August 2024

Insurance payout... or not

You may recall me looking into this topic a couple of years back - in the hope of helping GHASA members.

Unbeknown to me, if you want alternative quotes, the big brokers ask, or rather have the underwriters who they work with, to make sure that the quotes are not materially changed if being called for by an alternate broker.

So the result is... less negotiating power as the consumer.

The real eye opener happened to a friend of mine with a game lodge in the Eastern Cape that had been insured with SATIB since he purchased the property three years ago. Before that, the property was insured by SATIB for 20 years. 

Anyway, in December 2022, the lodge burned down and to date, there has yet be a payout.

Now, Kikuyu deals with SATIB, which is supposed to be, and essentially is, the broker taking the money each month and their percentage of the premium. I would think they have a duty to act on behalf of both parties. 

In January 2023, GHASA met with SATIB to discuss the process of payout. 

Well, the underwriter, Santam, refuses to pay, based on a bunch of details they say were not complied with. SATIB is now the messenger, with the news, washing their hands of it.

Aside from the fact above, SATIB continues to deduct the full monthly fee for the next eight months, even though the lodge is completely burnt to the ground! I kid you not. 

Kikuyu has to give formal notice, "Hey, you're taking our money for a lodge that is not there!"

They (SATIB) are yet to show when they came to the property to say, as the broker, " This is what you need to fix or attend to in order to remain covered," something that is the crux of this message this month.

They are but one brokerage, and a large one, focused on the tourism sector. I told their director, back on the 18th of July, that I would be bringing this to the attention of the GHASA industry. Well, he has yet to even call me to discuss this matter. And by the 5th of August, he was still looking into the matter. 

I said to him, "This is called playing for time."

Clearly it is an industry that has its customers by the proverbial you know what, and all I can say as advice for this windy, cold month of August is: 

Call your broker, insist they visit your property and give you a letter stating clearly that they have checked your property, and it is all 100% good to be insured. That way, I believe at least you can hold the broker accountable and they will then be on the line. 

I am not sure how things are going to pan out with this matter, but I can't see how, after 23 years of paying R20k a month to a broker, in this case, SATIB can simply exonerate themselves.

Maybe I am wrong. 

I wanted to warn you, the property owners, to check up on your insurance in order to hopefully avoid a similar issue. I will keep you posted on how this matter pans out. Maybe the lodge owner was completely wrong and has no leg to stand on... and it will for sure be a lesson for us all who have insurance.

Regards,
Richard Lendrum & the GHASA team

The countdown is on to SARCDA Christmas 2024

Preparations for SARCDA Christmas 2024 are in full swing and registrations are now open for trade buyers. Coming just in time to stock shelves for the festive season, SARCDA Christmas is the continent’s premier gift, fashion, décor and design trend showcase, and this year’s edition promises to be a real showstopper. 

We already have more than 200 exhibitors signed up, 35 of which are new to our exhibition. We are strictly a trade only exhibition and bona fide trade buyers are invited to sign up as VIP buyers. Once verified, buyers will be added to our database and will not need to register for future exhibitions. Verification is quick and easy – with buyers simply required to provide a VAT certificate or company registration document to verify their trade buyer status.

It is an often-repeated marketing maxim that people prefer to do business with people they know and trust. SARCDA exhibitions provide exhibitors and buyers with valuable opportunities to network, strengthen their bonds with existing contacts, identify new business opportunities and make new contacts.

SARCDA Christmas takes place over three days at Gallager Convention Centre from Wednesday, 14 to Friday, 16 August 2024.

Trade buyers can apply to register as buyers by visiting www.sarcda.co.za.

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Sign up here: https://adt.co.za/campaign/guesthouse-digital-campaign/

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Smart Pineapple

Authentic Experiences: Local Gems and Unique Activities


Make your property a true destination. Highlight authentic experiences, locl gems, and unique activities to attract more gues. Collaborate with your community to showcase what makes your area special and build demand. Here's how:

  • Promote Local Attractions: Showcase nearby gems that reflect local culture and charm
  • Create Exciting Travel Routes or Itneraries: Develop routes linking multiple local attractions to boost overall spending while creating memorable experiences
  • Collaborative Marketing: Partner with local businesses for bundles experiences and cross-promote on social media


For more tips, check out Smart Pineapple's blog.

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Beez Hospitality

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Jenev

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Viking Beds

Viking Beds is a 100% South African owned mattress and bed set manufacturer. We are SADC (Southern African Development Community) registered and a licenced exporter.

We offer a delivery service nationally within South Africa and internationally into the SADC countries. Owned by an engineer, our mattresses and bed sets are designed and manufactured to meet and exceed the requirements of the hospitality industry.
 

All our mattresses are turn (flip) and rotate.

At Viking Beds, you are guaranteed a high-quality product at hospitality pricing.   

Viking Beds is CPIC & Vat registered.  

 

We manufacture a range of high-quality beds, including Bonnell Spring, pocket spring, pillow top, foam mattresses, and bed-sets, mattress toppers, mattress converters, and base converters.

Available in Single to King size and Super King size, in standard or extra length. All mattresses are turn (flip) and rotate.

We offer a national and international delivery service.

 
 

Western Cape

Viking Beds

Lindsey O’Neill

Sales & Marketing Manager

Tel: 087 806 3735

Cell: 083 783 5003

E-mail: [email protected]

Gauteng

KDCD

Hilton Watson/Mercedes Aucamp

Office 26 Waterford Office Park

Maroeladal

Tel: 010-534-5817

E-mail: [email protected]

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Linen Drawer

Traditional Redefined


Traditions give a certain meaning to our lives – without them we would be constantly re-inventing the world around us.

I immediately think of embroidery when you say ‘traditional’. Hand-made, time consuming, and utterly lovely for generations. At Linen Drawer we use a particular embroidery method to hemstitch our table linen for clients, adding beauty and traditional appeal.

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