western Cape and Northern Cape branch of the national FEDHASA lobbying body cum watchdog for the South African hospitality industry, FEDHASA Cape has a host of benefits for members - not least FEDHASA Cape membership fees can be written off against SABC 25% discounts on the annual TV licence, as offered to members. This translates into a saving of effectively R56.25 per television set. For a one hundred room property, this equates to a saving of R 5 650 per annum.

As for the latest FEDHASA Cape member benefit, FEDHASA Cape Chairperson Phillip Couvaras says that the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) is now able to offer FEDHASA Cape members a special discount of 20% before VAT on the SAMPRA invoice.

"FEDHASA Cape offers a multitude of benefits to its members, not least the ability to assist our members with strategies that minimise costs, facilitate marketing and retain jobs for employees at all times," he adds

Commenting on the latest membership benefit, he explains: "Under the amendments to the Copyright Act and the Performers' Protection Act in 2002, copyright owners of sound recordings and performers will now also derive benefit from broadcast, diffusion such as music-on-hold on a switchboard, and communication of their sound recordings in any public or commercial environment by a third party user in the course of such user's commercial or business activities, for example, background music played in a retail outlet or restaurant."

In order to qualify for the SAMPRA discount, FEDHASA Cape members need to :

• Apply to SAMPRA for a licence by not later than 15 August 2009. Visit the FEDHASA Cape website www.fedhasacape.co.za to download the SAMPRA application form.
• Any new members joining FEDHASA would have to apply for a SAMPRA licence within 3 months after confirmed FEDHASA Membership in order to qualify for the 20 % discount.
• Resigned Members will have their discounts reversed.
• Those members who have already paid will be credited with the 20 % on their Renewal Invoice.

"As if this is not sufficient reason to sign up as a FEDHASA Cape member," says Couvaras, "there are dozens of other value-adding membership benefits."

Says FEDHASA Youth Segment Chairperson Nompile ‘Gugu' Ncube - a post-graduate student at Cape Town Hotel School: "It is still early days for the youth's involvement as FEDHASA Cape members and already the support is phenomenal! We are getting invited to networking and business events that mean a lot to the youth and are an essential step in the bridging of new entrants and industry players."

"In order to be effective and create constructive harmony between the too often conflicting ideas of experienced and inexperienced hospitality players," she adds, "it helps if the two parties can share ideas, explain situations and find progressive solutions to help each other and the industry grow. We are really looking forward to more good things as we are carefully guided by FEDHASA Cape," she says.

Carole Armstrong-Hooper is Deputy Chairperson of FEDHASA Cape's Small Accommodation Segment. She says she joined in the beginning to find out more about the Hospitality industry as it was new to her back then.

"The benefit of the reduced TV licence was an additional incentive - with scope for further incentives of this nature," she says. "Particularly in troubled times, it is interesting to hear what is happening in the hospitality field closer to home in the Western Cape. Also, generally in the smaller accommodation group sessions, we were able to discuss the implications of new legislations on labour-related topics, legal issues and to share general staffing problems and solutions."

What sets FEDHASA aside from other associations?

FEDHASA has 2 Registrations :

1. FEDHASA is registered as a Section 21 company (NOT for gain) with its National office situated at Midrand, Gauteng, with three regional offices (including FEDHASA Cape), each of which operates as a trade association;

2. FEDHASA is also registered as an employers' body with the Department of Labour, giving employers who are FEDHASA Cape members direct representation at Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) level, should the need arise.

With the assistance of FEDHASA Cape's specialised industry Labour Relations Consultants, we have helped well in excess of 200 members during the past year in this regard, saving the industry hundreds and thousands of Rands.

FEDHASA Cape membership benefits include:

* Special Rates, Benefits and Rewards with ABSA Card
* Merchant Discount Fees including Terminal Rental
* Maintenance Costs
* Cheque Verification
* Free Installation
* From ABSA Workplace Banking:
* Free Financial Services Training
* Home Loans at reduced rates
* Vehicle Finance at reduced rates
* Personal Loans
* Micro Loans
* Employers' Body status for CCMA representation
* SABC TV Licence 25% discount
* SAMPRA discounts - 20%
* Legislative Information and Advice
* HR Advice
* Liquor Licence Advice and Assistance
* Specialised Training Courses at reduced rates
* Business Insurance Packages
* Pension Fund Packages
* Star Grading Help and Assistance
* Direct link from our Website to your Website
* Complimentary Hospitality Magazine
* Regular access to free Workshops and Forums
* Access to Industry Product and Service Providers - member discounts available
* Bi-monthly Newsletter
* ‘Commercial Break' Newsletter from our Product & Service Providers
* Networking Opportunities
* Helplines

Since its establishment in 1949, FEDHASA has become known as the lobbying body and watchdog for the Southern African hospitality industry locally, nationally and in all tiers of governments on tourism, legislation, trading conditions, taxation, education and related industry issues. The association services 5 segments, i.e. hotels, small accommodation, restaurants and catering, suppliers of products and services to the industry and now also a Youth segment.

For any further enquiries, please visit www.fedhasacape.co.za / www.fedhasa.co.za, e-mail fedhasacape@fedhasa.co.za, or call FEDHASA Cape on (021) 552 9870.