Page 2 - KZN Business Sense 8.4

DRIVEN BY THE NEED TO EMPOWER

OTHERS

usiness sense may be defined to provide news, insights and business gurus in their respective A unique opportunity to help
as keenness and quickness in information to enable business industries. contribute to the protection
Bunderstanding and dealing people to be better informed on a Andy Gywnn’s masterclasses on of wildlife in KwaZulu-
with a business situation (risks and variety of topics. These partners LinkedIn are very insightful and Natal exists through the KWAZULU-NATAL
opportunities) in a manner that is include: offer much practical advice on how establishment of a new game
likely to lead to a good outcome. ■ Marlene Powell (ActionCoach), to use LinkedIn more effectively. reserve – see pages 12 and 13. BUSINESS CHAMBERS
As the challenges of the past few Page 5 Read his latest article on page five COUNCIL:
years have shown, we always need ■ Monique Labat (Monique and follow the links to watch or The business leaders in KwaZulu-
to be ready for the next test. The Labat Consulting), Page 4 rewatch his webinar. Natal continues to amaze by Chairperson: Dominic Collett
dynamic world we live in waits for ■ Invest Durban, Page 6 their innovation, commitment,
no one. ■ Cox Yeats Attorneys, Page 7 Johan van Deventer provides resilience and by their sense of Physical Address: Pencarrow
responsibility to helping others
The front page and page 3 article ■ Everest Strategic much insight into compliance who are undergoing adversity. Park, 1 Pencarrow Crescent,
through his article on the
feature Portio Dlamini, founder Communications, Page 10 Consumer Protection Act The Standard Bank KZN Top La Lucia Ridge, 4051.
and CEO of Emakheni Cleaning ■ Dr Fareed Amod (Crown on page 2. Don’t miss the Business Awards recognise these
& Industrial Solutions. Portio’s Dental Studio), Page 14 LabourNet webinar on achievements and the shortlisted Postal Address: P.O. Box 335,
career path has shown much good ■ David White (DRG & the Protection of Personal nominees are featured on page 11 Umhlanga Rocks, Durban 4320.
business sense, in addition to being BusinessFit (Pty) Ltd), Page 16 Information – see page 15. of this edition. We look forward
driven by the need to empower In addition to the tabloid, we to sharing the details of the Te: +27 (0)31 575 5500
We congratulate Vivian Reddy,
other people. offer the KZN Top Business chairman of the Radisson Blu winners in the next edition of Email: dominic.collett@zutari.com
Through the articles in KZN Masterclass series which Hotel Durban Umhlanga, on the Business Sense. If you wish to
Business Sense, we and our provide great opportunities to opening of this new hotel – see watch the streamed event visit Website: www.kznchamber.co.za
featured editorial partners, hope learn directly from some of the pages 8 and 9. www.kzntopbusiness.com. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Johan van Deventer, suppliers of goods and services protection from discriminatory with both Acts at once, as well have started taking notice of
KZN Regional Manager, within South Africa need to business practice. The right to as indirectly assisting the said the fine print on our purchases.
LabourNet comply with the requirements protection against discrimination company by giving them the The Consumer Protection Act
set out in the Act. Certain ensures equality (a constitutional necessary tools to watch out requires suppliers and service
ave exceptions to compliance such value), in that no supplier may for ‘red flags’ in respect of daily providers to display labelling and
you as the State are identified in limit access of their goods and interactions with their own descriptions on their packaging
Hever the Act. services or prioritise certain clients and suppliers. that are not misleading to their
purchased groups of consumers over others consumers. Trademark protection
a beautiful The aim of the Act are as follows: when marketing and selling their It is important for businesses as is also covered in the Act.
shawl online ■ Establish national standards to products. Consumers are also well as individuals to understand
only to be ensure consumer protection that the CPA has far reaching In conclusion, understanding
left with ■ Promote a fair and sustainable given the right to query the quality consequences related to our the Consumer Protection Act is
an ugly marketplace for consumer of the goods supplied to them in everyday interactions. Whether imperative in order to facilitate
dishcloth products and services terms of the Act. Complaints need it be cancelling a reservation or good business, leisure, and many
once your package had been to be lodged with the National renewing a fixed-term agreement, other interactions. So when
delivered? Or maybe ordered ■ Promote responsible behaviour Consumer Commission who will the Act has you covered. There is that anniversary diamond ring
lollipops for your kid’s birthday by consumers then refer the said complaint to even provision made for a right that you ordered starts looking
party and ended up with a ■ Make provision for improved the Equality court. to request pre-authorisation suspiciously like a cubic zirconia,
box full of crushed candy. standards of consumer The Consumer Protection Act for maintenance or repair remember that LabourNet and
Technology and globalisation information as well as prohibit services, a simple step that if the Consumer Protection Act
have made great strides in the unfair marketing and business and the Protection of Personal not utilised often leads to major have you covered! 
goods and services available practices Information Act (POPIA) inconvenience for the consumer.
to a consumer. One cannot both emphasise the fact that a In addition to making life more
fathom that only fifty years ■ Establish the National consumer cannot be forced into convenient, gaining a good T: +27 (0)31 266 6570
C: +27 (0)82 786 7480
ago, cellphones were a rare Consumer Commission unsolicited direct marketing, understanding of the Act serves E: johanvd@labournet.com
occurrence. However, the Any individual consumer has the option to opt-out of such as a deterrent for the supplier in W: www.labournet.com
fast-paced consumer industry, acting in his or her own capacity, marketing and cannot be forced respect of reputational damage.
though extremely convenient, authorised to act on behalf of to enter into supplier agreements
can ever so often leave a another or representing the with third parties. Given these Remember, if your customer
consumer feeling ‘cat-fished’ interests of a group of people, may similarities, the Information orders ice-cream and your driver
so to speak. The good news is lodge a complaint in terms of the Compliance Department at delivers milkshake instead, you
that as South Africans, we have CPA. The CPA gives effect to the LabourNet has opted to offer our are not likely to secure any long
recourse in the form of the consumer rights enshrined in the newly launched CPA product as time business.
Consumer Protection Act (CPA). SCAN
Bill of Rights, including the right a value-add to all POPI retainer There has been a global rise in QR CODE
The CPA sets out the to fair and honest dealing, fair clients. This add-on will save a health consciousness among the
minimum requirements to and honest marketing, reasonable company/client both time and average consumer. As medical TO SEE
ensure adequate consumer terms and conditions, the right to money by directly assisting the and environmental research VIDEO
protection in South Africa. All equality in the marketplace and company in becoming compliant advances, we (the consumer)

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