ENG1504 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025

Description

ENG1504 Assignment 1 Semester 1 | Due March 2025. WRITING SKILLS IN WORKPLACE CORRESPONDENCE
Please read the following guidelines before attempting to answer this assignment:
The purpose of this question is to assess your ability to record minutes of a meeting accurately and objectively, using formal language. This requires you to do the necessary preparatory reading so that you can answer the question adequately.
Work through Study Unit 1 and Study Unit 2 in the Study Guide before attempting to answer this question.
MINUTES OF A MEETING
BACKGROUND
Madikoe Holdings is a property agent contracted to manage San Packett Residential Property owned by Ms Louisa. This property is situated in the precinct of Santa Mario city. For the past 15 years the property generated a revenue of R5,5 million per annum. However, in the past three years, from 2022 to 2024, the revenue has dropped significantly by 50% since Madikoe Holdings was contracted to manage the residential property. The apartments are dilapidated, lifts are not working, and there is no security personnel to control access of visitors to the building. Ms Louisa has called an urgent meeting with the Body Corporate, Management of Madikoe Holdings, and representatives of the tenants to discuss strategies to return the building to its original state.
INSTRUCTIONS
Below is a transcript (exact words written down) of what was said under the relevant agenda item 2.1 presented in the form of a dialogue. As the secretary of the body corporate, it is your duty to take minutes during meetings. At this point, the meeting is discussing agenda item 2.1: strategies to return the San Packett Residential Property to its original state. Write minutes of the meeting for agenda 2.1 only. This means that the complete format for minutes is not required. Remember that in taking minutes, we carefully select and summarise information, and make changes to style and grammar. Note that you should not record what each person said in turn. You should use the linear format (in sentences and paragraphs) of minutes. Your minutes should be about 1 page in length.
TRANSCRIPT:
Mr Donaldson (Chair): It’s my pleasure to welcome you in this meeting, although it was called at short notice. Ladies and gentlemen, without any waste of time, I want us to move to agenda item 2.1 strategies to return the San Packett Residential Property to its original state. We all know that our rental business at San Packett Residential Property has collapsed. The property is vandalised and tenants have terminated their lease agreements- very little income is generated.
Ms Mthombeni: It’s a pity that we can’t unscramble eggs. If I knew who these vandals are, and who is looting the funds that were intended for managing this property, I would ensure that they are locked in jail, and keys are thrown away forever. Guys, I don’t think you know who I am! Do you?
Ms Louisa: Ms Mthombeni, we understand your frustration as one of the tenants who has been renting a flat in this property for donkeys’ years. The property was indeed everything to you! Now, let’s discuss the matter at hand about returning the residential property to its original state. Think about new strategies that can be used to change the status quo of this property, it could be in terms of raising funds, better ways to manage the property or anything else.
Mr Donaldson: I fully agree with you, Ms Louisa. Stop complaining and provide suggestions, please?
Dr Farai: As a member of the body corporate, I think it could be advisable that we apply for a bank loan so that the property is refurbished. What about applying for a R2 million loan? Is that too much or too little?
Mr Phenyo: Oh, my goodness! How on earth can you just simply suggest such exorbitant amounts of money. Do you know what is the monthly repayment amount for this R2 million? To be orderly, this is what should be done. We should first hire a contractor who will inspect the damages on the property and provide a quotation of building material needed for refurbishment. Furthermore, the quotation should also include labour expenses.
Dr Farai: Mr Phenyo, you are unnecessarily complicating things here. Now we need to think about a qualified contractor who can provide a quotation for the above-mentioned things. Additionally, who will pay for this quotation because it’s not free of charge?
Ms Louisa: Gentlemen, there is no need to fight about this issue of money now. We have a matter that needs our undivided attention. Anyway, I am ready to pay for the contractor’s call out fee. Companies do not charge for quotation.
Gen Sithole: On Friday last week, while jogging along Tambo street, I saw Mr Sadiki’s company refurbishing a dilapidated shopping complex. Apart from this project, this company has built five properties and completed them on time in our neighbourhood. We can also request the secretary of the body corporate to look for other renowned companies and the necessary vetting can be done. Do you support my suggestions, ladies and gentlemen?
All: Yes sir!
Ms Louisa: From here, what is our next step? Ms Thembeka: When a suitable contractor is hired, we request him/her to email us the quotation in three weeks. Then, Ms Louisa should approach the banks to apply for a loan. Once the loan is approved, the refurbishment process may commence as soon as possible.
Mr Boyza: How do you commence with refurbishment process when there are tenants inside the building? I suggest that we give them a 30-day notice to vacate the building. Those who might not want to leave the property, should be dealt with by law enforcement officers, I mean the Green Berets group.
Ms Louisa: Oh please colleagues, that would be too harsh. Let us rather hold a meeting with the tenants and negotiate with them to allow us space and time to return the property to its original state. As we are about to conclude this meeting, I must announce to everyone present here that we have terminated our service contract with Madikoe Holdings because of the mismanagement of funds and negligence of our property. Advocate Ntshali has already written a letter and his secretary has delivered it to their offices.
Mr Donaldson: I am happy about this decision and I propose closure of this meeting.
All: Supported chair!
TOTAL: 100 Marks