Welcome to Winter!  We have so many wonderful things to share with you.

We know about busy people, and we know your days are full with activity, deadlines and deliveries. So we thank you for taking time out to read the restaurant voice and hope you are sitting comfortably with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and some tasty sweet treats.

RASA is your business and we want you to feel part of something important.  Everyone at RASA is committed to the industry and we are doing valuable things for everyone involved.  We value your support and input and any ideas that walk through the door.

We have embarked on many exciting projects and have added to our list of benefits. We trust that you enjoy what we have brought to the table.
We host wonderful breakfasts, wine tasting and executive dinners for CEO’s, Directors and senior industry players at various restaurants around the country and thank all our members who attend and support these events.

We discuss pertinent issues relating to the industry and tackle these head on with our strong team of 14 staff.  We have consulted with industry and our colaborated associations with regards to issues like: Eskom’s plan; The minimum wage bill; The FDA act; The consumer Bill ; The Landlord best practices plan and other areas that industry may need RASA to act on.  Our appointed attornye’s Andrew Scarrott and Nic Telentis, draw attention to these concerns surrounding restaurants, franchisees, franchisors as well as all QSR restaurants.  Input is regularly forwarded on behalf of RASA to yourselves.

We are curently and ongoing tackling the issue of high rentals and uncompetitve lease clauses with key property developers and shopping centre owners.  We are working hand in hand with SACCSA and CGCSA to establish a code of conduct moving forward on rentals and lease content.  We will revert in due course.
We have embarked on input with the BEE liquor steercom code 500 and are requesting your input on this matter as to whether or not eating establishments should form part of this new code.

We have had a tremendous response to the launch of our Redb project (The restaurant employee database).  You can verification staff employment and keep abreast  of the development of the RASA training academy.  We aim to list around 45 000 employees by year end.  
The key focus of Redb is to effectively verify employees details and employment history, manage staff turnover, regulate employment in the industry, ascertain skills shortages and training needs, develop a skills qualification industry specific, train unskilled labour prior to entry into the industry and centralize all industry training and qualifications.  Redb will also effectively assist RASA to lockdown syndicates and crime in the industry.  Please visit our website www.redb.co.za

We have also launched RASA ANTI CRIME CAMPAIGN in conjunction with The Shopping Centre Security Initiative.  The Security Initiative, a partnership between the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa and Business Against Crime South Africa (BAC) is aimed at addressing violent crimes at shopping centre’s. The Initiative and project is managed by BAC.  Please remember to log all you statistics regarding any CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES on our website under report a robbery, in order for RASA to compile the crime hot spot report.  Your input is valuable to us and we urge you to support this initiative.

On our Training portfolio, we have launched THE RASA TRAINING ACADAMY and offer a variety of short skill and scarce skills courses.  Some feedback on THETA- they are once again calling on your support for the updating of the currently endorsed Sector Skills Plan (SSP).  You might have been aware that whilst the SSP offer a list of scarce skills and critical skills, it does so on a national basis. This means it falls short on painting a provincial scenario. 

It is against this background that THETA has identified the need to run focus groups on a provincial basis in order to ascertain specific needs in line with the provincial growth and development strategy.  Furthermore, it is THETA’s wish to crystallize the skills needs by Chamber and RASA will be involved in this process. 
Another exciting project is our link to RB magazine as RASA’s official publication.  We have editorial pages which will contain only information pertinent to the restaurant industry and will be RASA’s official communication tool to all our members.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the focus that RASA stands for - To be a “one voice” umbrella organization for the restaurant industry in addition to being the port of call by government for all consultations relating to the industry.  We promote the industry through relevant strategic leadership interventions for example with relevant government departments, suppliers to the restaurant industry and other key stakeholders.  We have become the information and communications hub for the restaurant industry.  We promote ethical business & employment practices, including compliance to the regulatory framework.

We look forward to all your patrons and members to indulge in tantalizing warm winter treats and marvelous menus.  Feel free to send us your news reviews and specials.
So…thank goodness for red wine & warm fires in your restaurants! Just another reason to treat ourselves and find an excuse to visit your fab restaurant
Even winter has her subtle beauty.  Enjoy! And remember culinary excellence always.

Wendy Alberts
CEO